Current procurements
Primary Health Networks (PHNs) have been established with the key objective of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of primary care services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes. Their aim is to improve coordination of care and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, as well as to undertake population health planning to identify and address local needs.
The purpose of the Primary Care Commissioning Panel (PCCP) is to ensure that practical recommendations and advice from a clinical perspective are included as part of NQPHN’s commissioning activity and the development of new models of care, investment, and to progress outcomes in accordance with the strategic intent of NQPHN.
NQPHN is continually seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) for additional members to join the PCCP, which was formed in 2022. EOIs are open to clinicians located in the Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, and the Cape and Torres regions.
NQPHN will convene the panel as required as per the Department of Health and Aged Care funding directives and informed by the NQPHN Strategic Plan and Health Needs Assessment (HNA).
Meetings may be delivered in Mackay, Townsville, and/or Cairns face to face and/or via videoconference. Members of the NQPHN PCCP who are engaged to contribute to design and development processes will be eligible for remuneration for their contribution and other expenses will be reimbursed (e.g., travel, accommodation).
These roles provide an excellent opportunity to help shape the delivery of primary health care in North Queensland.
- general practitioners
- allied health professionals
- pharmacists
- nurse practitioners
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Workers in General Practice or in Aboriginal Medical Services
- practice nurses
- practice managers.
- chronic disease management
- mental health and alcohol and other drugs
- child and maternal health
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- older persons health
- dementia and palliative care
- afterhours care
- public health/determinants of health
- other special interest areas (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, LGBTQI+, young people, and vulnerable peoples).
- The ability to make recommendations on clinical matters, aligned with commissioning priorities and with an understanding of the local primary care context.
- Must be registered with AHPRA, or other relevant agency, or currently in clinical practice within a primary care setting.
- The ability to assess complex primary care issues and suggest appropriate strategies.
- The ability to promote a culture that implements best practice based on evidence.
- The ability to consider the diverse needs of the North Queensland community.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in primary care in North Queensland.
Click here to fill out the PCCP EOI application form.
Along with the application form, you will also be required to upload a cover letter (maximum of two pages) specifying:
- the region you represent (Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Cape and Torres)
- your professional experience
- your area of interest
- the contribution you believe you can make to the PCCP based on the selection criteria above.
Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs
NQPHN actively supports two specific initiatives aimed at fostering community-wide collaboration and achieving collective impact across the region: Suicide Prevention Community Action Plans (SPCAP) and Targeted Regional Initiatives for Suicide Prevention (TRISP).
For the past six years, NQPHN has prioritised dedicating resources to facilitate the co-design of Suicide Prevention Community Action Plans (SPCAPs).
There are currently five active SPCAPs across our region. Click on the links below to read more.
From 1 July 2023, a new lead agency has been appointed as the backbone organisation for the Townsville, Burdekin, and Whitsunday, Isaac, and Mackay SPCAPs.
NQPHN will approach regional strategic needs and future-proofing through targeted initiatives focused on workforce, lived experience governance, regional stakeholder collaborations, and innovation enhancement.
A list of mental health and suicide prevention support services are listed in the drop down table below. Please note, NQPHN and the SPCAP lead agencies are not crisis or emergency services. For urgent support, call any of the numbers listed in the table below. If you need immediate help or are at risk of harm to yourself or others, call 000.
|
Service
|
Description
|
Contact details
|
Website
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 YARN | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line. Available 24/7. No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. | 13 92 76 | www.13yarn.org.au |
| 1800 RESPECT | Free, 24/7 support for people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence. | 1800 732 732 | www.1800respect.org.au |
| Beyond Blue | 24/7 support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders, and other related mental illnesses. | 1300 224 636 | www.beyondblue.org.au |
| Head to Health | Local general mental health advice and support. You can make a free call to Head to Health between 8.30am-5pm weekdays (except public holidays). | 1800595212 | www.headtohealth.gov.au |
| Lifeline Australia | Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention. | 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au |
| Townsville Head to Health | If in Townsville, you can visit the Head to Health Centre at 32 Walker Street from 10am to 10pm, 7 days per week for free mental health advice and support. | 1800 595 212 | www.headtohealth.gov.au |
| StandBy Support After Suicide Service | 24-hour community-based, suicide postvention program for people bereaved by suicide. | 1300 727 247 | www.standbysupport.com.au |
| Suicide Call Back Service | Free counselling for suicide prevention & mental health via telephone, online & video for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts, 24/7. | 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au |
| QLife | LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. | 1800 184 527 | www.qlife.org.au |
Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs
Medicare Mental Health Centres (formerly Head to Health Centres) are a new approach to supporting people with their mental health and social and emotional wellbeing.
The centres provide a welcoming soft entry point for adults who are experiencing distress or crisis, including those with mental health concerns that are too complex for many primary healthcare services, but who are not eligible for Queensland Health community mental health services.
The centres offer immediate support, without the need for a referral or appointment. They also provide help to connect people with other available services, and ongoing care for those who need it.
Mackay Medicare Mental Health Centre is a new service being commissioned by NPQHN in partnership with Mackay Hospital and Health Service.
To inform this new service, a comprehensive local codesign process will be undertaken throughout 2025. Community members, service providers, primary care clinicians, and other stakeholders will be invited to help design the service to best meet the needs of the Mackay community. Using a strengths-based approach, we will take learnings from previous codesign activities and focus on building on existing services and resources in the region, recognising what is working well already, and how we fill gaps or enhance current activity to meet needs.
Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG)
A dedicated Lived Experience Advisory Group will be established to help guide the commissioning of the centre. The Expression of Interest process for this is now open and will close Monday 21 April at 2pm.
Consultation and codesign activities will begin from April 2025.
NQPHN is proud to be working with Neami National, the lead agency for the Townsville Medicare Mental Health Centre.
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You can visit the centre at 32 Walker Street, Townsville or call (07) 4766 8444.
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The centre is open seven days a week and provides extended hours to improve access for the community.
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Visit the Townsville Head to Health website for more information.
Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre is being commissioned by NQPHN in partnership with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, NQPHN and CHHHS engaged in a comprehensive local co-design process. A detailed summary of this work can be found here.
In early 2025, Mind Australia was announced as the lead agency for the Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre. Read announcement here.
Interim services are expected to commence in mid-2025 with the centre opening later in 2025.