Page 56 - Tropic Magazine Issue 28

TROPIC • HEALTH

New networks

CEO APPOINTMENT
Tropic sat down with Robin
Whyte, the new CEO of
Northern Queensland Primary
Health Network (NQPHN).

Words: Annabel Bowles
From a London Business School MBA primary health care sector. Working with played a key role in providing advice
to overseeing Melbourne’s healthcare all kinds of services – from hospitals to to the Andrews government on the
services through the thick of COVID-19, respiratory clinics, GPs and allied health community’s needs during COVID-19.
it appears there’s little Robin Whyte’s to Aboriginal Community Controlled Prior to that, Robin held executive
left untouched in her career. But as she Health Organisations (ACCHOs) – roles across a number of healthcare
lists the many areas she’s worked in, NQPHN provides strategic advice settings. She tells Tropic one of the most
Robin remains excited for her new role and commissions primary health care memorable moments of her career saw
in the Far North as CEO of Northern services that help North Queenslanders her secure an urgently needed $22 million
Queensland Primary Health Network. live happier, healthier, longer lives. redevelopment for a small rural hospital
Covering four key regions in northern Since relocating to the Tropical North in regional Victoria. Becoming Australia’s
Queensland – Cairns, Cape and Torres, earlier this year, Robin tells Tropic she first female Senior Manager at Accenture
Mackay and Townsville – NQPHN is spent much of her first few weeks Strategy Group, an international
one of 31 Primary Health Networks exploring the region. “One of my first consulting company, was another of
(PHNs) in Australia established by the priorities in this role is to go to the Robin’s milestones.
Federal Government to ensure local furthermost reaches of our catchment
communities have better access to the and meet our stakeholders there,
particularly the ACCHOs,” she said.
“These organisations really look at their These organisations really
communities holistically and don’t take
a siloed approach to services, which is look at their communities
a great strength and a principle I really holistically and don’t take a
support. I want to establish strong
working relationships with these siloed approach
organisations, understand what their to services.
priorities are, and help them reach their
strategic potential.” Robin Whyte
Robin explains that PHNs have a CEO, NQPHN
particular focus on understanding the
PHN priority areas needs of local populations, and in “filling An MBA at the London Business School
the gaps” where local services may was her “turning point” in pursuing a
be lacking. Around two-thirds of the place at the table of decision-makers, and
MENTAL HEALTH organisation’s work is in mental health, an experience she still reflects on today.
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “Through my MBA I was in contact with
ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS health and primary care workforce being some of the most incredible, bright-
two other key priorities. “The more that minded people doing astounding things,”
AGED CARE we can keep people being looked after Robin said. “Then as a consultant I got to
in their local community, the better off understand how leading CEOs operate
DIGITAL HEALTH everyone is,” Robin said. and what’s possible within organisations.
“Keeping people well and out of hospitals, I want to bring all of these experiences to
ABORIGINAL & TORRES which are complex, expensive and often NQPHN and work with local healthcare
STRAIT ISLANDER HEALTH overburdened places to deliver services – professionals and groups to really lift
that’s the value of a strong primary care their potential.”
POPULATION HEALTH sector.” Robin’s new position follows on
from four years as the CEO of Eastern
WORKFORCE Melbourne PHN and Chair of Eastern MORE: nqphn.com.au
Metropolitan Partnership, where she

56 • Tropic • Issue 28