Shaun Drummond, Queensland Health’s Acting Director-General and former Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed as the new Director-General, following a trans-Tasman recruitment search.

Drummond has had a long career within the Queensland health system, having served in a range of operational and departmental leadership roles since 2011.

He previously served as the Chief Executive of Metro North Hospital and Health Service, which, with a budget of over $3.5 billion and more than 25,000 employees, is the largest district health service in Australia.

“As Queensland Health’s Acting Director-General, Mr Drummond has been leading a substantive reform process and I look forward to continuing to work with him as we deal with the challenges and opportunities ahead of us,” said Queensland’s Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath.

“Mr Drummond has a deep understanding of the current Queensland health reform agenda and has well-established networks and system credibility in Queensland.

“He has over 20 years’ experience in the public health sector and has led in two countries, here in Australia in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, as well as in New Zealand.”

Minister D’Ath added that Drummond has proven his ability to “lead in complex and challenging environments and has a clear vision for the department”.

Earlier in his career, Drummond served as Deputy Chief Executive of the Western Sydney Local Health District, and was a lead partner for health and hospital transformation with Deloitte.