The state government has announced plans to pay public hospital board directors for their services.

These payments will be introduced on July 1 and will be based on sessional fees for board and sub-committee meetings, and will typically be around $3,000 annually.

At present, board members positions are voluntary.

Mr Maher, who finishes his 11-year stint on the board on June 30, said the planned remuneration with a step in the right direction.

“I think it’s a good idea, a lot of board members of regional hospitals are running their own businesses and having to pay people to keep those ticking over when they are attending to board matters,” he said.   

“I think a small payment to cover costs will help ensure we keep getting the right mix of skills on the board.”  

The office of Minister for Health Jill Hennessy said the changes were a response to the 2016 Targeting Zero review into how the Victorian health system was governed.

The review was triggered by 11 potentially avoidable newborn and stillborn deaths at Bacchus Marsh’s Djerriwarrh Health Services dating back to 2001.

Ms Hennessy said there was nothing more important than the safety of patients in Victorian hospitals.

“Our hard-working public hospital and health service board members are committed to the cause and they deserve to be recognised for their dedication,” she said.

“We’re ensuring we are attracting the right people for these important jobs with the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience, and putting quality and patient safety first.”