Information reference group

Te Pou’s work is informed by the national mental health and addiction information reference group.

This group of information experts was assembled in 2014 and meets quarterly. Members are:

• Dr Barry Welsh – principal advisor, Ministry of Health
• Kevin Harper - team leader, mental health and addiction  services Ministry of Health
• Frank Bristol – business manager, Balance NZ
• Ian McKenzie – general manager mental health services Northland DHB
• Dr Malcolm Stewart – independent information expert and consultant psychologist
• Phillipa Gaines – independent information expert
• Dr David Menkes – associate professor of psychiatry, University of Auckland
• Robyn Shearer (Chair) – chief executive, Te Pou
• Richard Woodcock – national service and information manager, Te Pou
• Paul Hanton – clinical lead, Te Pou
• Mark Smith – clinical lead, Te Pou
• Cara Thomas – clinical lead, Te Pou
• Susanna Galea - clinical director, community alcohol and drug services, Waitematā DHB
• Toni Gutschlag - general manager mental health services, Canterbury DHB  
• Karla Bergquist - general manager, Emerge Aotearoa
• Chris Munro - service manager, adult mental health services, Southern DHB

More people will be invited to join this group, to ensure a range of expertise within the group.

Mark's blog

Mark Smith, Te Pou clinical lead, writes a blog after each information reference group meeting, shown in the 'stories' section on this page.