Nhulundu Health Service is set to further expand and develop their service delivery, having recently appointed Jo Paringatai as Manager of Innovation and Service Development.

With a solid background in health management, Jo brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the newly created position. Amongst her credentials she has worked for Queensland Health Mental Health Services, General Manager Brisbane South Medicare Local, State Manager Queensland and Northern Territory Headspace, and General Manager at the Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience – Thompson Institute. 

With an all-encompassing role to develop an integrated service model and enhance service development, Jo said her initial focus was to develop a wellness model that would deliver the best possible health outcomes for clients. “At this stage I’m still familiarising myself with Nhulundu Health Service staff and meeting with the various program coordinators,” she said. “In addition I’ll be reaching out to other organisations such as the Primary Health Networks, Department of Health, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, and others.”

Jo’s role will be to consider new business opportunities that will enhance Nhulundu Health Service’s existing and new programs. “I think this is something that can definitely be expanded and built on,” she said. An example being potential involvement with Gladstone MindCare – a collaboration of health and human service organisations bringing together research, government and non-government organisations and the community to empower the Gladstone community to achieve measureable improvements in mental health wellbeing.

Nhulundu Health Service CEO, Matthew Cooke, welcomed the new appointment saying that Jo’s extensive knowledge and experience in health management would greatly enhance delivery of the primary health care service. “I believe Jo will be a real asset to Nhulundu Health Service,” he said. “I am confident she will help shape our future service delivery and ultimately this is something that will deliver even better health outcomes for our clients and communities.”