AIIA NSW Health Briefing – Rural LHD’s

Executive Director ICT, Hunter New England LHD

Chris is responsible for leading, planning and managing the provision of safe, effective, efficient and connected information and communication technology for the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). HNELHD spans over 130,000 square kilometres, provides services for around 900,000 people and is comprised of over 16,000 staff delivering healthcare in a large range of rural, regional and metropolitan settings.

Chris is an experienced technology director with diverse skills including strategy & governance, contract negotiation and people, project and change management. Previous senior ICT roles within NSW Health include Director ICT Infrastructure at Sydney LHD and IT Operations & Infrastructure Manager at Western Sydney LHD. He has also held senior ICT leadership roles in the human services and resource recovery sectors.

Chris has completed a Master of Business and Technology from the University of New South Wales and is currently undertaking a Master of Health Management and Master of Public Health specialising in Public Security.

Chief Technology Officer, Information, Communications & Technology Services, Mid North Coast Local Health District

David Drane is an information professional with more than 40 years’ experience in the application of information technology to solve real world problems. He has worked in the NSW public health system for the last 25 years in roles including IT Manager, Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer. David has overseen the introduction of the Cerner Electronic Medical Record in the hospitals and community health services across the NSW north coast from Tweed Heads in the north, to Port Macquarie in the south.

David has a keen interest in using modern technology tools to bridge distance gaps to improve clinical and corporate communication and collaboration to complement patient centred care, including greater use of telehealth.