Mercy Partners commences One Mater Project to deliver mission of Catholic healthcare across Queensland
Francis Sullivan has been appointed by Mercy Partners as Foundational Executive Chair of the One Mater Project and will oversee the implementation of a single Board of Governance to unify all Mater hospitals and health services across Queensland. 
Mercy Partners is the Public Juridic Person, a canonical body which is the owner and sole member of Mater in Queensland. Currently operated as separate entities, Mater’s health services in South East Queensland, North Queensland and Central Queensland will be governed as One Mater.
Mr Sullivan will oversee the transition to one Board to replace the current Queensland Mater Boards – Mater Misericordiae Limited (Brisbane) MML, Mater Health Services North Queensland MSNQ, and Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland MHACCQ, including the activities of the subsidiary companies. Francis will then transition into the role of the inaugural Chair of the new singular Board by December 2019.
Mercy Partners Chair Ricki Jeffery said the Mercy Partner Stewards and Mercy Partners Council were pleased to announce the appointment of Francis Sullivan to oversee the move to One Mater.
“Francis comes with a deep understanding of Catholic ministry and the importance of maintaining the Mercy mission of accessible health and aged care of the highest quality for the people of Queensland. He brings enormous experience and credibility to the role,” Dr Jeffery said.
Most recently Francis Sullivan completed five years as CEO of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council. Prior to that role, Francis was Secretary-General of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) following 14 years as CEO of Catholic Health Australia, representing all the Church’s public and private hospitals and over 500 aged care services across Australia.
In his capacity as Foundational Executive Chair, Francis said he is looking forward to working closely with Mater health services across Queensland to further develop the range and quality of healthcare services to the people of this State.
“Mater health services are renowned for excellence, and by moving towards one model of governance we want to empower and encourage Mater people to share knowledge, resources and services that will only improve opportunities for patients and staff,” Mr Sullivan said.
Ms Jeffery said ensuring regional Queenslanders benefit from accessible world-class medicine and care is also a priority.
“Mater is part of the mission to continue the legacy of Catholic healthcare in this State that was established by the Sisters of Mercy over 100 years ago,” Ms Jeffery said.
Francis Sullivan will be in North Queensland, Central Queensland and Brisbane during the week commencing 15 July 2019.
Click here for Mercy Partners media release
Photo courtesy of Cathnews
