Earlier this week Karen Kelly, HNELHD executive director metropolitan health services, advised the Manning River Times that "the recruitment process to appoint a general manager to the Lower Mid North Coast sector did not result in the appointment of a candidate."

"Jodi Nieass and Karon Devenish (sic) will continue to act in the roles of general manger of Manning Hospital and general manager of the Lower Mid North Coast Cluster respectively until a new recruitment process is begun in the coming months."

Applications closed for the top job on Sunday, August 9. Interviews were conducted during September with the outcome being the decision of HNELHD to keep looking and to re-advertise the position.

The position description changed from general manager to Lower Mid North Coast sector manager following the departure of Tricia Bulic in January this year.

The departure of Ms Bulic provided HNELHD with the "opportunity to look for improvements that could be made to the management structure to benefit patient care," advised Ms Kelly.

The new position requires the Lower Mid North Coast sector manager to "oversee acute hospital and community health services on the Lower Mid North Coast."

It has a salary package between $149,000 and $163,000, is based in Taree and the successful candidate must have the skills to lead and manage Manning Hospital, community hospitals at Wingham and Bulahdelah and numerous community services.

The position description for the first round of the recruitment process outlined what HNELHD sought in candidates for the top job:

"Looking for an opportunity to flex your outstanding leadership a nd management skills in a health care environment? Come and be responsible for planning, development, implementation, evaluation and operational management of services across the Lower Mid North Coast.

The purpose of the position is to "lead and manage the overall planning, development, implementation and evaluation of services for the lower Mid North Coast sector to ensure the efficient, effective and timely delivery of health care services to the community served by this sector.

The general manager holds overall responsibility and accountability for the operational management of the lower Mid North Coast sector and for providing leadership and direction to ensure services are delivered consistently to every patient every time.

The general manager must also promote the general health of the population and is fully accountable for the overall management, policies and planning of the facilities within the sector."

A spokesperson for HNELHD advised that no further information was available regarding a timeline for the new recruitment process.

ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au