EOI - Clinical Lead, Northern Region Stroke Network

Expression of Interest

Clinical Lead, Northern Region Stroke Network

Background

The Northern Region Stroke Network provides regional clinical leadership and collaboration across Te Tai Tokerau | Northland, Waitematā, Te Toka Tumai | Auckland and Counties Manukau to support the delivery of equitable, high-quality and sustainable stroke services. The network works in partnership with clinical and operational leaders, Māori and Pacific health leaders, and people with lived experience to address shared challenges, improve service performance and ensure patients and whānau receive timely, consistent care regardless of where they live.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide clinical leadership during a period of active implementation and service improvement. The Clinical Lead will play a key role in supporting regional collaboration, maintaining momentum across priority workstreams, and helping shape future models of care that improve outcomes for patients, whānau and communities across the Northern Region.

Role

The primary purpose of the Clinical Lead role is to provide senior clinical leadership for the Northern Region Stroke Network, support delivery of the agreed regional workplan, and provide strategic clinical advice on service development, equity, quality, sustainability and regional models of care.

In partnership with the Regional Stroke Network Sponsor, Network Programme Manager, mandated Māori clinical leadership, regional Hauora Māori and Pacific Health Service leads, regional clinical and operational leaders, and relevant regional governance forums, the Clinical Lead will be expected to:

· Provide visible clinical leadership and foster strong relationships across district stroke services, senior clinicians, operational leaders, people with lived experience and regional workstreams.

· Lead and champion implementation of the agreed regional Stroke Network workplan and priorities.

· Represent the Northern Region within the National Stroke Clinical Network and contribute to the development and implementation of national priorities, standards and models of care.

· Lead clinical engagement in service improvement, regional service redesign and model of care development, supporting the implementation of regionally consistent, evidence-informed and equitable approaches to stroke service delivery that improve quality, sustainability and outcomes across the Northern Region.

· Support regional accountability for agreed Health NZ targets, performance measures and priority outcomes, including Māori and Pacific outcomes, relevant to stroke services.

· Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and work in partnership with Māori and Pacific health leaders, communities and people with lived experience to improve outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples and other priority populations.

· Provide expert clinical advice on regional stroke service issues, priorities and opportunities referred through regional leadership and governance processes.

· Support the network's governance framework through participation in monitoring, reporting and the provision of clinical advice to the Regional Provider Group (RPG) and other relevant forums.

· Work collaboratively with clinical and operational leaders to address challenges, remove barriers and support delivery of agreed improvements.

Click here for the position description

More about you

You are a medical specialist holding current vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand and a current Annual Practising Certificate, with expertise in a specialty relevant to stroke services.

You will bring senior clinical leadership experience across the stroke services continuum, with the ability to work effectively across organisational and district boundaries. You will be comfortable influencing through relationships, supporting multidisciplinary collaboration, partnering with Māori and Pacific leaders and people with lived experience, and translating complex clinical, operational and equity issues into clear regional priorities and practical actions.

You will have a strong understanding of stroke service delivery, clinical quality, equity, workforce and access challenges, and the ability to provide balanced, evidence-informed advice to support regional planning and decision-making.

Next steps

This Expression of Interest will be released through Health New Zealand intranet sites and district leadership to support an open and transparent process. Potential candidates are asked to provide a covering letter outlining:

· Their reflections on the role and purpose of the regional Stroke Network

· Their relevant clinical leadership experience across stroke services

· How they would support delivery of the agreed regional workplan and priority workstreams

· Their evidence-informed approach to supporting equitable, regionally consistent and whānau-centred stroke care, including how they would partner with Māori, Pacific and lived experience leaders to inform service improvement and regional priorities

· Their ability to commit 0.2 FTE to the role

Applications should be submitted to Emma McDowall, Group Manager Networks, Northern at Emma.McDowall@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz by 10/2026

An interview panel will review and shortlist potential candidates and oversee the appointment process. Questions about the role can be directed to Emma McDowall at Emma.McDowall@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

Job Details

Qualifications: This position is a Core Children's worker under the Children's Act & requires full safety checks completed before any new employee starts

Job Posting: 23/Sep/26, 07/Oct/26

Organisation: Commissioning: Primary & Community

HealthBoard: AUK-Auckland Central-Auckland City Hospital

Job: Medical Specialist & Fellows, Part-time, Variable