Departmental Media Releases

Australia's New Chief Medical Officer Announced

Professor Chris Baggoley has been appointed Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, beginning immediately. Professor Baggoley is a respected clinician and public health specialist with a national and international reputation in the field of emergency medicine.

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30 August 2011

I have great pleasure in announcing that Professor Chris Baggoley has been appointed Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, beginning immediately.

Professor Baggoley is a respected clinician and public health specialist with a national and international reputation in the field of emergency medicine.

Professor Baggoley has been acting in the position of Chief Medical Officer since April this year and during that time he has forged warm relationships with the medical profession and consumer health organisations on a range of health issues, including health and medical research, public health, medical workforce, quality of care and evidence based medicine.

Professor Baggoley was a former Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director with the South Australian Department of Health and brings to the position wide-ranging exposure to, and experience with public health issues and government policy development, funding, health education and service delivery.

Professor Baggoley’s most recent role was Chief Executive, Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, since August 2007. Previous medical positions include Professor-Director of Emergency Medicine at the University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital; Director of Emergency Medicine at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, Censor-In-Chief and President of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Chair of the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges; and Chair of the Board of the National Institute of Clinical Studies.

Professor Baggoley has also held senior roles in the private health sector including as Executive Director of Medical Services at the Adelaide Community Healthcare Alliance and Director of Emergency Medicine at the Ashford Private Community Hospital.

In addition to his medical degrees, Professor Baggoley holds an Honours degree in Veterinary Science from Melbourne University, a degree in Social Administration, FUSA, and has been awarded the Order of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine.

In his role as Chief Medical Officer, Professor Baggoley also holds direct responsibility for the Department of Health and Ageing’s Office of Health Protection.

Media contact: Kay McNiece 0412 132 585