Announcement of Nelson Bays Primary Health chief executive

Nelson Bays Primary Health (NBPH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sara Shaughnessy as Chief Executive, who will commence her tenure in early June.

Sara Shaughnessy will move from her current position of Director Mental Health and Integrated Care, including Cancer Care service Acting General Manager Hastings McLean and Coffs Harbour Networks in Mid North Coast District Health board in New South Wales.

Sara has an extensive background in the health systems both here in New Zealand and in Australia. Her particular strengths lie in:

• Strategic health operational management

• Clinical service delivery settings including primary, secondary and tertiary care both in Australia and New Zealand

• Integrated care and hospital prevention services in regional settings both private and public

• Valued Based health care priorities

• Mental Health and Addiction

• Cancer Care services, and

• Primary Integrated programmes.

Sara has an original background as a registered nurse who has undertaken various qualifications including Master of Health Science from Otago University.

John Hunter, Chairperson of the NBPH Board says “We are fortunate to attract someone of Sara Shaughnessy’s calibreand experience to lead NBPH. Her experience and leadership in both primary and integrated secondary care in New Zealand and Australia settings will serve us well in Nelson Bays changing future healthcare needs.”

Sara Shaughnessy says “I look forward to joining and living in the Nelson community and working with our health partners including general practice, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board and the many community providers of services which focus on health and wellbeing for our communities in the region.”