The Clinical Council provides a critical overview of the NQPHN regions to ensure that overall investment is in line with the regional HNA.

The council acts in an advisory capacity to the NQPHN Clinical Governance Committee which has the delegated responsibility of the NQPHN Board.

Membership of the council is comprised of GPs, allied health professionals, mental health clinicians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, community/practice nurses, and public health/health promotion representatives. They meet four times a year.

‘Immunisation is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them. Immunisation protects not only individuals, but also others in the community by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.’

Source: Australian Government Department of Health

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) supports vaccine service providers to increase immunisation coverage within the North Queensland region through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and the Immunisation Schedule Queensland.

Immunisation resources, including training and education opportunities, are provided below.

UPDATE: For information on 2024 Flu Vaccinations, visit our Winter Wellness webpage.

As part of the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) ‘Build Back Better – Primary Care’ initiative, an array of support systems are being developed.

Recent events, cyclones, floods, bushfires, and a pandemic have highlighted the value of communication in an emergency response. In the event of an emergency in the NQPHN region, there is a need to be able to provide clear and immediate information to support this response.

To enable NQPHN to support this, we are offering general practices, pharmacies, and Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) the opportunity to subscribe to the NQPHN Emergency SMS Alert System which will send emergency and public health message alerts directly to the subscriber’s nominated mobile phone number.

Special sign-up offer – $500 for your practice/pharmacy/RACH

Sign up to the Emergency SMS Alert System and receive a one-off $500 (exc. GST) payment per practice/pharmacy/RACH that can be used to purchase* resources to assist your emergency response. 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a one-off, optional offer, and not a mandatory requirement to sign up to the Emergency SMS Alert System.

* All purchases made in the preceding 12 months are eligible.

What to do next

Select your relevant organisation below (practice, pharmacy or RACH), read the relevant guidelines, and complete the relevant online form:

There are a number of mental health and wellbeing resources available for use by health care workers, as outlined in the resources section to the right. 

Residents should:

• close windows and doors
• use fans or air conditioning on recirculating mode to keep cool
• keep medications close by if suffering a respiratory condition
• be vigilant in taking prescribed medications for existing lung conditions.

If you have a known respiratory condition such as asthma please have your regular medication at hand and see your GP if you do not feel you are adequately prepared.

Residents should call Triple Zero (000) if you are having health problems or believe your property is under threat.

For more information, view the resources on the right of this page. 

For specific information (including available financial support) on Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which occurred in December 2023, please follow the below tab.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is supporting the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout working alongside Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) to manage and reduce infection rates in facilities, especially ahead of the upcoming festive season.

As a result, NQPHN has initiated the 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program to facilitate an in-reach service for pharmacies to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable persons in RACHs. 

This program provides timely protection for RACH residents, helping to safeguard their health during a period of increased social interaction.

The 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program will finish on 15 December 2024. The last day NQPHN will consider applications for RACH visits under this program is Monday 9 December 2024.

What to do next

Are you a RACH looking to vaccinate your residents?

It is important RACHs know when their residents’ COVID-19 vaccines are due and how to organise vaccinations. If your residents’ regular COVID-19 vaccinator is unavailable, consider contacting pharmacies in your area to enquire about vaccination options for your residents under NQPHN’s 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program.

Please also remind any of your pharmacy vaccinators they may be eligible for support under the 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program.

Are you a pharmacy providing COVID-19 vaccination in-reach services to RACH residents?

If so, please consider applying for support under NQPHN’s 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program using the below steps:

• Complete an RACH COVID-19 In-Reach request form prior to the vaccination service occurring, and receive NQPHN approval.

• Within five days of completing the in-reach service, submit a report (link to be provided by NQPHN) with details of the services provided and a compliant Tax Invoice.

Northern Queensland PHN is working alongside residential aged care homes to manage and reduce infection rates in facilities.

All RACHs in the Northern Queensland PHN region were supported by the PHN to provide vaccinations for all residents and staff.

The PHN continues to actively support all RACHs in the region to ensure vaccinations are available.

Please contact us at preparednessandresponse@nqphn.com.au if we can be of assistance.

Subscribe to receive NQPHN COVID-19 updates for Residential Aged Care Homes.

The Australian Government has provided the following advice for the residential aged care sector regarding COVID-19 vaccines (click on each header to access):

Residents in residential aged care

• Why residents should get vaccinated
• How can I get my recommended COVID-19 vaccinations?
• Which vaccine can I get?
• Providing consent
• Consent by a guardian or substitute decision-maker
• Getting vaccinated before entering an aged care home
• Is evidence of COVID-19 vaccination required?
• Why does my aged care home need to know if I am vaccinated?
• Resources for residents
• Factsheet – Vaccine info for residents in Aged Care homes
• Factsheet – Vaccine booster advice for people with a disability
• Easy read – Vaccine booster advice for people with a disability

Residential aged care service providers

• Vaccination
• Engage with your Primary Health Network
• How to support resident and worker vaccination
• Preparing for COVID-19 vaccination
• How to obtain and record resident consent
• How do I monitor and report adverse events? 

Residential aged care workers

• Why you should be vaccinated against COVID-19
• Why your employer may need to know your vaccination status
• How to prove your vaccination status
• Resources for workers

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE for coronavirus (COVID-19) includes surgical masks, particulate filter respirators (such as P2 or N95), gloves, goggles, glasses, face shields, gowns and aprons. Guidelines on the use of PPE when caring for patients in the non-inpatient settings are available on the Department's website. If you have any questions about the use of PPE or if you require PPE, email agedcarecovidppe@health.gov.au.

