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NQPHN distributes 182,000 PPE items to GPs and ACCHOs

More than 182,000 items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been distributed over the past week to primary healthcare providers across North Queensland to help protect healthcare workers and the wider community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian Government Department of Health recently tasked Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) to distribute PPE from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) as part of the Government’s $180 million Living with COVID-19 Primary Care Package.

After receiving the supply, NQPHN has now couriered PPE to 71 local general practices, GP Respiratory Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) which are treating COVID positive patients.

To date, NQPHN has distributed the following across North Queensland:

48,900 surgical face masks
48,800 gloves
44,320 P2/N95 face masks
19,531 surgical gowns
19,430 eye goggles
978 hand sanitisers
355 pulse oximeters
100 face shields.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said it was important that healthcare professionals have access to the critical PPE supplies they require to continue to safely consult with their patients during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“The safety of our healthcare workers and the communities to which they provide health services is of paramount importance during a pandemic like COVID-19,” Ms Whyte said.

“After being informed of the PPE being made available, we quickly assembled a team which assisted in taking delivery, opening, sorting, repacking and organising couriers for these items for primary healthcare providers across North Queensland,” Ms Whyte said.

“It was a significant logistical task, and our team did an amazing job to ensure all PPE orders were fulfilled within just a few days.

“I would like to thank everyone in the primary care sector for continuing to work together with NQPHN and the broader health care sector to protect our community here in North Queensland.

“Primary care plays a vital role in saving lives and protecting the health of our communities, and PPE plays a crucial role in achieving that.”

Dedicated health professionals in North Queensland saluted on International Nurses Day

Residents across North Queensland are encouraged to join communities around the world in celebrating the contribution of nurses on International Nurses Day today (12 May).

Townsville nurse Natalie Hardy

International Nurses Day commemorates the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

This year’s theme, ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead’, focuses on the changes to and innovations in nursing, especially in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and how this will ultimately shape the future of healthcare.

Natalie Hardy, a nurse at Upper Ross Medical Centre in Townsville, is a local example of how nurses are evolving and innovating to improve a patient’s health journey.

Natalie is currently helping to lead the way in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 through her vaccination and education work at the practice’s GP Respiratory Clinic.

“Through the pandemic, I’ve seen my role evolve to much more of a focus on education,” she said.

“People seem to be more at ease when I answer their questions about the COVID vaccine, and what they need know before I administer the vaccine.

“I enjoy the part of my job that is educating people around the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine and how we’re protecting each other as a community.

“Nurses have also had to adapt to the increasing use of telehealth that gives us greater flexibility in how we are able to continue to provide patients with the health care they need.”

Natalie said she had always had a passion for nursing from a very young age.

“My mum says that from about the time I was four, she always knew I was going to end up being a nurse,” Natalie said.

“I would see the nurses pull up across the road to check on elderly patients, and I would run out of my house to go and help.

“My biggest reason for being a nurse is the ongoing relationships I get to have with the patients, for example with their care plans and immunisations.

“I’ve always enjoyed being part of their whole-of-life health journey, and I’m doing what I truly love.”

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said nurses, as the healthcare profession with the largest number of members, play an integral part in health care for the community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nurses are at the frontline of detecting, managing, and preventing the spread of this virus, as well as playing a key role in education across the spectrum of preventative health,” she said.

“I wish all nurses the very best on International Nurses Day, a day to reflect on the significant and crucial part they play in improving our health.”

For more information on International Nurses Day, visit www.icnvoicetolead.com

Living with COVID-19 workshops held across North Queensland

Over the past few weeks, NQPHN has collaborated with primary care service providers and Queensland Health to bring together key health professionals in workshops to commence planning the next stage of the ongoing pandemic – living with COVID-19.

The sessions have allowed both face-to-face and online attendance, with an impressive number of total participants in each region to date:

Cairns (150+ attendees)
Townsville (160+ attendees from two sessions)
Mackay (60 attendees)

The workshops have been a great opportunity for health experts to collaborate on a whole-of-system approach to protect the wider community as borders reopen and international travel resumes. A huge thanks to GPs, pharmacies, and local Hospital and Health Services for taking part in these vital, ongoing discussions.

Vaccine Works campaign

Sarina

COVID-19 vaccine providers in Sarina are the first to be showcased in a new campaign which highlights the incredible work primary care providers are doing to help protect North Queenslanders during the ongoing pandemic.

A patient receives their COVID-19 vaccine at Awal Medical Centre in Sarina

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network’s (NQPHN) Vaccine Works campaign spotlights the region’s vaccinating general practices and pharmacies, and focuses on the primary care sector’s highly-successful role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland.

