Snowball named acting WA health boss

Regional WA's top health executive Kim Snowball has today been appointed acting director general of the Department of Health, taking over from Peter Flett who resigned suddenly last month.

Mr Snowball will act in the position for six months from January 16, state Health Minister Kim Hames said.

Dr Hames said Mr Snowball was a highly experienced public servant and certified practising accountant, who had been chief executive of the WA Country Health Service which had an annual budget of $1billion a year.

"Mr Snowball has also worked at a national level, having developed a National Rural Health Framework for the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments," he said.

"I am looking forward to working with Mr Snowball to continue the good work being done in the Department of Health, including the implementation of the Four Hour Rule, improving access to health care for indigenous people and the construction of Fiona Stanley Hospital."

Dr Hames thanked current director general of health, Dr Flett, who will vacate the position on January 15, for his work over the past two years.

"Dr Flett initiated a series of reforms which has ensured our health system has provided world-class care to patients in Western Australia," he said.

Dr Hames said the recruitment process for a director general would begin immediately and include an international search.

An independent selection process over several months would be conducted by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards.

Dr Flett resigned suddenly last month over differences of opinions with the state government over the health budget.