DISCUSSIONS between Noosa MP Glen Elmes, councillor Ingrid Jackson and Kevin Hegarty, chief executive of Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, have led to the appointment of a Noosa representative on the Community Reference Group of the new public Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
The 15-member group is made up of local health users, health providers and residents from across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
It was formed in 2010 to help plan and inform the community about the $1.97 billion public hospital which is due to open in April 2017 at Birtinya, near Kawana.
“We are very pleased that Noosa resident Jo Searle has been selected to represent Noosa on the SCUH Community Reference Group,” Mr Elmes said.
Cr Jackson said Ms Searle will play a vital role for Noosa in providing community feedback on the project and making Noosa residents more aware.
Ms Searle, who lives in Noosaville and is an active member of the Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club, has a background in community engagement and project management.
“I’m excited about the new leading edge hospital and about this opportunity to keep the Noosa community informed and get resident feedback,” Ms Searle said.
“I’ll be attending my first meeting in November.”
Residents can contact Jo Searle at noosaideas.scuhospital@gmail.com.