More women than ever are sitting on hospital boards, thanks to an Andrews Labor Government push to ensure equality and diversity among Victoria’s healthcare leaders.

As Victoria celebrates Women’s Health Week, Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today announced the Labor Government has gone above and beyond targets set just two years ago for health service board appointments.

In 2017, women now make up 54 per cent of all Victorian health service and public hospital service board members, compared to just 45 per cent in 2015. There are now more than 400 women on Victorian hospital boards – an increase of more than 70.

The change in rural and regional Victoria has been particularly phenomenal with women’s representation on hospital boards increasing from 43 per cent in 2015, to 51 per cent in 2016 and 54 per cent in 2017.

In 2015, the Labor Government committed to 50 per cent of all new paid public board appointments being women. For hospitals, this was expanded to include all unpaid boards. We have now well and truly exceeded this goal, in paid and unpaid positions.

To achieve this success, we joined forces with women’s associations and professional bodies to encourage highly-qualified, talented and experienced women applicants by raising awareness of opportunities with their members and audiences.

This included the Country Women’s Association, Victorian Women’s Lawyers (of the Law Institute of Victoria), the Women Barristers Association (of the Victorian Bar), the Victorian Women’s Health Association, Women on Boards, the Victorian Healthcare Association, and Certified Practicing Accountants Australia.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“It’s important that hospital boards truly represent the communities they serve – and that means supporting and actively encouraging highly-qualified, talented women to apply for important leadership roles.”

“We have worked hard to get a greater representation of women on hospital boards to improve diversity and provide better and safer care for patients.”

“Our rural boards should be especially proud. They are wonderful role models for small communities and show the difference that women leaders can make.”