COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing – Interview Series

John has over 30 years’ experience in public and private healthcare and has worked in leadership roles in the mental health, general health and disability sectors. Past roles include State Director of Mental Health in SA, Public Advocate between 2008 and 2015, and Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Immigration.

He has had the statutory appointment of Chief Psychiatrist since May 2018. During this time the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist has led work responding to the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption’s Oakden report, and has developed an active program of unannounced inspections of mental health facilities. The Office has also worked collaboratively with the Mental Health Commission to develop a draft Mental Health Services Plan for South Australia which is currently being considered by Government. The Chief Psychiatrist’s office has function in setting standards, monitoring the sector, developing policy and statewide plans amongst other roles.

Appointed on 1 July 2014, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri works passionately towards creating a world-leading public sector that serves South Australians well, does what it says it will do, and to which every public servant is proud to belong.

With the role of the public sector being to serve and support South Australia to thrive, Erma leads sector-wide reform to modernise the public sector and continue to build on its value and service to the South Australian community.

Erma has worked for more than 30 years to help organisations optimise productivity and employee wellbeing. She was named a 2014 Telstra Business Woman of the Year as SA Winner of the Telstra Community and Government Award for her role in leading transformational change throughout the public sector.

With a key focus on flexibility, diversity and leadership development to ensure the public sector is positioned as an Employer of Choice, Erma continues to challenge cultural and structural barriers to drive innovative, collaborative and connected services for the community.