Welcome Sue Pilkington to the role of Director of Clinical Services

She was previously employed as Executive Director, Women Youth and Children at Canberra Health Services. Sue has over 30 years’ experience working in various clinical, operational and strategic roles in acute and community hospitals. Sue brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team from regional and metro healthcare. Sue’s diverse experience will contribute to our strategic priorities to strengthen our patient care and continue to develop sustainable services to our community.

Sue has strong clinical background in emergency departments with senior nursing roles in London and most recently Adelaide within SA Health.  She was qualified as a nurse practitioner in the UK managing a metro urgent care centre for all ages from infants to elderly. She has worked in several University educator roles and maintains her qualification as resuscitation instructor (ALS1 & ALS2). Sue also holds a statutory appointment as approved practitioner for professional hearing panels of the Nursing and Midwifery National Board.

Her experience has included various leadership roles across medical and aged care specialities including a dementia ward, intermediate care, disability, neurology & stroke. As Matron of several community hospitals, Sue has coordinated delivery of healthcare including theatre and dental services.

As Quality & Safety Director of a NHS organisation, Sue had oversight of clinical governance systems, delivered successful accreditation and implemented several sustainable system changes. Sue has supported and participated alongside many teams with different change programs including implementation of digital medical records in a number of organisations.

After moving from the UK 7 years ago with her husband and son, she has been working in various leadership positions in Adelaide and Canberra. In both locations Sue has been a lead clinician or director during minor and major refurbishment projects. Hospital operational management is a familiar component of Sues career and she has considerable experience with patient flow, bed management, staffing and on call functions.

Sue advocates the importance of team culture and the contribution of each individual towards our collective ability as a team to deliver healthcare. We can each make a difference to every patient. Sue also loves partnering with local community groups with healthcare but especially with fundraising endeavours, often encouraging a dress up theme and an excuse for taking photos!

Sue has been fortunate to travel widely including volunteering as a project medic in Tanzania which required learning Swahili (unfortunately this has all been forgotten). Sue is delighted to have settled, recently become an Australian citizen and to call Adelaide her home.