Sue Shilbury has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Family Planning Australia, a leading reproductive and sexual health service.
Starting in the role this week, Shilbury brings more than 32 years’ experience in the NSW and Victorian public health sectors. She’s also held positions in a range of executive leadership roles in hospitals, health and community services.
From 2014 to 2017, Shilbury served on the board of Family Planning Australia as a non-executive director.
Shilbury said her focus as the new CEO will be on “driving policy changes to improve access to care and services for the disadvantaged”. She’s passionate about ensuring equitable access to healthcare and social services for people from diverse backgrounds and communities.
“This organisation has a proud history of working with the under-served,” said Shilbury.
“I’m in-step with growing the kind of care we offer the community and making sure these essential services are as equitably available as possible.”
“Offering low and no-cost care to patients who need it is a foundational value of Family Planning Australia,” she says, adding that “this helps improve access to essential reproductive and sexual health services.”
Beginning with a team of volunteers in 1926, Family Planning Australia opened its first birth control clinic in Martin Place, Sydney in 1933. It shifted from volunteers to paid staff in 1960 to become a more professional organisation.
Now, Family Planning Australia has many clinics focusing on traditional healthcare like contraception and STI checks as well as a range of services like vasectomy, colposcopy, pregnancy choices and education programs. These services are available at the major health hub in Newington and across NSW.
“This diverse focus ensures we not only meet the needs of clients who have always relied on Family Planning for their reproductive and sexual healthcare but also that we respond to changes over time and meet new needs that are emerging among our clients,” Shilbury said.
“We have huge scope to build on already excellent efforts in areas like research, international programs and education.”
Shilbury’s appointment came after a recruitment campaign following the retirement of the former CEO, Adjunct Professor Ann Brassil.