Services will help address the current gaps in afterhours primary health care delivery in the Mackay and Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) regions.
The NQPHN Health Needs Assessment (HNA) 2022-24 confirms a demonstrated lack of comprehensive after-hours services, including access to general practices and pharmacies, with patients finding it harder to access afterhours primary care, particularly where primary care services are already limited during normal hours.
The limited availability of primary care services after hours can lead to the potentially inappropriate use of emergency departments (EDs) and other urgent-care services. A rising need for afterhours services to Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) has also been identified.
NQPHN has committed to taking a population-based approach to commissioning the After Hours Primary Care service delivery to be further defined as accessible and effective primary healthcare for people whose health condition cannot wait for treatment until regular primary healthcare services are next available.
NQPHN is seeking delivery of RACGP and/or AHPRA-accredited primary care provider-led models of care. Models of care may include new proposed service initiatives or initiatives that build on existing services to improve reach, and/or more comprehensively, meet regional afterhours primary health care needs.
The afterhours primary care services will ultimately complement existing health services in the HHS areas, be tailored to meet local needs, and help reduce the reliance on EDs and avoidable hospitalisations after hours for people whose health conditions cannot wait for health care during normal hours.
Organisations wanting to submit a tender application can visit NQPHN’s online procurement portal here.
A virtual market briefing session will be held on Thursday 27 April 2023 from 7am to 8am. Organisations can register their interest to attend here.
In addition, NQPHN is offering grant and tender writing training sessions across northern Queensland in April. More information and registration details are available on the links below.
- Mackay: Tuesday 18 April, 6pm-8pm
- Cairns: Wednesday 19 April, 6pm-8pm
- Townsville: Thursday 20 April, 6pm-8pm
The RFP closes on 15 May 2023.
