Chief medical officer resigns from embattled health service after just three months

Albury Wodonga health chief medical officer resigns after just three months In short: Albury Wodonga Health's chief medical officer, Dr Simon Craig, has resigned after taking on the role in August. Dr Craig is an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist. The health service is at the centre of a years-long political storm over the controversial $558 million redevelopment of Albury's hospital. An embattled regional health service has lost another member of its executive team just months after starting in the role three months ago, Albury Wodonga Health confirmed on Tuesday that Chief Medical Officer Dr Simon Craig had resigned after taking on the position in August 2026. "We thank Simon for his contribution to the organisation and wish him well," an AWH spokesperson said in a statement. Dr Simon Craig is an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist, and had established a consultancy supporting healthcare organisations to build positive workplace cultures and enhance leadership. His resignation comes as the stretched health service this week warned the community about longer admission wait times due to sustained demand for inpatient beds and a rise in Emergency Department presentations. Staff exodus It has been a tumultuous year for leadership at the health service, which has seen the departure of several key leaders and undergone a Safer Care Victoria review into workplace behaviours. Albury Wodonga Health's former chief executive officer, Bill Appleby, resigned from the role in March this year, while board chair Jonathan Greene stepped away from his role in June. In March, 120 members of the AWH Senior Medical Staff Association and Border Medical Association passed a motion of no confidence in AWH's executive leadership on the grounds of ongoing concerns about governance, transparency and decision-making. Key doctors also exited the service for various reasons this year, sparking further community anger. The health service is also at the centre of a years-long political storm over the controversial $558 million redevelopment of Albury's hospital, which clinicians and community leaders argue isn't fit for purpose. The Victorian opposition has promised an extra $100 million for the Albury Hospital redevelopment if it wins the state election. The federal, NSW and Victorian governments have already promised $558 million for the hospital. Dr Craig's resignation has sparked concern for local health advocacy group, Better Border Health, which said his appointment had offered hope of rebuilding trust and confidence in the service. "Losing someone of his calibre from this important leadership role so soon is deeply disappointing," A BBH statement said. "While the reasons for his decision are for Dr Craig to explain, this news renews our concerns that some of the problems raised under the previous leadership may remain unresolved. The health service is understood to be making acting CMO arrangements in the interim.