Ambulance Tasmania has been left searching for new leadership, with revelations its Chief Executive Officer Jordan Emery will depart to head Victoria’s troubled ambulance service.
Emery is set to take on the role of Chief Executive at Ambulance Victoria following a lengthy eight-month recruitment process, according to 9News.
Former Victorian CEO Jane Miller resigned in August last year following a no-confidence vote.
The announcement comes at a challenging time for Ambulance Victoria, which is facing scrutiny after recently admitting to breaching COVID-19 restrictions during a second funeral guard of honour involving service members.
While the exact date and circumstances of this second breach remain unclear, the incident was referred to Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) in 2022.
“These events should not have happened and we regret the impact of these historical events on our people and the broader community,” AV executive director of regional operations Danielle North said today.
Ambulance Victoria has been operating under interim leadership, with Andrew Crisp serving as acting chief executive since Miller’s departure last August.
Industry insiders suggest Emery’s first major challenge will be rebuilding trust within the organisation following the COVID-19 breaches and the leadership instability of recent months.
A formal announcement regarding Emery’s Victorian appointment is expected within days.
Emery joined Ambulance Tasmania as Executive Director of Operations in January 2022, stepping into the role of Acting Chief Executive in June of that year before taking on the role permanently in January 2023.
Tasmanian Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma has congratulated Emery on his new role.
“Jordan Emery is a passionate leader who has continued to push cultural transformation throughout Ambulance Tasmania, prioritising the wellbeing of his staff and volunteers who he values so highly,” Petrusma said.
“During Mr Emery’s 3.5 years with Ambulance Tasmania, he has overseen the service to provide high-quality health care to Tasmanians.”
“He has driven the growth of staff and teams across various areas in Ambulance Tasmania, and the completion of significant ambulance station upgrades including the superstations in Glenorchy and Burnie.”
Emery will finish with Ambulance Tasmania on Friday 30 May and Executive Director of Operations, Michelle Baxter, will act as Chief Executive while an extensive recruitment process takes place.
