Penny Jones

Director Integrated Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Mid North Coast Local Health District

After beginning her professional journey in 1997, Penny embarked on her New Graduate year in Cardiothoracic ICU and Emergency before transitioning into Paediatrics and Child Health, eventually discovering her passion for Mental Health. As a foundational member of the Gna Ka Lun Adolescent Tertiary Referral Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit, Penny demonstrated a natural alignment with the strategic and therapeutic imperatives of mental health care, cementing her place in this field.

Recognising the need to deepen her expertise, Penny pursued advanced education, completing a Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nursing, followed swiftly by a Master of Nursing (Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) in 2006. Her transition into Emergency Mental Health further refined her skill set, enabling her to conduct rapid mental health and drug health assessments, manage the complexities of the Mental Health Act, and provide critical consultation-liaison services across the district. This experience laid the foundation for a broader strategic vision that would shape her future roles.

Penny’s move into the private sector as Director of Nursing at an inpatient and outpatient Mental Health, Detoxification, and Rehabilitation Clinic marked a important point in her leadership development. Here, she led her first national standards accreditation, achieving multiple "Met with Merit" distinctions, particularly in consumer partnerships. Her focus on embedding consumer engagement as a cornerstone of quality care continues to inform her approach today.

Her academic trajectory expanded further with a double Master’s degree in Public Health and Health Management from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). During her tenure at an affiliated health organisation specialising in perinatal and infant mental health, Penny served as Chief Operating Officer at Karitane, where she contributed to the field’s knowledge base by publishing in a peer-reviewed journal, specifically developing the Family Outcomes Screen tool. This achievement highlighted her commitment to integrating research and practice in innovative ways to enhance service delivery.

Returning to the public sector, Penny assumed the role of Director of Integrated Care at South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD). In this capacity, she played a key role in the development and implementation of the state-based Patient Flow Portal, a strategic tool designed to optimise patient care pathways. Additionally, she successfully led the integration of the Collaborative Medical Neighbourhood Model of Care between the Local Health District (LHD) and Primary Health Networks (PHNs), illustrating her ability to foster cross-sector collaboration to enhance health outcomes.

Currently, Penny has relocated to the Mid North Coast Local Health District, where she is leading the development of Integrated Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs services for the district. Her strategic leadership has resulted in securing multiple funding grants, significantly improving the district’s financial sustainability and capacity for service delivery. Under her guidance, the establishment of the EMHARRT (Emergency Mental Health and Alcohol & Other Drugs Response Team) has not only enhanced patient outcomes but also optimised key performance indicators, including admission rates and lengths of stay. Penny has also been instrumental in forging international partnerships, advancing both clinical and cultural reform in alignment with global best practices.

A dedicated advocate for innovation, Penny has championed translational research that directly informs clinical practice. Her involvement in a major translational research trial has led to evidence-based improvements in mental health and nursing, showcasing her ability to integrate research findings into practical service improvements. Additionally, her leadership has driven measurable improvements in budget management and fiscal outcomes, further solidifying her reputation for effectively balancing strategic, clinical, and financial priorities in mental health care service delivery.