News

MDAS appoints new health chief

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 04:32:00

An experienced and respected Mildura health professional and administrator has been appointed to head the Mallee District Aboriginal Services’ health clinics and services.

David Kirby was previously the Director of Mental Health Services at Mildura Base Hospital until he took up an appointment as the General Manager of Health Services at MDAS last week.
His role is to supervise MDAS health services and clinics in Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang and to enhance and improve the collaboration between the organisation’s services.
Mr Kirby said his experience in the hospital setting was part of his motivation for taking up the MDAS role.
“As the Director of Mental Health Services at the hospital, I also managed the Aboriginal Health Unit and that gave me a really clear understanding of the health challenges that Aboriginal people face,” Mr Kirby said.
“Mildura Base Hospital has more Aboriginal admissions than any other hospital in Victoria and in general, Aboriginal  people are much more likely to spend time in hospital,” he said.
“The chronic disease issues such as diabetes, cardiac and renal diseases are key factors and for the long-term, the only solution is to intervene at a primary health level to improve those health outcomes.”
Mr Kirby, a Registered Nurse with post graduate qualification in Psychiatric Nursing and Management, has been nursing for 20 years, with experience in general and psychiatric nursing.  He worked in Melbourne and overseas before returning to Mildura almost 12 years ago to take up a position as the Inpatient Nurse Unit Manager at Mildura Base before becoming the Director of Mental Health Services. During that time Mr Kirby spent a year on secondment to Mildura Rural City Council as the Flood Recovery Manager in 2011.
Mr Kirby said his experience in the local health industry and the Sunraysia community would assist in the important task of developing more networks and partnerships with key stakeholders to achieve improvements to Aboriginal health.
“I think MDAS is certainly heading in the right direction in providing quality health services for Aboriginal people, through strong leadership at the senior management and board level and I’m excited about having an opportunity to be part of that,” Mr Kirby said.
“I think that my experience and skills can assist MDAS and the local community in helping to bring about positive health outcomes and promote and celebrate Aboriginal culture.”