We're making some changes to the governance structure and senior leadership of Ventures. From 1 January 2022 Ventures and Pinnacle Midlands Health Network will be governed by one board, and one group chief executive will lead both subsidiaries.

We are pleased to announce Helen Parker Pinnacle chief executive has been offered a six-month secondment to the Health System Reform Transition Unit for three days a week, starting next week.

Under chief executive Christine Hall’s leadership, Ventures is now focused on two key areas: not for profit ownership of a network of practices via Primary Health Care Ltd, and maximising the potential of technology to enable better health outcomes.

Congratulations to the winners, runners up and highly commended entries in the 2021 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards | He Tohu Mauri Ora!

Bharat Mahajan, a 28 year old clinical services manager – mental health for Pinnacle has won the title of Mr Gay New Zealand 2021. Already recognised as a young leader in the health sector, Bharat impressed the judges and the voting public to take the winner’s sash at The Big Gay Out in February.

In her latest blog, Jan Adams, nursing director summarises some of the hive of activity going on at Pinnacle as we begin 2021.

Gary Thompson (Ngaati Paoa, Ngaati Hauaa) is the new chair of Te Taumata Hauora, Māori Advisory Committee.

After nearly 32 years of network leadership Dr Frank Cullen stood down from the executive committee at the AGM held last week.

We are pleased to confirm that Katy and Sam Smith will be joining the Taranaki locality team from Monday 16 November. Katy and Sam will be sharing the GP liaison and locum role, which means there will be no break in the locum service for Taranaki.

Over the past few months we have been developing the Pinnacle Group strategy by doing a lot of listening, both within the Pinnacle network and also with other providers, agencies and iwi.