Connecting, Learning, and Leading at APHA
ACHS joined the national dialogue on private healthcare reform and innovation.
The Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) Congress 2025 brought together health leaders from across the country in the vibrant setting of Darwin. For the ACHS attendees, Belinda Chambers, Manager - Healthcare Consulting and Karen Hale - Customer Service Manager, it was a valuable opportunity to connect with Members, meet with sector partners, and engage in rich conversations around healthcare improvement and innovation.
In the lead-up to the Congress, Belinda had the opportunity to participate in two site visits that offered a firsthand look at Australia’s frontline emergency medical response systems.
World-class Facility in Disaster and Emergency Response
The site visit began at the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) where the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) are deployed. The NCCTRC is a disaster and emergency medical response centre, established following the 2002 Bali bombings. ACHS President, Professor Len Notaras AO, has served as Executive Director of the NCCTRC since 2009. The Centre is also accredited by ACHS.
Rhiannon Winter, Director of Education at the NCCTRC, led the visit and offered a behind-the-scenes look at how AUSMAT is trained, equipped, and deployed. The facility functions as a coordination hub for national and international emergencies, from natural disasters to pandemics.
It was a truly amazing experience to see the level of care and organisation that goes into the coordination of deploying AUSMAT.
- Belinda Chambers, Manager Healthcare Consulting
The NCCTRC serves as a critical pillar of the Australian Government’s disaster and emergency medical preparedness, and response capability to natural and man-made incidents of local, national and international significance.
Belinda Chambers attending site visit at NCCTRC and CareFlight, Darwin
CareFlight - Australian Life-Saving Aeromedical Charity
The second stop took participants to CareFlight’s Darwin operations base, where Jodie Mills, General Manager, shared enriching insights about their aeromedical services. Founded in 1986, CareFlight now operates helicopters, aeroplanes, and medi-jets across the country, delivering life-saving care directly to patients in critical situations, often in remote and logistically complex environments.
CareFlight helps to close gaps in emergency response for remote industry projects and brings hospital level treatment to the patient at the scene, resulting in earlier patient intervention and improved outcomes.
Thank you to APHA 2025 Event Organisers and Participants
The APHA Congress continues to be an important forum for meaningful dialogue across the health sector. This year’s discussions reflected the complexity of the current landscape, especially the financial pressures facing private hospitals. Issues around environmental sustainability are also gaining attention, with Tony Scaramuzza raising interest in how ACHS may support the sector in responding to emerging standards. Thought-provoking contributions from leaders like Bernadette Eather, Susanne Tegan, and Dean Breckenridge highlighted the urgent need for shared data, better rural resourcing, and solutions that balance safety with system-wide sustainability.
ACHS thanks APHA for hosting another impactful Congress and looks forward to our continued partnership in supporting healthcare organisations in their pursuit of excellence.
