Anne McDonald

I am currently in the nurse lead role, which focuses on supporting, developing and leading initiatives for nurses working across the mental health and addiction spectrum in New Zealand. For the next nine months I am also acting Skills Matter programme lead, while Fiona Hamilton is on Parental Leave.  In this role I am responsible for managing Skills Matter funding for vocational postgraduate education for people who work in mental health and addiction.

I am a registered nurse, having trained in a hospital setting at Kingseat Hospital in 1980.  I completed my Diploma in Advanced Practice Mental Health Nursing, and Certificate of Primary Care, both at Auckland University.

I have worked in acute and community adult mental health, consultation and liaison psychiatry, child and youth mental health (both inpatient and community settings), and primary mental health for a  Primary Health Organisation. My career in nursing has spanned 30 plus years now, with a range of roles in both frontline and leadership.

True partnerships with the people who use mental health services will lead us in the right direction towards service excellence.