BN Health Forum Brisbane: Navigating Health - Innovation, Access and the Patient Journey

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event information
Thursday, 6 August 2026
Keynote presentation: 4:00pm | Panel session: 5:15pm | Networking & drinks: 6:30pm
The Grove Rooftop, 480 Queen Street, Brisbane

As workforce pressures, an ageing population and the rise of multimorbidities intersect with changing patient expectations and rapid technological advancement, new challenges are emerging across regulation, claims and frontline clinical service delivery.

This year’s Health Forum will explore key issues impacting the healthcare and life sciences sectors and what they mean for patients navigating the system.

In a standout keynote, one of Australia’s most recognised sporting figures and passionate health advocates will share their experience navigating the health system with a complex and chronic condition, offering a deeply personal perspective. Building on this, our expert panel will explore the trends shaping complex care in today’s landscape. Through practical discussion and shared insights, our speakers will unpack the legal and operational implications for life sciences organisations, healthcare providers and insurers.

Together, they will offer a clear and practical view of what’s working, where pressure points are emerging, and what the future may hold.

BN’s Health Forum is a must-attend event for professionals working in or alongside healthcare and life sciences who want to stay up to date on the trends and issues affecting the sector.

Following the final session, attendees are invited to join us for drinks and canapés to continue the conversation with colleagues across the industry.

Program

  • Session 1: From Podium to Patient: Living Through Diagnosis and Ongoing Care

    Keynote session presented by Michael Klim OAM – one of Australia’s most recognised sporting figures and passionate health advocates.

    Serious illness is rarely just a medical issue. It brings questions of access, timing and advocacy, often at a point when people are already vulnerable.

    After retiring from elite sport, Michael Klim’s life shifted dramatically following his diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. His experience of delayed diagnosis, treatment access and ongoing care provides a grounded insight into the realities faced by people living with complex and chronic illness.

    In this session, Michael will share his personal journey of adapting to profound physical uncertainty following a career built on performance and control. He will speak candidly about the emotional and practical challenges of navigating healthcare systems, and how delays or gaps in care can directly affect independence, recovery and quality of life.

    Drawing on lived experience, Michael offers a human lens on the importance of early intervention, coordinated care and patient advocacy, and how healthcare delivery, insurance decision-making and system design intersect in patient journeys.

  • Session 2: Complex and Chronic Care: Meeting Demand in a Changing System

    Panel session moderated by BN’s Melissa Carius, with panellists:

    Complex and chronic illness rarely fits neatly within one part of the healthcare system. Care is delivered over time, across multiple providers, and often at vulnerable points in a patient's journey. As medical research drives earlier diagnosis, new therapies and more specialised models of care, pressure is increasing on how care is accessed, coordinated and delivered. At the same time, an ageing population, rising rates of chronic disease and evolving patient expectations are creating new challenges for healthcare providers and the systems that support them.

    Building on the lived experience shared in Michael’s opening keynote, our panel brings together leading voices from emergency medicine, medical leadership, primary care and healthcare law to explore what navigating complex care looks like in practice. The discussion will consider common challenges across the system, including gaps in access to treatment, communication breakdowns, delayed or missed diagnoses, and the practical realities of coordinating care across multiple providers. It will also explore how patients move between primary, acute and specialist settings, and the challenges that arise when care becomes fragmented.

    Reflecting the realities of modern healthcare, the panel will examine where current systems are working, where pressure points are emerging, and what it takes to balance innovation, affordability and accountability while improving access, coordination and continuity of care.

Meet our speakers

  • Michael Klim OAM

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    Michael Klim is one of Australia’s most recognised athletes, having competed at the highest level of international swimming for more than a decade.

    A four-time Olympian, he built his career on discipline, routine and performance. He won multiple Olympic and World Championship medals, including gold as part of Australia’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He also set world records during his career.

    Things look very different for Michael now.

    In recent years, he has been living with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. His experience navigating a complex path to diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care has given him a deep understanding of what people can face when something serious affects their health.

    Alongside managing these changes in his own life, Michael has stepped into a much bigger role in the health space. He is a founder of the Klim Foundation, which focuses on raising awareness of CIDP in Australia and supporting others living with the condition. He continues to advocate for earlier diagnosis, better coordination of care and a system that works more effectively for patients.

    Michael brings a candid and deeply personal perspective on what happens when the system does not always work as it should, and why getting it right matters.

  • Dr Sean Rothwell, RBWH Emergency and Trauma Centre

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    Dr Sean Rothwell is Director of the Emergency and Trauma Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital with extensive experience caring for patients with complex and often acute health needs. Leading one of Australia's busiest emergency departments, he has unique insight into the challenges associated with managing patients with multiple conditions, coordinating care across services and navigating an increasingly complex healthcare system.

