Dr Peter Steer announces he is to leave GOSH to take up a position as a system leader in Australia

Dr Peter Steer, the Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), has announced that he will be leaving at the end of the year to take up the position of Chief Executive at Mater Group in Brisbane, Australia.

This will see him lead a group of eight public and private hospitals including the largest maternity hospital in Australia.

Dr Steer said: “It has been a privilege to have worked with the exceptional staff of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Their research and clinical work is world leading, and they work tirelessly and compassionately to serve young patients and their families with the most complex and rare health needs.

“I began my career at Mater and this role is a remarkable opportunity to be able to return with the knowledge I have gained from working at GOSH and other global institutions to improve the health and well-being of a very large and diverse patient group.”

Dr Steer joined GOSH in January 2015. Since that time the organisation has made numerous research breakthroughs including successfully treating the first person in the world with pioneering genetic therapy for an incurable aggressive leukaemia. The hospital has also expanded and improved its facilities by opening the 240-bedded Mittal Children’s Medical Centre and leaves the Trust in a strong financial position having delivered a surplus in 2017/18.

GOSH Chairman, Sir Mike Rake, said: “Peter has done an excellent job and will be much missed by the Board and the hospital. This is a great opportunity for him to lead the organisation that started his career and we wish him all the very best in this new role.”

Dr Steer has had a distinguished international career rooted in Queensland and Mater. He started his medical career at Mater Brisbane in 1982 and, after working as a neonatologist in New Zealand, returned to spend ten years at Mater Mothers’ and Children’s Hospitals. Dr Steer then travelled to Canada where he was the President of McMaster Children’s Hospital returning to Australia to take up the position of CEO of Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service where he was instrumental in the merger of Royal Children’s and Mater Children’s Hospitals. Many members of Peter’s immediate family are based in Queensland including his first grandchild.

Work will now be undertaken to appoint Dr Steer’s successor.