In Sarina, three general practices and two pharmacies are currently vaccinating the local community:

Awal Medical
Sarina Family Practice
Sarina Clinic
Terry White Chemmart Sarina
Sarina Discount Drugstore.

As of today (15 October 2021), these five primary care providers have together delivered more than 7,800 COVID vaccines to the wider Sarina community, which has a population of approximately 7,000 people.

Awal Medical has led the way, administering more than 4,700 doses from its practice since March this year.

Practice Manager Yogita Awal said Awal Medical has been involved in the national COVID vaccination program rollout since day one.

“We felt it was important to us to keep the Sarina community COVID safe,” Yogita said.

“We believe in protecting the community and reducing the burden on the health system. Our message is ‘Get the jab. Vaccine works’.”

Terry White Chemmart Sarina has administered more than 450 vaccines over the past two months after pharmacies joined the vaccination rollout program in August.

Owner Therese Lambert said: “We even opened out of hours last week and did a clinic with over 30 walk-ins.

“I love helping the community by offering them options to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Ms Lambert said she is also heading to Australia's largest rail freight operator Aurizon next week at their Jilalan depot to offer vaccination clinics for employees and their families.

Dr Shahanaz Meer, Practice Principal at Sarina Clinic, said her practice had administered more than 2,000 AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines to the Sarina community since March 2021.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte praised Sarina’s vaccinating GPs and pharmacies, and said the primary care sector is playing a key role in the ever-increasing rate of COVID-19 vaccinations across North Queensland.

“Our Vaccine Works campaign is about showcasing our local primary care providers for all the amazing work they’ve done over the past few months to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland and protect our community,” Ms Whyte said.

“Primary care plays a vital role in the national vaccination rollout program, as it has the capacity to vaccinate in a distributed model by offering place-based solutions in local communities.

“North Queensland, due to its geography, presents unique challenges and opportunities, and the incredible work of general practices and pharmacies in our region will support us to reach our vaccination targets sooner rather than later.”

In North Queensland, there are currently 135 general practices, 115 pharmacies, 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and four GP-led Respiratory Clinics administering COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna).

To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, including at Queensland Health clinics, people are encouraged to use the Australian Government’s official COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au

Ingham

COVID-19 vaccine providers in the Hinchinbrook region are the latest to be showcased in a new campaign which highlights the incredible work primary care providers are doing to help protect North Queenslanders during the ongoing pandemic.

Pharmacist Andrew Gilberto from Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy vaccinates a patient

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network’s (NQPHN) Vaccine Works campaign spotlights the region’s vaccinating general practices and pharmacies and focuses on the primary care sector’s highly successful role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland.

In Ingham, two general practices and three pharmacies are currently vaccinating the local community:

Ingham Family Medical Practice
Hinchinbrook Health Care
Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy
Ingham Plaza Pharmacy
Sadleirs Pharmacy.

As of today (27 October 2021), Ingham Family Medical Practice and Hinchinbrook Health Care have together delivered more than 10,000 COVID vaccines to the wider Hinchinbrook community, which has one of the highest COVID vaccination rates in Queensland.

Hinchinbrook Health Care has been vaccinating the local Ingham community since the vaccination rollout program began earlier this year.

“We’ve been actively involved in vaccinating our community against COVID-19, and have been flat out since March,” said Dr Stewart Jackson, GP at Hinchinbrook Health Care.

“We have a supportive community who respect GP advice and I feel this has contributed to a high take-up rate.

“At our peak we were administering 200 vaccines a day, as well as doing core general practice work. As you can imagine, our practice waiting room was insanely busy!

“Our job is a long way from being finished, but we have the best nursing and front office staff who assist in running efficient clinics, and we are proud to contribute to the public health battle against this disease.”

Ingham Family Medical Practice has innovative ways of ensuring patients are comfortable during the vaccination process.

“We have kangaroos on site, cared for by one of our nurses and there to entertain the patients, who love coming along to see the animals while they wait outside on the veranda with music in the background and a cool breeze blowing through,” said Practice Manager Jessica Lavarini.

“We have great experience and teamwork, with our practice nurses and reception staff really stepping up and managing the situation with calm efficiency.

“We know we cannot live forever isolated and believe that we have done an amazing job as a community to vaccinate as many of the at risk as we can.

“Our sympathies for those whose lives and employment have been greatly affected throughout the pandemic, but hopefully as the situation goes forward and people continue to be vaccinated, we will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said he believes the early intervention work done at the start of the vaccination rollout had played a major role in the high vaccination rate for the Ingham community.

