Roles and responsibilities
The Executive Clinical Director of Surgery:
- advises on perioperative service delivery, workforce planning, resource allocation and system performance to improve patient outcomes
- works closely with the Chief Surgical Advisor to contribute to perioperative sector reform, the planned surgery reform blueprint, and best care before, during and after surgery.
- leads initiatives that drive evidence‑based practice, support surgical research and innovation, and strengthen perioperative clinical governance
- supports perioperative services in their compliance with safety, quality and regulatory standards
- establishes partnerships with health services, government, and professional bodies
- provides expert clinical advice to executive leadership and health authorities
- responds to clinical incidents and system pressures
- participates in health service reviews related to practice, roles, responsibilities and organisational culture.
Key activities
Statewide perioperative leadership and governance
- Triages perioperative sentinel events and provides clinical advice to health services.
- Oversees Procedures by Exception under the Perioperative Capability Framework and advises on perioperative governance.
- Advises on perioperative issues, practices, and behaviours of concern.
- Contributes to health service reviews on practice, roles, and culture.
- Supports translational research and oversees secondments.
- Enhances statewide engagement and performance through Clinical Quality Registries.
- Acts as Clinical Lead for Safer Together Program’s perioperative improvement projects.
Committees and groups
The Executive Clinical Director of Surgery is involved in the following committees and groups:
- Victorian Directors of Surgery Group (Chair)
- Department of Health Climate Health Advisory Group (Chair)
- Trauma System Advisory Committee (Chair)
- Clinical Advisory Committee addressing Low Volume High Complexity Care Committee (Member)
- Clinical Advisory Groups for the Discharge Optimisation and Preventing Pulmonary Embolism (Clinical Lead)
- National Emergency Laparotomy Steering Committee (Victorian representative)
Planned care recovery and perioperative reform
- Collaborates with the Chief Surgical Advisor and Department of Health on the Planned Surgery Reform Blueprint, Provision of Specialist Care Consultation and Endoscopy services
- Promotes enhanced recovery after surgery models of care.
- Identifies high-risk patients who will benefit from optimisation and prehabilitation prior to surgery.
- Supports the Safer Together Program to reduce complications, optimise discharge, and prevent avoidable readmissions.
- Contributes to theatre efficiency and urgency categorisation for endoscopy.
About the Executive Clinical Director of Surgery
David is a Professor of Surgery at Deakin University based at the University Teaching Hospital, Geelong (Barwon Health) and a former President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
He has published extensively on surgical outcomes, global surgery and clinical governance. His leadership ensures that Victoria’s surgical services remain innovative, efficient and focused on delivering the best possible care for every patient.