Long Serving Taranaki DHB Chief Executive Resigns

Long Serving Taranaki DHB Chief Executive Resigns

Pauline Lockett, Taranaki DHB Chair today announced with regret the resignation of Tony Foulkes after 12 years as Chief Executive of Taranaki District Health Board.

Mrs Lockett said, “Tony is one of the longest serving DHB CEOs in the country. He has made a major contribution to the growth and development of health services for the Taranaki community as CEO, and has shown great drive and determination in addressing the many challenges along the way. ”

Tony initially joined the organisation as Manager for Central & South Taranaki services in 1996 for two years, and returned to Taranaki in 2003 after working as Chief Operating Officer at MidCentral DHB. He was instrumental in securing the support of the Ministry of Health, government, staff and the community for Project Maunga the major campus redevelopment at Taranaki Base Hospital, and successfully led the project through design, build and opening.

Mrs Lockett said, “Tony’s inclusive and supportive leadership style has enabled a number of innovations locally, and the development of a well respected high performing organisation, focused on doing the best for patients. He continues to advocate strongly for further integration of hospital and community based services, and further development of Maori health services to better serve our community.”

“Tony has built a very capable leadership team within the DHB who will continue the hard work together with many others. He has also played a significant role in a range of areas regionally and nationally over the years including leading a number of workforce development groups and being an inaugural member of the National Health IT Board,” she added.

Tony Foulkes said “It has been a great privilege to have worked alongside so many talented and dedicated people here in Taranaki.”

“Clinical staff working in hospitals, PHOs and many community settings should rightly be acknowledged for the amazing work they do. However I’ve always been struck by the huge range of non-clinical and support staff as well as friends, families and carers who all play a vital role in working together to help one another in our community. It’s not easy at times, but people matter and people care, so want to play their part - that’s what I’ve loved about working in health and particularly here in Taranaki,” said Mr Foulkes.

After 23 years in senior health management roles, Mr Foulkessaid “I will always be close to health, however I am keen to extend my skills and work in the area of community development and human rights, including in an international context.”

Mrs Lockett confirmed that Tony would be leaving at the end of the month, and the Board would be looking to appoint a permanent replacement as soon as possible. In the meantime Rosemary Clements will be Acting Chief Executive.

ends

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