“People in our district recognised early on that the elderly are among the most vulnerable and because of our caring nature, everyone hooked in and got the job done to lessen the risk to our community,” said Mayor Jayo.

“I have no doubt it was the early intervention and initiative from our medical practitioners and how hard they pushed and publicly campaigned which convinced their patients to get vaccinated, and they should be rightly commended for this.”

Andrew Giliberto from Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy said his pharmacy felt privileged to be a part of vaccinating the local community to protect them against COVID-19.

“Hinchinbrook Shire has a largely ageing population, therefore it is of paramount importance that each and every member of our community do their part to protect their neighbours, family, and friends.

“Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy is proud to be on the frontline of the vaccine rollout to safeguard the people of the Lower Herbert and beyond.”

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte praised Ingham’s vaccinating GPs and pharmacies and said the primary care sector is playing a key role in the ever-increasing rate of COVID-19 vaccinations across North Queensland.

“Our Vaccine Works campaign is about showcasing our local primary care providers for all the amazing work they’ve done over the past few months to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland and protect our community,” Ms Whyte said.

“Primary care plays a vital role in the national vaccination rollout program, as it has the capacity to vaccinate in a distributed model by offering place-based solutions in local communities.

“North Queensland, due to its geography, presents unique challenges and opportunities, and the incredible work of general practices and pharmacies in our region will support us to reach our vaccination targets sooner rather than later.”

In North Queensland, there are currently 135 general practices, 115 pharmacies, 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and four GP-led Respiratory Clinics administering COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna).

To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, including at Queensland Health clinics, people are encouraged to use the Australian Government’s official COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au

Innisfail

COVID-19 vaccine providers in the Innisfail region are the latest to be showcased in a new campaign which highlights the incredible work primary care providers are doing to help protect North Queenslanders during the ongoing pandemic.

Innisfail Family Health Assistant Practice Manager – Annette Ah Shay (left) receives her COVID-19 vaccine from Registered Nurse Michelle McCarthy

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network’s (NQPHN) Vaccine Works campaign spotlights the region’s vaccinating general practices and pharmacies and focuses on the primary care sector’s highly successful role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland.

In Innisfail, general practices and pharmacies are currently vaccinating the local community, including:

Rankin Street Medical Centre
Innisfail Family Health
Innisfail Medical Centre
Chemist Warehouse.

As of today (2 November 2021), Rankin Street Medical Centre, Innisfail Family Health, and Chemist Warehouse have together delivered more than 12,000 COVID vaccines to the wider Innisfail community, which has a population of approximately 10,000 people.

Rankin Street Medical Centre has been vaccinating the local Innisfail community since the vaccination rollout program began earlier this year, establishing a stand-alone vaccination site.

“We decided very early that vaccinating all the adults in the area was never going to happen in a reasonable timeframe without a high-throughput designated facility,” said Dr Simon Birchley, GP at Rankin Street Medical Centre.

“Fortunately, a suitable site for such a stand-alone clinic was available next to our practice, with computer and telephone connectivity, and the model has worked pretty well.

“The real heroes have been our staff – managing the bookings, stock control, and vaccination process while dealing with a constant and at times overwhelming number of calls and walk-in questions about timing and eligibility in the early months.”

Innisfail Family Health has been vaccinating local residents with both Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

“As a Registered Nurse (RN), I have a responsibility to ensure I educate and encourage members of the public to be vaccinated,” said practice RN Michelle McCarthy.

Joel Ng, Managing Partner and pharmacist at Chemist Warehouse Innisfail, said it has been great to see pharmacies able to administer COVID-19 vaccines to the community.

“Chemist Warehouse Innisfail was one of the first few pharmacies approved for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout,” said Mr Ng.

“The uptake of the vaccine has been very positive from the Innisfail community.

“We were fully booked on our vaccination days and had to increase the booking slot in order to accommodate for the demand.”

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte praised Innisfail’s vaccinating GPs and pharmacies and said the primary care sector is playing a key role in the ever-increasing rate of COVID-19 vaccinations across North Queensland.

“Our Vaccine Works campaign is about showcasing our local primary care providers for all the amazing work they’ve done over the past few months to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland and protect our community,” Ms Whyte said.

In North Queensland, there are currently 135 general practices, 115 pharmacies, 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and four GP-led Respiratory Clinics administering COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna).

To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, including at Queensland Health clinics, people are encouraged to use the Australian Government’s official COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au

Townsville

GP respiratory clinics in Townsville and Charters Towers are the latest to be showcased in a COVID-19 campaign which highlights the incredible work primary care providers are doing to help protect North Queenslanders during the ongoing pandemic.

