Control of one of the largest Indigenous medical services in New South Wales has been handed back to the community.
The Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation (RivMed), which provides primary health and wellbeing services in Wagga Wagga, will come out of special administration after six months.
The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) took control of RivMed in February.
It launched an investigation into the corporation last year, finding a high level of dysfunction and a high turnover of senior staff, before the board was ousted last November.
Concerns were also raised about a toxic culture at the service.
Special administrator Peter McQuoid said he was "very pleased" to hand RivMed back to the community and that it was ready for member control again.
"Over the last six months, we've worked with the Corporation Advisory Group, staff and members and built what we consider to be a very strong foundation," he said.
"It's financially strong, it's got a great team of staff with an almost completely new senior management team; the future is very much looking bright."
New directors ready to go
RivMed will be governed by five new board members and two independent specialists.
Chief executive Peta Larsen has joined the organisation after a career managing health and community services.
"It's become my purpose and passion to serve and address some of the needs of the community, particularly around accessing a really skilled workforce," she said.
"I fundamentally believe that everybody should be able to have access to really good, quality, excellent services."
Ms Larsen said building a strong culture was a priority.
"I want people to be able to wear the uniform, hold their head high, be proud of where they work."
New board member Gamilaraay woman Leonie Dennis said it was challenging for the Indigenous community when the corporation went into administration.
She said there were concerns about seeing a doctor and if RivMed would provide oral and mental health services.
"I wanted to have RivMed go back to where it was originally, where you go in there, you know who you're going to see, you're confident in the staff that you've got there."
Board remains under scrutiny
Mr McQuoid said the two independent specialists would provide financial and governance support to directors, particularly during board meetings.
He said directors would receive formal management training and that ORIC would keep a close eye on the corporation.
"They'll require the board to report into ORIC on a monthly basis," he said.
"ORIC will review the directors' meeting minutes and they'll review the finances every month for at least the next 12 months."
Mr McQuoid said he did not expect to get involved in the corporation again and that he was "very confident" it would be successful going forward.
