Leading in Health

You spent years learning how to care for patients.But who taught you how to lead an organisation?As a healthcare practitioner, you are already familiar with your obligation to prioritise the welfare of others over your own. But as a director or officer of your medical practice or healthcare organisation, you also have a duty to the organisation you serve. This can be a delicate balancing act, navigating the complex intersection of clinical care, financial sustainability, legal requirements and ethical obligations.Many healthcare leaders are unaware of the personal legal risks associated with governance responsibilities. To lead effectively, you must understand your obligations, recognise the risks, know how to manage them, and leave every organisation you serve stronger than when you found it.In this practical and comprehensive guide, you’ll discover:your legal and ethical responsibilities as a healthcare leaderthe consequences of failing to meet your governance obligationshow to determine whether a board position is right for youwhat key governance concepts such as conflicts of interest, due diligence, good faith and insolvent trading really meanpractical ways to reduce risk for both yourself and your organisationwhen to seek advice - and why doing so is a strength, not a weakness.Whether you’re running your own practice, serving on a board, leading a not-for-profit or preparing for your first directorship, this book will help you make better decisions and lead with confidence. Because outstanding healthcare needs outstanding governance. About the authorSarah Bartholomeusz is the founder of You Legal, a law firm dedicated to Australia’s health and medical sector, and Elevated Governance, a specialist governance consultancy. A corporate and commercial lawyer with more than two decades of experience, she is also a facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Company Directors Course. Working with healthcare organisations every day has given Sarah a unique insight into the governance challenges faced by doctors, allied health professionals and health leaders. She brings together legal expertise and practical experience to help healthcare professionals confidently navigate the responsibilities of leadership and directorship.