“A good financial outcome has a big influence on patient care, and the services that we can or can’t provide to patients.”
Patient-centred care is everyone's business at QEII Hospital, from the front lines of Emergency Department to the bottom line at the Finance Department.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of four Business Managers lend their expertise to maintain vital resources and optimise service delivery across QEII’s Division of Surgery (DOS), Medicine, Corporate Services, and Allied Health.
Beyond crunching numbers for clinical resources, servicing contracts, and liaising with divisional leaders, the team are putting people at the heart of every financial decision.
“As a Business Manager, you are balancing everything from the big picture service needs to the technical complexities, so you need to have both an operational (micro) and strategic (macro) level of oversight,” explained Principal Business Manager DOS Nick Bhatt.
“Without our passionate surgical team, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goals. People are the best thing about this work, and the people at QEII bring us so much joy. The nursing and medical staff are at the coal front every day, so it really comes down to having that connection with them, understanding their perspectives, and helping them understand the financial aspects so we can set them up for success,” he said.
The tight-knit team of four are united by their diverse skillset, a strong sense of humour, and a shared passion for people (and numbers).
“We complement each other’s skillsets. I think we have truly come across as one unified working group, and that’s our greatest strength. If I'm unsure about something, I know I can lean into their knowledge, and vice versa,” said Nick.
With the QEII Expansion underway to deliver a significant boost across QEII’s services, the team are already looking forward to their next challenge.
“We are really looking forward to the new building opening, because it’s a huge undertaking from both clinical and financial perspective, and we want our team to be ready to support that growth."
Citing their exceptional guidance, business acumen, and commitment in planning for the 25-26 financial year, the team claimed the QEII Team Values Award this September.
“They have gone above and beyond to assist all our managers, working side-by-side to provide expert financial guidance, education, and strategic support. Their proactive approach and deep understanding of our operational needs have empowered managers across the hospital to plan effectively and make informed decisions,” the nomination states.
Congratulations to Nick, Heather, Jess and Carl on this incredible effort!