    Beyond his clinical role, Dr Rothwell has held senior medical leadership positions across both the public and private health sectors. He also served as a Board Member and advisor to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), contributing to the delivery of healthcare across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

    He has a strong interest in improving patient outcomes through better integration between acute, hospital and community-based care. His experience provides valuable insight into the pressures facing the health system, including an ageing population, increasing rates of chronic disease, delayed diagnoses and the growing demand for coordinated, patient-centred care.

    Drawing on his clinical, governance and leadership experience, Dr Rothwell will bring a practical perspective to the discussion on complex care, exploring opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the healthcare system and improve outcomes for patients with complex and evolving healthcare needs.

  • Dr Tony Bayliss, Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN

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    Dr Tony Bayliss is an experienced General Practitioner with a strong interest in child and adolescent health, preventative care, and the delivery of high-quality primary healthcare. He is known for his patient-centred approach and his commitment to supporting better health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

    Beyond clinical practice, Tony is actively involved in medical education and healthcare leadership. He is a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Queensland Faculty. He is also a member of the RACGP Expert Committee - Funding and Health System Reform, where he leads the Regulation and Compliance function. He also serves as Chair and Non-Executive Director of the Darling Downs and West Moreton Primary Health Network, helping to guide the delivery and coordination of primary healthcare services across a diverse and growing region.

    Drawing on extensive experience in frontline practice, medical governance and health system leadership, Tony brings valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing primary care, workforce sustainability and integrated healthcare delivery in Australia.

  • Sarah Carlise, Barry Nilsson

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    Sarah Carlisle is a Special Counsel in Barry Nilsson's Insurance & Health team. Sarah's expertise lies in handling complex liability and contribution issues, as well as all aspects of damages assessment in personal injury claims and she is a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Personal Injuries Law.

    Sarah manages a range of claims, including medical negligence and public liability cases and also regularly provides advice and assistance to clients in the healthcare sector, including on coronial and regulatory matters. Drawing on her extensive experience advising insurers, healthcare providers and practitioners, she brings valuable insight into the legal, risk and compensation issues that arise across the healthcare sector. She has been recognised by Best Lawyers in the Personal Injury Litigation category since 2022, reflecting her expertise in managing complex personal injury matters

  • Melissa Carius, Barry Nilsson

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    Melissa Carius is a Special Counsel in Barry Nilsson's Insurance & Health team. She specialises in medical negligence claims, OHO and AHPRA matters, and Coronial investigations and inquests involving healthcare professionals. With a diverse range of clients, including hospitals, doctors, medical indemnity insurers and aged care providers, she regularly advises on complex liability, quantum and strategic issues. Melissa has a particular interest in the legal and ethical issues relating to consent for medical treatment involving minors.

    Drawing on her extensive work with healthcare providers, practitioners and insurers, Melissa brings valuable insight into the legal, ethical and risk considerations that influence patient care and health service delivery.

    Melissa has a strong interest in training and education and regularly delivers educational and professional development sessions to clients. She has also contributed to Barry Nilsson's in-house podcast, The Checkup, providing valuable insights on complex legal principles and exploring issues related to Indigenous health

  • Tracy Pickett, Barry Nilsson

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    Tracy Pickett is a Special Counsel in Barry Nilsson’s Insurance and Health team. She has specialised in representing doctors in medico-legal matters for nearly 30 years. Having spent over 10 years working for Australia’s largest medical indemnity insurer, Tracy is attuned to identifying and responding to medico-legal issues on behalf of health professionals.

    As a former director of the Queensland Doctors’ Health Programme, she is aware of the significant impact that claims and complaints can have on medical professionals and seeks to minimise that impact where possible by providing timely and practical advice.

    Tracy is actively involved in Queensland’s medico-legal community and regularly provides education on emerging medico-legal issues.

Attend with Purpose

Supporting CIDP Awareness

This year, we’re proud to support the Klim Foundation and the important work they are doing to raise awareness of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) in Australia. For every guest in attendance, BN will donate $20 to help support their advocacy, education and awareness initiatives.

CIDP is a rare neurological condition that can have a significant impact on individuals and their families. By attending, you’re not only joining valuable conversations but also helping to increase awareness and support those navigating life with this condition.

BN is committed to creating positive community impact through volunteering, fundraising and meaningful partnerships.

Our support of the Klim Foundation helps support their advocacy, education and awareness initiatives.

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