I have worked for 30 years in multidisciplinary public health settings in management and academia. My research focus is on primary health care service flexibility and planning.

Since 2000 I have been a chief investigator on 20 research and consultancy projects worth $4.4M. These have focused mainly on how health systems can meet the needs of underserved populations. My scientific papers, reports and conference presentations (over 190) cover qualitative and quantitative methods across rural public health planning, mental health, chronic disease management, Aboriginal health and immigrant health

Recent work includes a review of the effectiveness of collaborative strategies in primary mental health care and the True Blue RCT on the practice nurse management of comorbid depression & chronic physical illness. I was a chief investigator in the Centre of Research Excellence in Primary Health Care Microsystems that examined the system of quality and safety in General Practice. My team has just completed the project “Together for the Mental Health of Older People” on the network management of integrated primary care across health, aged and social services.