Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), in collaboration with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, and Tully Medical Centre, is pleased to announce the opening of Mission Medical in Mission Beach today. 

Mission Medical is operated by Tully Medical Centre, a local private general practice, which Northern Queensland PHN has funded to expand its services to meet the needs of Mission Beach residents.  

The clinic is the first in Australia to open under the Federal Government’s Thin Markets initiative, designed to service areas with limited access to primary healthcare. 

NQPHN Interim Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said the new general practice in Mission Beach was good news for locals after the town’s only medical centre closed in 2021. 

“The opening of Mission Medical is a positive outcome for the community and follows a tender process to re-establish general practice services in the town,” Mr Tooth said. 

“We know residents have had to travel outside the area to see a GP, and that public transport options are limited. 

“We are proud to work with our partners to achieve this place-based and locally implemented solution for the community.  

“Northern Queensland PHN is committed to ensuring regional, rural, and remote areas have access to high-quality primary healthcare services.” 

A working group, including Northern Queensland PHN, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Health Workforce Queensland, and the Federal Department of Health, formed in September 2023 to advocate for a general practice in Mission Beach. 

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Teresa Millwood said the collaborative approach of like-minded partners had delivered a significant win for the Mission Beach community. 

“Council is very proud to have worked alongside NQPHN and partners over the past two years, strongly advocating for and committing substantial resources to primary health services in Mission Beach as a high-priority need,” Mayor Millwood said.  

“With seeking solutions to issues in regional areas, we need to continually look outside the square, leverage opportunities, and seek like-minded partners to collaborate with. When we are all singing from the same hymn sheet, we can get results.  

“Mission Medical is a fantastic outcome from a lot of hard work by a lot of dedicated and committed people and organisations.” 

Tully Medical Centre’s practice owner and supervisor Dr Kim Favier said they were proud to provide general practice services in Mission Beach.  

“We are delighted to open a satellite practice in Mission Beach to provide more accessible healthcare for residents and reduce the need for lengthy travel to seek medical attention,” Dr Favier said.  

“By establishing this practice, we hope to support people’s individual health and the broader wellbeing of families and community members who have faced limited healthcare options in recent years. 

“We look forward to building lasting relationships with the residents of Mission Beach and are committed to providing compassionate, accessible, and comprehensive care to all.” 

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Leena Singh welcomed the opening of Mission Medical and said the new practice would provide a vital service to the community. 

“We know primary healthcare is the entry level to the health system and plays a critical role in preventing serious injury or illness for patients, particularly through the early detection of disease,” Ms Singh said.  

“Without primary healthcare in our communities, this places pressure on our public health services, increasing the number of people needing to attend our busy emergency departments. 

“Primary healthcare integrates care, prevention, promotion, and education to patients, which also helps keep people out of hospital. 

“A successful health system needs primary healthcare working alongside acute healthcare in order to provide comprehensive healthcare no matter where people live.” 

Health Workforce Queensland Chief Executive Officer Chris Mitchell said: “The re-establishment of general practice services in Mission Beach is an excellent outcome for the community and their healthcare needs. 

“This solution has been achieved through the dedicated effort by local and regional community members and stakeholders working together to achieve the provision of essential GP services locally.” 

Mission Medical opened today (25 November 2024) and will operate Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Residents can call 07 4068 1977 to make an appointment. 

North Queensland general practice, pharmacy, and residential aged care home staff have participated in emergency planning training ahead of the upcoming cyclone and wet season.  

Demand for healthcare services increases during an emergency, making it essential for general practices and pharmacies to maintain their ability to provide critical help during emergencies. 

The training was developed and delivered by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS), Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), and the District Disaster Management Group (DDMG) to assist North Queensland health professionals prepare, respond, and recover from an emergency that may disrupt their usual operations.  

NQPHN Interim Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said general practices and pharmacies, and their teams, were at the heart of healthcare, especially during an emergency.  

“General practitioners, pharmacists, and health professionals, including those in residential aged care homes, are often the first point of contact for community members,” Mr Tooth said. 

“Emergency planning is about being prepared and knowing what to do in all disaster situations,” Mr Tooth said.  

“The recent training addressed a range of emergency responses, including bushfires, significant weather such as a cyclone or flood, like we have seen in recent years, and other health events including the pandemic.” 

The workshop covered disaster management arrangements, the stages of evacuation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of emergency management, and cold chain management.  

“During previous emergencies, we know general practice and pharmacy teams have worked hard to provide people with the best care possible, which demonstrates their commitment to their communities,” Mr Tooth said. 

“Our role in an emergency is to liaise closely with primary care providers to support the District and Local Disaster Management Groups and Hospital and Health Services, so community members can access primary care throughout the response and recovery phases. 

“We would encourage all health professionals to update their key contact details with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, review their website’s resource links, update their checklists and processes for responding to an emergency, and subscribe to the Northern Queensland PHN SMS Emergency Alert System.” 

North Queensland general practices, pharmacies, and aged care homes are invited to opt-in to the Northern Queensland PHN Emergency SMS Alert System. 

Mr Tooth said the 2023-2024 cyclones and the wet seasons, along with recent flooding, bushfires, and the pandemic have highlighted the crucial role of the Emergency SMS Alert System in supporting coordinated emergency response efforts. 

“The purpose of the SMS Alert System for health professionals is to provide an avenue for clear and immediate communications to healthcare providers that’s specific and localised to the relevant to the current emergency,” Mr Tooth said.