WA Country Health Service has lost its well respected Chief Executive Kim Snowball, who has been called upon to fill the gap left by the resignation of Dr Peter Flett from the untenable position of Director General of Health. Health Minister Kim Hames announced the appointment today.
It is little consolation to Country Health Service staff that the appointment is a temporary one for six months while an independent selection process is carried out for a permanent candidate. The position is seen by many as a poisoned chalice, being impossible to fulfil the Health needs of the State within the current financial constraints imposed by the current government.
With his predecessor only surviving two years in the job, it is hoped that Snowball will be able to return to his former position before the Treasurer’s axe falls again. Meanwhile, he would do well to reflect on the story of the Emperor who had no clothes, before making public comment on a Department with no realistic budget.