From support with new role implementation such as primary care assistants (PCAs) to mapping and redesign of current processes such as repeat prescribing processes, your local Pinnacle development manager can support your changing practice needs.
Rochelle is the newest development manager to join the Pinnacle team, starting in April 2025.
Over the past 15 years Rochelle has held a number of roles in the National Public Health Service and Pharmac, including leading programmes related to immunisations and exceptional circumstances.
With a background in biomedical science and business she has experience in programme management, policy advice, change management and leadership.
With a passion for equitable health service delivery, Rochelle enjoys supporting development and quality improvement, solving problems and improving services.
Heather has had extensive experience in the health sector including general practice as business manager and a variety of project and operational roles in the former Lakes and Bay of Plenty District Health Boards, and NGO sector. Her roles have included project and programme management, continuous quality improvement. service creation, contract management, business development and management.
Heather has been an executive member of the Practice Managers & Administrators of NZ (PMANZ) and is a current Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).
Mark joined Pinnacle in 2010 as a project manager and worked as a business manager at Hamilton East Medical Centre for 18 months, before moving into the business manager role for Primary Health Care Limited (PHCL) in 2012. PHCL is an innovation hub for Pinnacle and he was, and still is, involved in the introduction of numerous new primary care projects into PHCL sites. Covering rural sites, Mark has extensive experience recruiting GP’s from around the world for fixed term and permanent positions. Mark’s role is now split between PHCL and Pinnacle, so he has recent and practical experience of the challenges faced by practices and how these can be addressed.
Michelle joined us from a raft of roles within MSD and Tui Ora (Māori hauora provider in Taranaki) over the past 12 years including health and disability advisor, quality improvement advisor, contracts manager and project management office (PMO) lead. Michelle has experience in policy advisory, funding applications, facilitation, co-design, quality improvement and project management. She thrives on using data combined with whānau voice to support development and quality improvement, whilst influencing and informing the change process.
Bio to come.
Tēnā koe, I whānau mai ahau ki konei, ki Aotearoa (I am a first-generation New Zealander), I tipu mai ahau i roto i te tāone tino nunui o Tamaki Makaurau, ara ko Mangere (I grew up in Auckland in Mangere).
I bring with me clinical knowledge in general practice and community nursing in NZ and UK, my years as a primary care academic researcher and life-long learner, and more recently I was leading a team within Quality and Patient Safety overseeing research, quality improvement, regulatory standards, clinical audit, and policies and guidelines at Te Whatu Ora Waikato. I joined Pinnacle in February 2023 as a senior project manager, moving to the health workforce development manager role in December 2024.
My superpower is being perpetually curious and I love working alongside people to work out how to connect the dots.
Pinnacle development managers work alongside:
We help identify, plan and support the development and delivery of general practice and primary care initiatives. These could include service design and implementation, service re-design and change, quality improvement plans and/or the involvement in other projects identified by internal or external stakeholders. We ensure that work supports the direction and aspirations of practices, Pinnacle and primary care, whilst prioritising the equity to eliminate health disparities particularly for Māori and Pasifika.
Some examples...
On behalf of practices and Pinnacle, development managers also support the operational relationships with NGOs, Māori Hauora providers, Te Whatu Ora, Te Aka Whai Ora and other agencies where required to foster collaborative projects and opportunities that support the aspirations of Pinnacle and/or are responsive to the needs of general practice.
The role will continue to evolve and grow as new expertise is introduced to the team, however as we embed development managers and the practice system support team, there is a need to focus on the strategic opportunities for Pinnacle and practices to ensure we enable and equip both internal and external stakeholders with the information and advice required.
Pinnacle's health workforce development manager is a new role, focusing resource in the area of dynamic general practice.
Collaborating closely with leaders across the organisation, the intention is to design, develop, and deliver targeted workforce development initiatives tailored to the specific needs identified through the survey, workforce trends and network voices.
This will include collaborating in workforce forecasting and strategy development to attract, support, and sustain the workforce.
The role aims to ensure all kaimahi have the opportunity and resources to acquire new skills, and have knowledge of pathways for any desired educational opportunities.
There will be a firm gaze on the development of workforce succession plans, especially in rural localities. Customised tools and resources are being crafted to meet the unique needs of the network. Support of our rural, Māori, and Pasifika workforce, promoting inclusivity and addressing disparities within our community are essential elements.
The role encompasses strategic workforce planning in collaboration with general managers and clinical directors. It involves a comprehensive review of current health needs, service provisions, and piloting new initiatives based on survey data and emerging trends. The goal is to propose services that align with future needs, considering changes required for the organisation to have a workforce fit for purpose.
Maintaining robust relationships is a key aspect, fostering collaboration internally and across the network, including engagement with national and local workforce groups and forums.
Importantly, the role extends beyond organisational boundaries, reaching out to key stakeholders in the health, community, and education sectors. This proactive approach ensures a holistic perspective and a focused effort on reducing inequities in general practice settings, aligning with the network's commitment to providing inclusive and equitable healthcare services.
Some examples of what we can support with...
Tracy Fergus, District Manager - Tairāwhiti
tracy.fergus@pinnacle.health.nz
027 246 1698
Heather Lang, Development Manager
heather.lang@pinnacle.health.nz
027 223 1170
Mark Taylor, Development Manager
mark.taylor@pinnacle.health.nz
027 687 7315
Michelle Atkins, Development Manager
michelle.atkins@pinnacle.health.nz
021 0242 1365
Rochelle West, Development Manager
rochelle.west@pinnacle.health.nz
027 314 9445
Veronique Gibbons, Health Workforce Development Manager
veronique.gibbons@pinnacle.health.nz
021 340 334
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