Leading in Health From Practitioner to Director – corporate governance for medical and allied health

Whilst this book is targeted at people in the health sector and would be most useful to those people because it acknowledges some of the differences in this sector, the book is also relevant for anyone governing a not-for-profit organisation. Sarah has a lovely warm communication style and it is clear that she is really committed to enhancing corporate governance and protecting directors in health businesses. There are so many practical tips throughout the book as well as key takeaways for each director that a director could implement immediately after reading. There are also many very practical, real and relevant examples in the book that bring governance in the health sector to light.

Leading in Health is well written and clearly structured, covering the key responsibilities of being a director in a practical and accessible way. It highlights the important shift healthcare professionals must make from focusing solely on patient care to understanding their duty to act in the best interests of the organisation and explains this with clarity and insight.

It is refreshing to see a resource that bridges the gap between clinical expertise and the realities of leadership and governance in healthcare. This book provides a clear and practical guide for those considering or currently holding a board or directorship role, reinforcing the importance of due diligence, informed decision-making, and proactive risk management. Encouragingly, this work reflects a broader shift within the medical industry, where governance, structure, and accountability are becoming integral to sustainable practices. Voices like Sarah Bartholomeusz are helping guide this evolution, equipping healthcare leaders with the clarity and confidence to step into these responsibilities.

Running a medical practice means managing risk constantly and Sarah’s book gives you the framework to do it systematically. But it’s more than a practice manual, it’s a foundation for broader leadership, with governance principles that apply to your practice and can extend to hospital boards, not-for-profits, and charities. Once you understand how to ask the right questions and build accountability into your organisation, those skills can transfer anywhere. A great place to start for those new to leadership roles or for those looking to expand their horizons.

A great guide to governance in health settings. Sarah’s deep knowledge of the healthcare sector is embedded in each chapter. Leading in Health is the ideal handbook; easy to read with relatable examples and practical ideas. It is a go-to reference that helps me lead with confidence.

This is the book I wish every new director on a health or human services board had read before their first meeting. Sarah moves effortlessly between legal duty and lived reality, with human services examples that actually reflect how these decisions land in the room. Her framing that purpose is the counterweight to risk is the clearest articulation I’ve read of why this work matters, and why good directors should be confident to step forward rather than stand back.

This is an excellent and thoughtfully written handbook for new directors in the health sector. Governing in health care requires striking a tricky balance between passion and responsibility and this provides a clear, practical, and highly relevant, offering valuable guidance for anyone stepping into a governance role. I’ll be recommending it as part of the induction materials for new directors in my organisation.

As a Board Director at SHINE SA, I highly recommend Leading in Health for current and aspiring directors in the health and not-for-profit sector. It clearly articulates why strong governance is critical to delivering safe, sustainable and high-quality care. Its practical guidance on directors’ responsibilities and organisational oversight is both accessible and highly relevant to the realities of health leadership.

A practical, easy-to-use guide for healthcare directors. The checklists are particularly helpful, and I would confidently recommend it to anyone new to governance.

For any doctor navigating the realities of running a practice, this book cuts through the noise. It provides practical, usable guidance that supports better governance discipline and better outcomes for patients.

Leading in Health is a clear, well-structured and compelling read. The book flows logically from beginning to end, making complex governance concepts easy to understand and apply.

An insightful and accessible guide to governance in healthcare leadership, clearly explaining the shift from clinical responsibility to corporate accountability. The structured chapter summaries are particularly useful, reinforcing key principles and making complex material easy to revisit. While some content is less directly applicable to my role as a profession lead in a public hospital, it was still a valuable reminder of governance responsibilities and left me more cognisant of my delegated responsibilities within organisational leadership.

Leading in Health is essential reading for clinicians who are moving into leadership roles, private practice or more formally stepping into Board roles. There are relevant examples from medicine and other health organisations which help the reader relate to the topic. Importantly, it outlines where the risk lies, how best to manage the risk and how to succeed in governance.

Leading in Health is an incredibly valuable resource for the healthcare sector. Written in plain English and easy to follow, it makes governance accessible for clinicians and leaders who may be new to board reporting, board participation or formal director training. It is the kind of practical guide that should sit alongside any foundational governance education for healthcare professionals, and one I will continue to use as an ongoing reference in my own governance journey.

Leading in Health is an invaluable read for both experienced and aspiring board directors, and a resource worth keeping close at hand. Written in a way that engages, inspires thought and encourages critical reflection, it challenges readers to think carefully about their role as a director, an essential part of staying effective and ahead of the game in today’s governance environment.