Consumers Health Forum congratulates Adjunct Professor Debora Picone AO on her retirement as CEO of the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC).

CHF CEO, Elizabeth Deveny said that CHF was in gratitude to Professor Picone for her long-standing contribution to safety and quality in health.

“Professor Picone’s leadership in quality and safety is significant and every Australian would be standing and cheering if they knew more about the role of the Commission and its work,” said Dr Deveny. 

Dr Deveny said that CHF values the work of the Commission and the leadership that Professor Picone has accomplished.

“She saw the importance of ensuring consumers have a central role in shaping health policy and CHF acknowledges this important guardianship,” said Dr Deveny.

“Professor Picone has amplified the value of the consumer voice. She has included processes through the work of the commission to ensure the health consumer voice continues to be embedded in health care, system and policy design,” she said. 

The Partnering with Consumers standard describes the systems and strategies to create a consumer-centred health system by including consumers in the development and design of quality health care and involving patients in their own care.

“Professor Picone has worked to make the lives of people better by strengthening important processes for improved health, patient safety and access to health care.” 

“We wish her the very best for the future,” Dr Deveny said.

“We also congratulate CEO, Chris Leahy and look forward to working with him in the interim as the ACSQHC Board undertakes the appointment of a new permanent CEO,” Dr Deveny said.

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Dr Deveny is available for interviews.