Mr Bush said he was excited to return to Ararat to take on the role.

"I'm very pleased to return to East Grampians Health Service, a very progressive health service with an outstanding board, visiting medical officers and staff," he said.

"Living in Ararat is very attractive to me. My wife is from Willaura, I grew up in the Wimmera at Dimboola and we have a lot of friends and family in the local area.

"The health service has a very positive future and I'm delighted to be appointed again as the chief executive."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mr Bush said 2022 was an "exciting time" for EGHS.

"I look forward to working with the Board on its next strategic plan to ensure EGHS continues to deliver high quality health services for the community," he said.

"It's an exciting time with upgraded infrastructure, a great team in place and new opportunities with the changing health landscape.

"On a personal note, it will be very pleasing to catch up with the board, staff, visiting medical officers and volunteers who are very dedicated and committed to their community."

EGHS Board Chair Nancy Panter said Mr Bush was chosen after an extensive and extremely competitive selection process.

"The number of highly experienced and motivated candidates applying for the position of EGHS Chief Executive, is not only an indication of their abilities and commitment to deliver quality services, but also recognition that East Grampians Health Service is a benchmark leader, delivering comprehensive health services in regional Victoria," she said.

"Mr Bush is an accomplished chief executive with more than 20 years' experience leading outstanding health services.

"He has demonstrated in previous roles his ability to lead high performing health services through his dedication to rural healthcare, innovation, developing partnerships, continuous improvement of patient care and a focus on workplace culture."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Most recently, Mr Bush was chief executive at Echuca Regional Health.

"He successfully led the organisation to build its medical workforce through increasing education and training by leading the Rural Generalist training for the Loddon Mallee Region, developed new partnerships with neighbouring health services and led the development of an $8.3 million Cancer and Wellness Centre," Ms Panter said.

He also served as Chief Executive at East Grampians Health Service from 2010 - 2018.

"During this time the organisation was recognised as a leader in the Victorian health sector being awarded the Victorian Premier's Health Service of the Year in 2015 and 2016 for a medium health service," Ms Panter said.

"This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for EGHS and the Board is looking forward to working with Mr. Bush to ensure East Grampians Health Service continues to deliver high quality safe health services to our community."

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Mr Bush takes over the position from Andrew Freeman who led East Grampians Health Service from July 2018 to August 2021.

His appointment has been approved by the Department of Health.

The Board would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Peter Armstrong for acting in the chief executive role from August 2021 to January 2022.

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