At the Accreditation Matters 2026 Celebration Dinner, NATA came together to recognise the people whose expertise, time and commitment continue to strengthen Australia’s accreditation system through outstanding volunteer contribution.
The award, named in honour of Alastair Ross AM, acknowledges a NATA volunteer whose dedication, expertise and service have made a significant and lasting contribution to NATA, to accreditation, and to the broader technical and scientific community.
Volunteer involvement has always been central to NATA’s work. Across assessment programs, technical committees and governance structures, volunteers contribute specialist knowledge and practical insight that help maintain the integrity and relevance of accreditation. Their work strengthens standards, supports robust assessment processes and reinforces confidence in the systems that underpin quality and safety across Australia.
2026 Recipient: Professor John Wheatley
The 2026 NATA Alastair Ross Award was presented to Professor John Wheatley in recognition of his long-standing contribution to accreditation in sleep and respiratory services.
Professor Wheatley has played a pivotal role in the development and ongoing success of NATA’s Sleep Disorders Services accreditation program and has more recently supported the advancement of the Respiratory Services program. His work has helped bring these clinical areas into greater focus within NATA’s accreditation framework, supported updates to relevant standards, and contributed to alignment with internationally recognised frameworks, including ISO 15189.
His service to NATA includes:
– Member, Sleep Steering Committee (2010–2012)
– Member, Sleep Disorders Services Accreditation Advisory Committee (2012–2024)
– Chair, Sleep Disorders Services AAC (2016–2024)
Beyond committee leadership, Professor Wheatley has contributed extensively as an assessor over more than a decade, bringing deep technical expertise, sound judgement and practical insight to the assessment process. He has also been a strong advocate for accreditation, sharing his expertise through presentations and stakeholder engagement, and highlighting its role in improving laboratory testing and patient outcomes.
Professor Wheatley is a Clinical Professor in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at the University of Sydney and Director of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Westmead Hospital. He holds qualifications including MB BS (Hons), PhD and FRACP, and is widely respected for his leadership in clinical practice, research and national and international collaboration in sleep and respiratory health.
Professor Wheatley’s contribution reflects the purpose and spirit of the Alastair Ross Award: sustained commitment, technical excellence and a genuine dedication to strengthening accreditation systems that support better outcomes for the community.
Through his work with NATA, he has helped strengthen accreditation frameworks, supported accredited facilities and contributed to improved outcomes for clinicians, patients and the broader healthcare system.
NATA congratulates Professor John Wheatley on being named the 2026 recipient of the Alastair Ross Award and acknowledges his significant and lasting contribution to accreditation in Australia.