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Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, invites service providers in North Queensland to help expand awareness of the importance of vaccination in vulnerable communities.
The objectives of the NQPHN Building Community COVID Vaccination and Awareness Program are to:
- protect those most vulnerable from COVID-19 and other vaccine preventable diseases
- empower community by increasing awareness and uptake of recommended COVID-19 vaccination in communities that are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, due to low vaccination coverage rates
- build partnerships with local agencies and community groups to optimise individual and community uptake of vaccination.
Applicants may seek funding for up to $30,000 (excluding GST) – or earlier if funds are exhausted. The timeframe for the delivery of activities to meet Program objectives is until 31 December 2023. Due to the short funding timeframes, all applications will be assessed upon receipt.
What to do next
- Read the guidelines to understand more about the NQPHN Building Community COVID Vaccination and Awareness Program
- Complete an application form
- Complete a NQPHN Financial Budget form.
Further information
Please contact preparednessandresponse@nqphn.com.au with any questions about the program.
NQPHN, funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care, invites general practices in North Queensland to further improve health outcomes for people requiring primary care out of business hours.
To support general practice and the current increased patient demand for services, NQPHN is offering financial support for general practices to extend their opening hours into the out of usual business hours period to:
- address the additional demands currently being experienced across the health system and our communities
- support the ‘Living with COVID-19’ health care environment moving forward
- help optimise current practice resources, with a view to providing ongoing access to COVID-19 vaccinations
- increase access to GP consultations for patients experiencing respiratory symptoms.
The maximum amount each practice can claim in payments for the LWC 'Open for Business' Program up to 15 December 2023 is $1,500.
General Practices can choose how they break down the $1,500 of funding by conducting:
- 1 x $1,500 Sunday/Public Holiday session
- 1 x $1,000 Saturday session and 1 x $500 Monday to Friday session
- 3 x $500 Monday to Friday sessions.
Note: If your practice is already offering out of usual business hours sessions that match the program's criteria, each participating practice can claim support payments.
The program is the second stage of a wider two-phased approach to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable people across North Queensland.
What to do next
- Read the program factsheet/FAQs to understand more about the 2023 Living with COVID-19 (LWC) 'Open for Business' Program
- Complete a 2023 LWC 'Open for Business' Program request form prior to the proposed session(s) occurring, and receive NQPHN approval before proceeding.
- Within two weeks of the final session occurring, submit a report (link will be provided by NQPHN) with dates the LWC 'Open for Business' Program session(s) took place, and a compliant Tax Invoice.
Further information
Please contact preparednessandresponse@nqphn.com.au with any questions about the program.
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is supporting the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout working alongside Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) to manage and reduce infection rates in facilities.
As a result, NQPHN has initiated the new 2023 Pharmacy RACF Vaccination Program to facilitate an in-reach service for pharmacies to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable persons in RACFs.
The program is the first stage of a wider two-phased approach to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable people across North Queensland.
Pharmacies who elect to participate in the program will be paid the following fee for each visit (however the pharmacy is unable to claim an additional payment from the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC), or others):
- $250 for the first person to receive a vaccination
- $75 for each additional person vaccinated at the same location seen during the same visit.
There is a flat fee for all visits.
Note: Applications for funding for vaccinations administered at a visit will not be considered unless the visit has been previously approved by NQPHN. Funding is available for a limited time only.
This is a program for all pharmacies in the NQPHN region who are currently participating in the DoHAC COVID-19 vaccination program. You do not need to apply to be included in the program.
What to do next
- Read the program factsheet/FAQs to understand more about the 2023 Pharmacy RACF Vaccination Program
- Complete an RACF COVID-19 In-Reach request form prior to the vaccination service occurring, and receive NQPHN approval before proceeding.
- Within five days of completing the in-reach service, submit a report (link provided by NQPHN) with details of the services provided and a compliant Tax Invoice.
Further information
Please contact preparednessandresponse@nqphn.com.au with any questions about the program.
The Emergency Order which allowed pharmacies to attend Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) to vaccinate COVID-19 ended on 29 October 2023.