A patient receives a COVID vaccine at Townsville GP Respiratory Clinic

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network’s (NQPHN) Vaccine Works campaign spotlights the region’s vaccinating general practices and pharmacies, and focuses on the primary care sector’s highly successful role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland.

GP respiratory clinics have been operating across Australia since last year to assess people with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms and test and diagnose cases including COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia, and this year joined the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout program.

In the Townsville Hospital and Health Service region, two GP respiratory clinics are currently vaccinating the local community:

Townsville GP Respiratory Clinic (located at Upper Ross Medical Centre)
Charters Towers GP Respiratory Clinic (located at Gold City Medical Centre).

As of today (15 November 2021), Townsville GP Respiratory Clinic and Charters Towers GP Respiratory Clinic have together delivered more than 14,000 COVID vaccines to their local communities.

Townsville GP Respiratory Clinic has been vaccinating the local Townsville community since the vaccination rollout program began earlier this year.

“We have been supporting our community since the start of COVID-19, doing assessment and testing with our respiratory clinic, and the inclusion of vaccinating is now an extension of that,” said Practice Manager Kerrie Rankin.

“We are pretty proud of being able to do this for the community, but without the support of our teams, including reception and nurses, we wouldn’t have been able to do it and we appreciate everything that they have contributed.”

National Rural Health Commissioner Professor Ruth Stewart said the two North Queensland clinics, along with other GP respiratory clinics across Australia, have been a centre piece in the action to keep COVID-19 out of rural and remote Australia.

“These clinics were established very early in the pandemic so that people who may have been infected with the virus could be quickly tested in an environment that was safe for them, their community and the health professionals looking after them,” said Professor Stewart.

“Since then the staff of GP respiratory clinics have been working tirelessly to detect any cases and to vaccinate their communities.

“I thank them from the bottom of my heart and pay tribute to their service and dedication.”

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte praised the two GP respiratory clinics and said the primary care sector is playing a key role in the ever-increasing rate of COVID-19 vaccinations across North Queensland.

“Our Vaccine Works campaign is about showcasing our local primary care providers for all the amazing work they’ve done over the past few months to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland and protect our community,” Ms Whyte said.

“Primary care plays a vital role in the national vaccination rollout program, as it has the capacity to vaccinate in a distributed model by offering place-based solutions in local communities.

“North Queensland, due to its geography, presents unique challenges and opportunities, and the incredible work of general practices and pharmacies in our region will support us to reach our vaccination targets sooner rather than later.”

In North Queensland, there are currently 137 general practices, 106 pharmacies, 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and four GP-led Respiratory Clinics administering COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna).

To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, including at Queensland Health clinics, people are encouraged to use the Australian Government’s official COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au

Cairns

Cairns West Medical Centre is the latest general practice to be showcased in a new COVID-19 campaign which highlights the incredible work primary care providers are doing to help protect North Queenslanders during the ongoing pandemic.

A patient receives a COVID-19 vaccine at Cairns West Medical Centre

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is collaborating with the region’s vaccinating general practices and pharmacies on the Vaccine Works campaign, which focuses on the primary care sector’s highly successful role in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland.

Cairns West Medical Centre on Hoare Street has now administered more than 1,000 doses to the local community since coming on board this year as a COVID-19 vaccinating practice.

General Practitioner Dr Peter Vanrietvelde said his practice, which takes bookings and walk-ins, has been administering the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, with Moderna available soon to the public.

“We provide first and second shots, and now booster shots too, for anyone aged 12 and above,” Dr Vanrietvelde said.

“COVID-19 vaccination is an important program to inject optimism and a way out of the pandemic, allowing us to regain our freedoms.

“Vaccination has also been found to be both safe and effective.”

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte praised Cairns West Medical Centre, and said the primary care sector is playing a key role in the ever-increasing rate of COVID-19 vaccinations across North Queensland.

“Our Vaccine Works campaign is about showcasing our local primary care providers for all the amazing work they’ve done over the past few months to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Queensland and protect our community,” Ms Whyte said.

“Primary care plays a vital role in the national vaccination rollout program, as it has the capacity to vaccinate in a distributed model by offering place-based solutions in local communities.

“North Queensland, due to its geography, presents unique challenges and opportunities, and the incredible work of general practices and pharmacies in our region will help us reach our vaccination targets sooner rather than later.”

In North Queensland, there are currently 137 general practices, 106 pharmacies, 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, and four GP-led Respiratory Clinics administering COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna).

To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, including at Queensland Health clinics, people are encouraged to use the Australian Government’s official COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au

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