Catholic Health Australia appoints new policy directors

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) today announced the appointment of two new Directors to build capacity across the peak advocacy body’s health and aged care divisions.

Alex Lynch (Director of Public Health and In Home Support Policy) and Laura Haylen (Director Aged Care Policy) both bring extensive experience to their roles.

CEO Jason Kara said the appointments would help shape policy to deliver quality health and aged care services in home and community settings.

“I am delighted to welcome Alex and Laura to these advocacy roles,” Mr Kara said.

“As Australia’s largest grouping of non-government health and aged care providers, we have important work to do in the not-for-profit health and aged care sector.

“We will continue to be a voice for the sick, the poor and the vulnerable, building on our Catholic mission and heritage.”

CHA represents more than 80 public and private hospitals and 350 aged care homes across Australia.

Alex was previously the Manager of Health Policy at CHA and brings over 15 years’ experience in health and aged care policy in the public sector and advocacy organisations. His focus will include public health and aged care delivered in home and community settings.

Laura has nearly a decade of health and aged care policy experience in professional services and at a Commonwealth and State level, including six years with consultants KPMG.

Mr Kara also announced that Health Policy Director Caitlin O’Dea would be leaving CHA in January to take up an exciting new role within the Catholic health sector. Recruitment for this role will commence at a later date.

“Caitlin has been a policy force for the past two years, helping drive critical health reforms on behalf of our member hospitals.

“We look forward to continuing our work together, and she goes with our very best wishes.”

Until we commence formal recruitment in the new year CHA has been fortunate to secure the policy and data expertise of Sophie Balch to continue driving the agenda of CHA and its members.

“We are so fortunate to have a person of Sophie’s calibre available to support CHA and its members over the new few months. Sophie Balch is currently an experienced consultant and a former executive at Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Alex commenced his role this week. Laura will join CHA in mid-January 2024. Sophie will join CHA from early January until the conclusion of recruitment action in March or April 2024.