A new Extended Practice Authority for pharmacists was put into force. This allows pharmacists the opportunity to vaccinate at aged care facilities.
The authority can be found here.
IMPORTANT: The Living with COVID – Positive Case Home Visit Program ceased as of 30 June 2023.
Through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, NQPHN funded general practices (GPs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to provide home visits as clinically required to those people isolating as a result of being affected by COVID-19. This also included home visits to Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) residents.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact the NQPHN Preparedness and Response team at preparednessandresponse@nqphn.com.au
Patients who test positive for COVID-19 and are deemed low risk by Queensland Health may also call GPs requesting reassurance or advice about what to do. You can direct them to:
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Queensland Health's report a positive rapid antigen test
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what to do next if you become positive
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the first steps if you have COVD-19
-
RACGP guide to managing COVID-19 at home.
Your patients may ask you what to do to prepare. You can direct them to:
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Queensland Health's Get COVID-Ready website
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putting together a COVID-Ready kit
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creating a COVID-19 care plan for adults and for parents/carers of children
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COVID-19 symptom diary
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where to get help, and
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Healthdirect's symptom checker.
Use the COVID-19 Symptom and Antiviral Eligibility Checker to find out if you need medical help or if you may be eligible for antiviral medication.
General practices are being asked to focus on care for people with moderate risk.
People triaged as moderate risk through the COVID-19 symptom checker are advised to seek care from their GP. The vast majority of care will be delivered by telehealth.
GPs should refer to their local HealthPathways for up-to-date information on the clinical management of these patients, including escalation pathways if people deteriorate and referral to disease modifying treatments such as monoclonal antibodies.
Access Northern Queensland PHN HealthPathways.
Don't have a login for HealthPathways? Register using the above link.
COVID Primary Care Support Service (Living with COVID) update (18 September 2023)
HealthDirect Australia has advised that the current COVID Primary Care Support Service (Living with COVID) expires on 30 September 2023.
- From 4 October 2023, if a Queensland consumer calls the National Coronavirus Helpline (NCH) and selects ‘clinical’, they will be diverted back to 13HEALTH.
- In early December, if a Queensland consumer calls the NCH and selects ‘general’, they will be diverted back to 13HEALTH.
Queensland Health has updated the state-wide COVID-19 model of care (COVID-19 care pathways). The pathway includes an expanded virtual care model, expanded triage system for people with symptoms of COVID-19. Consumers will be risk stratified to identify the most appropriate care pathway for them. The pathways are:
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Get well at home.
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Get COVID-19 care at home under the supervision of a GP or health worker.
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Get COVID-19 care at home from a virtual hospital.
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Be admitted to a COVID-19 hospital ward.
COVID-19 escalation pathway
The COVID-19 escalation pathway diagram has been published on the Queensland Health COVID Information for primary care web page.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has extended the healthdirect Video Call COVID-19 GP Program to 31 December 2023.
We encourage you to continue using this secure video consulting platform which has been purpose-built for primary care settings, in line with the changes to the telehealth MBS items.
- For GPs in private practice wanting to use the service, please register your practice.
- For GPs in ACCHOs wanting to use the service, please register for access.
- RACGP CPD accredited training in healthdirect Video Call is available for your practice – please register here for essential training.
The Taskforce works to provide the best COVID-19 evidence that supports clinicians to provide the best possible care for Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Taskforce undertakes continuous evidence surveillance to identify and rapidly synthesise emerging research in order to provide national, evidence-based guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19.
The Queensland Government has produced a community recovery document which outlines support available for people who are in COVID-19 quarantine, including:
- Vulnerable people in hotel or home quarantine who have no other means of support, can access assistance by calling the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
- People in quarantine can access the wellbeing resources which includes daily activities and helpful information and contact details for a range of supports and services.
- A comprehensive community service directory listing support contacts for COVID-19, general and mental health, as well as other practical services and support.
- Brochures containing a range of local and general community support services are available to individuals and their families across Queensland.
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