Workforce development
NQPHN is part of a Queensland PHN Consortium selected by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) to deliver the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Workforce Planning and Prioritisation (GP WPP) program in Queensland.
To support the transition to the college-led training model, we are working closely with the Department, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), along with a range of key stakeholders.
The objective of the program is to provide independent, regionally based analysis and advice to the Department on current and future GP workforce needs and training capacity to inform the distribution and placement of GP registrars.
The Queensland PHN Consortium’s role in delivering this program, is the development of workforce needs and training capacity reports to guide the GP colleges in their selection and placement allocation processes. As a member of the Queensland Consortium NQPHN is responsible for leading stakeholder engagement across 43 GP catchments in northern Queensland. Utilising both qualitative and quantitative data, NQPHN will provide advise tailored to reflect the needs of our region.
More information regarding GP catchments is available here.
From 2024, an assessment of training pathways in each PHN region will be undertaken to document options that enable single-placement registrar training and identify where gaps exist that necessitate registrar rotation.
For further information on the GP WPP program refer to the frequently asked questions on the Brisbane North PHN website.
Stakeholder engagement and consultation is a critical element to implementing the GP WPP program and involves collaboration and engagement to integrate data, harness local knowledge, expertise and insights, and to test the recommendations on the GP catchments in greatest need of GP services across the state.
Queensland PHNs will be facilitating a range of formal and informal ways through which stakeholders can inform and shape this work to ensure greater visibility of GP training opportunities and a well distributed GP workforce to service our communities now and in the future. Look out for local activities being held in your area – your contribution will be greatly valued.
For further information on the program or to get in touch, contact your local NQPHN team via email workforce@nqphn.com.au or phone (07) 4034 0300.
If you would like an online or face-to-face consultation with one of the Workforce Planning and Prioritisation Team members please fill out the form here.
Together with Health Workforce Queensland, an initiative has been launched focusing on First Nations workforce development with a specific focus on upskilling, developing, and growing First Nations health workforce.
The First 1,000 days framework outlined a key focus on workforce and innovative workforce modelling.
The key focus of First Nations maternal and child health workforce uplift lead to a partnership between Health Workforce Queensland and NQPHN co-designing and delivering an extensive and comprehensive workforce training and education uplift.
We collaborated with subject matter experts to design and develop a comprehensive program for uplifting the skills and development of the maternal and child health workforce in the entire region.
Health Workforce Queensland in partnership with NQPHN are working to build a sustainable health workforce through the recruitment and retention of general practitioners, nurses, and allied health professionals.
This targeted campaign will focus on recruiting and orientating incoming health professionals to help enhance and grow the current workforce whilst also enhancing in situ health capability in areas of need by upskilling in situ health professionals.
Find out more information on the Health Workforce Queensland website.
eConsultant
eConsultant provides GPs access to specialist advice for adult patients (>16 years). The request for advice is sent from the practice software and a reply will be received from an experienced specialist, within three business days using secure messaging. eConsultant is easily accessed using a template set up within the practice software system (Best Practice or MedicalDirector). At this stage general medicine, endocrinology, and dermatological advice is available via eConsult.
Learn more about eConsult or submit an expression of interest.
The Virtual Integrated Practice (VIP) Program
The Virtual Integrated Practice (VIP) Program was developed in partnership with Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN), Health Workforce Queensland (HWQ), and three general practices in rural/remote Queensland, to support the rural GP workforce and build practice sustainability. This program places GPs into practices to support patients face-to-face at least once every six months, and via telehealth one day a week in between.
Learn more about VIP or submit an expression of interest.
Workforce Planning and Prioritisation program
The Australian General Practice Training Workforce Planning and Prioritisation (GP WPP) program commenced in August 2022 to support the transition to college-led general practice training. The program’s objective is to provide independent analysis and advice on the current and future GP workforce needs, in addition to assessing training capacity to inform the delivery of the Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program. All seven Queensland PHNs are part of a Queensland PHN Consortium selected by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to deliver theGP WPP program in Queensland.
The purpose of this consultation is to engage with general practice staff to identify and gain a better understanding of training capacity within your general practice. Responses to the survey will be used to build our understanding of:
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the enablers or barriers in the recruitment and retention of GP Supervisors
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the enablers and barriers in the recruitment and retention of GP Registrars
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the workforce needs or gaps of local communities.
Participation in the consultation survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
We appreciate you taking the time to complete the consultation and look forward to hearing from you. Your contributions are highly valued.
Have your say and WIN!
By completing a consultation survey by Monday 22 April 2024, you can go into the draw and WIN 1 of 6 Yeti prize packs valued at $218.
- Submit your consultation survey by 11.59pm AEST on Monday 22 April 2024.
- Enter your contact details in the survey to register.
- Competition closes at 11.59pm on Monday 22 April 2024. Prizes will be drawn on Tuesday 23 April 2024, with the winners winners announced in the last week of April (between 29 April – 3 May, 2024).
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