Support lines

• A COVID-19 support line has been set up to provide information and support for older Australians, their families and carers. Freecall: 1800 171 866.
• The FriendLine is for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. All conversations with FriendLine are casual and anonymous and friendly volunteers are ready to talk about anything and everything. Call: 1800 424 287.

Public health guidelines

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia has developed these comprehensive national guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities in Australia that cover:

• preparedness and prevention
• a flowchart for COVID-19 management
• swab collection procedure, and more.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Antiviral Treatments factsheet

The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed a new resource, the COVID-19 Vaccination and Antiviral Treatments fact sheet, with information and answers to frequently asked questions for residents living in aged care homes and their families.

Useful websites

• Aged care resources on the Department of Health website
• Aged care sector announcements
• Leading Age Services Australia

Subscribe to receive NQPHN COVID-19 updates for General Practices.

Your local HealthPathways portal provides the latest information about the clinical aspects of COVID-19 vaccination, including advice, delivery, and follow up.

GPs are encouraged to check they have access to HealthPathways.

Access Northern Queensland PHN HealthPathways.

Don't have a login for HealthPathways? Register using the above link.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-based intervention program designed to enhance the emotional, mental, and general psychological wellbeing of all employees and includes services for immediate family members. 

To access this confidential service, please contact AccessEAP on 1800 818 728 and identify as one of these groups when calling into our service, starting with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, then either GP staff or Chemist Staff. 

For more information on AccessEAP, visit their website. 

NQPHN has also created an EAP support poster to advise staff of the service availability: 

• Download poster (General Practices) 
• Download poster (Pharmacies).

Staffed by senior GPs and experienced counsellors trained in doctors’ health, Drs4Drs is a free medical service for GPs seeking support

An initiative from the Department of Health and Medical Board of Australia to ensure GPs have access to care and support when they need it.

This is a 24/7, free and confidential service you can access by calling 1300 Dr4Drs (1300 374 377).

View more information.

• Queensland Doctors’ Health Advisory Service: free and confidential advice 24/7 to medical practitioners and medical students. This support advice includes: matters relating to stress, mental health, personal and financial crises needs. Phone: 07 3833 4352  
• Doctors Health in Queensland: DHQ provides an independent, confidential, colleague-to-colleague support service to assist doctors and medical students.
• RACGP Support Program: free, confidential specialist advice to help cope with professional and personal stressors impacting areas such as, mental health and wellbeing, work performance and personal relationships. Phone: 1300 361 008 . Also see RACGP's Support Services for GPs.
• ACRRM's Employee Assistance Program: free for members experiencing workplace, training, exam, or other stresses or issues impacting your personal wellbeing. Provides immediate, confidential phone counselling support 24/7 in Australia and overseas. Phone 1800 818 728. 
• Nurse & Midwifery Support: free and confidential support 24/7. Counsellors are available to discuss any health-related issues and provide advice and referral for nurses, midwives, nursing students, employers, educators, concerned others and the public. Phone: 1800 667 877  
• CRANAplus Bush Support Services: free and confidential 24/7 telephone and online counselling service for rural and remote health practitioners and their families. Phone: 1800 805 391  
• NewAccess - Beyond Blue: New access is a free service that provides support through a coach who can guide in setting practical goals that will get you back on track.  

Useful PPE resources  

• RACGP:
  • Infection prevention and control guidelines for general practices and other office-based and community-based practices
  • Optimising the use of personal protective equipment in general practice during COVID-19
• Australian Government:
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health workforce resources
• Queensland Health:
  • Infection prevention and control guidance (including PPE advice)
  • Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19 

NQPHN funded APNA and subject matter expert Megan Reilly to deliver webinars for all general practices and pharmacies with information on how to apply infection prevention control in practices/pharmacies and keep the doors open. 

View the third and final webinar, which mirrors the content in the previous two webinars delivered.

Other infection control resources

The following resources are available to assist with the management of infection control: 

• COVID-19 Infection Control Online Training Module   
• Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19 (Australian Government Department of Health) 
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance for Queensland clinicians (Queensland Health) – includes videos on donning and doffing of PPE. 

For the latest clinical practice guidelines in the North Queensland region, please refer to HealthPathways. 

Other useful links 

• RACGP Infection prevention and control guidelines
• RACGP Infection control principles for consulting with suspected cases for COVID-19  
• RACGP – COVID-19 infection-control principles 
• RACGP Patient Alert Posters

Fit testing of P2/N95 masks

Specifically for GPs who are prepared and able to undertake specimen collection in their surgeries. P2/N95 respirators are only required for aerosol generating procedures. 

The Queensland Health Fit Testing of Particulate Filtration Respirators (PFR or P2/N95 respirators) in respiratory protection programs Guidance Document (Fit Testing Document) has been developed to provide guidance and recommendations for decision-makers and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Queensland to support the safe and practical integration of fit testing into respiratory protection programs. 

The following online resources are also available about P2/N95 mask fit checking: 

• Queensland Health P2/N95 mask fit checking
• Further information for health professionals about fit-testing and fit-checking of P2/N95 masks and the use of PPE equipment can be found here. 
• Resp-Fit has comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions.