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A newly created role in the Central Adelaide Local Health Network is set to strengthen links among nurses in South Australian hospitals and tertiary nursing educators and SA Health executives.
The role, executive director of nursing, is to be shared by Professor Alison Kitson, head of the University of Adelaide’s school of nursing, and chief nurse and midwifery officer Lydia Dennett, SA Health.
This joint appointment represents an integrated approach to nursing in South Australia, said Professor Justin Beilby, executive dean of the faculty of health sciences at the University of Adelaide.
“Bringing teaching, policy, clinical practice and research together will ensure the highest quality, professional nursing workforce today, and in the future,” said Beilby.
The appointment recognises South Australian nurses’ value and contribution in the delivery of health reforms, particularly in patient care.
Kitson and Dennett will share the post with two distinct set of responsibilities.
Dennett will be executive director of nursing – quality and governance, while Kitson will be executive director of nursing – innovation and reform, which includes tasks on models of care and workforce planning.
Kitson and Dennett will continue their functions at the University of Adelaide and SA Health, respectively, while working in the overarching joint role in Central Adelaide.
“This is a significant step in raising the voice of nursing in South Australia,” said Kitson. “I am delighted to take up this new challenge. It really underpins the importance of building a highly professional and responsive nursing presence in South Australia.”
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