Gerard takes on Northern role until it's permanently filled

Long-serving paramedic and QAS executive Gerard Lawler has taken on the position of Deputy Commissioner – North Queensland, Rural and Remote, but only until a permanent appointment is made in 2022.

Gerard has worked in ambulance services for more than 40 years, and with the QAS since early 1992 after moving here from the south and has held many executive roles, working across all areas of service delivery, and on significant projects supporting the QAS.

“While I won’t be an applicant for the position, I am delighted and privileged to assist in the establishment and commissioning phase of this enhancement for northern and western Queensland,” Gerard said.

“This is a new and exciting role established as part of the recent QAS Service Review to better focus on service delivery across Queensland, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“My aim is to ensure a legacy of strong foundations and framework for the next Northern Deputy Commissioner to build on.

“In the new model, there are two Deputy Commissioners, one in South Queensland and the other in North Queensland,” he said.

“The southern position is based at Kedron and the new northern position in Townsville, supporting the area from Rockhampton and north to the Torres Strait and west to the Northern Territory and South Australian borders.

“This new position will focus on the unique and challenging dynamics of the service delivery framework in concert with the relevant regional Assistant Commissioners and District Directors.

“In essence, the position will more definitively link the policy, operational and remote and rural health delivery models to the existing Hospital and Health Services and government agencies relating to primary health care matters and emergency management in regional Queensland.

“It will also help our existing service delivery model for remote and rural

patients to improve equity of access to health care.”

Gerard said he has been establishing the Office of the Deputy Commissioner in Townsville while the ongoing position is being prepared for advertising nationally.

“When it’s advertised, this role is expected to create significant interest, given its unique nature and opportunities to build on current foundations and keep pace with demand and improve service delivery models,” he said.

Over the past months, Gerard has travelled to Cairns, Townsville, Thursday Island and Weipa and Rockhampton to meet with the Assistant Commissioners to introduce the role and to forge collaborative working relationships with QAS’s partner agencies and stakeholders across the North and Western Queensland.

“The highlight of my Weipa visit was attending the Rural and Remote Health Advisory Committee meeting where we discussed the Rural and Remote Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-2026 and its deliverables, and other sustainable health-based projects, which have been developed specifically to improve access to health services for all in these rural and remote communities,” Gerard said.

“Having a seat at this table provides the QAS with greater opportunity to align more closely with allied health, Queensland Health, rural doctors, Retrieval Services Queensland as well as our rural and remote communities.

“Our involvement with this working group among others, also provides more opportunity for our rural and remote workforce to get involved in preventative and educational programs in communities.”

Gerard also recently attended a key strategic meeting at Rockhampton focusing on QAS operations in the state’s north.

“This meeting involved the three Assistant Commissioners, senior operational and Operations Centre personnel who reviewed and updated the QAS strategic plan relating to the priorities of North Queensland and the Torres Strait,” Gerard said.

“In addition, a delegation from the state and northern Cultural Safety Unit met to review key aspects of recruitment, education and retention of our valuable Indigenous Paramedic Program members to ensure we promote respect and understanding for country and culture.”