Catharine Death started about two months ago as Hastings Macleay Clinical Network coordinator/Port Macquarie Base Hospital general manager.

In the next 12 months, Ms Death said she would be focusing heavily on cultural safety.

"Cultural safety is about people coming into this environment and feeling safe, comfortable and supported regardless of who they are," she said.

Health care should be totally unbiased, Ms Death said.

Ms Death said the workforce, safe health care and "making sure we are doing the best we can" were high on her agenda.

She described Port Macquarie Base Hospital as a vibrant hospital with great staff and a fantastic range of services.

Ms Death, most recently the general manager of Tablelands and Peel sectors with Hunter New England Local Health District, worked in renal nursing before moving into management at Sydney's Westmead Hospital.

It's a career which has taken her as far as Singapore and Central Australia, and included a stint as a nursing lecturer at the University of New England.

Ms Death said the job here was professionally a great opportunity.

She said the Hastings Macleay Clinical Network had a great reputation and the Mid North Coast Local Health District had a strong direction.

Ms Death looks forward to meeting more staff and hearing their voice, as well as meeting with patients and listening to their stories.

The World Health Organization has designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

Ms Death said nursing was a fantastic profession which provided constant care and support.

"I think nurses are doing a really difficult job 24 hours, seven days a week," she said.

"The profession has continued to grow.

"For me, I'm glad to support it and support our nurses and midwives, old and new."

Ms Death replaces Jane Evans as Hastings Macleay Clinical Network coordinator/Port Macquarie Base Hospital general manager.

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