As a health service planning consultant I specialise in strategic and clinical service planning, policy development, needs assessment, health economic analysis and service/program evaluation. My approach to health service planning is consultative, whereby I aim to integrate the knowledge of clinicians and key stakeholders with a rational. focussed planning methodology that aims to identify sustainable service models able to deliver quality services in the most efficient manner to best meet population needs.Richard Gilbert has 18 years experience working at the most senior levels of the NSW Health System. He has a wealth of experience at all levels of government including 12 years as Director of Health Service Planning for Central Sydney Area Health Service.Currently working with NSW Health Pathology to develop a first ever Clinical Services Plan (2018)Major projects completed as a consultant in the past ten years include the development of;- Prepared John Hunter Health Campus Clinical Service Plan (2019)- Prepared first ever Statewide Clinical Services Plan for NSW Health Pathology (2019)- Prepared Coffs Harbour Health Campus Clinical Services Plan (2016)- Mapping of NSW Paediatric Service Capability for NSW Kids and Families (2015)- undertook Diagnostic Reviews for Sydney Children's Hospital Network (SCHN) for General Medicine, Complex Spinal Surgery and Operating Theatres, Children's Hospital Westmead (2013-15)- Prepared Northern NSW LHD Aboriginal Health Profile (2014)- Models of Care for various SCHN Specialties incl. Cancer, Gastro, Genetics,- Mid North Coast Mental Health Clinical Service Plan (2012)- ACT Palliative Care Clinical Service Plan (2012)- Byron Shire Central Hospital Clinical Service Plan (2012)- Bega Valley Health Service Clinical Service Plan (2011)- Port Macquarie Base Hospital Clinical Service Plan (2010)- Chartbook 2010 for the Clinical Excellence Commission, quality indicators for NSW health services

Responsible for development of the Resource Transition Program in 1996, a whole of Area Health Service asset strategic plan driven by a series of clinical service plans outlining future projected requirements to meet the population needs. The RTP resulted in a major capital investment and upgrade of Royal Prince Alfred and Concord hospitals among others in Central Sydney.The comprehensive planning process involved:• Identification of future population demand across all clinical services• Projection of acute hospital inpatient demand across all specialties• Full engagement of clinicians in the projection of future service requirements and development of clinical service plans• Modelling of patient flows and referral patterns• Modelling of future recurrent cost implications• Development of comprehensive clinical service plans for all clinical streams and facilities (RPA, Concord, Canterbury, Balmain and Rozelle hospitals)• Identification of substantial recurrent cost savings as a result of reconfiguration of physical assets, improved functional relationships and reduction in unnecessary duplication of services.

Responsible for the development of a strategic plan for St Vincent's Hospital

Richard Gilbert was responsible for the development of the original Resource Allocation Formula which guided the allocation of the NSW health budget to area health services from 1989 onwards. He was a member of the Resource Distribution Formula Working Party for 16 years from 1989 to 2005 and is experienced in the complexities involved in assessing the range of factors which impact on the financing and delivery of health services in Australia.