Submissions for Northern Queensland Primary Health Network’s (NQPHN’s) two Distress Brief Support service tenders in the Tablelands and Mareeba regions close on Tuesday, 12 November 2024. 

Distress Brief Support is a new community-based approach that will provide immediate help to people in the Tablelands and Mareeba regions when they experience stress and distress. 

NQPHN Interim Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said through its two tender processes, NQPHN was searching for organisations and community groups to deliver the service. 

“We are looking for one organisation to provide training and support to the community engagement points. They may also have partners that can deliver some of this work,” he said. 

“We are also looking for one or two organisations that can employ the short-term support team.” 

The Distress Brief Support service will combine two kinds of support:  

• Community engagement points: These are people within the community who will be supported to offer an immediate and compassionate response and connect those in distress to the short-term support team. 

• Short-term support team: This dedicated team will provide person-centred, practical assistance for up to three weeks for those in distress. The short-term service will explore strengths-based solutions and longer-term support options, including existing community-based groups, sporting clubs, or other healthcare options.  

Organisations can access the tender documents and submit their application through the online portal on the NQPHN website here. 

The tenders close at 2pm (Queensland time) on Tuesday 12 November 2024.  

Thirteen community groups and organisations in North Queensland have received grants to support local wellness and suicide prevention activities that meet the specific needs of people in their communities.   

Funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), the grants are part of the Targeted Regional Initiative for Suicide Prevention (TRISP) program and are designed to promote effective, accessible, and affordable community-led activities to help those experiencing distress or who are at risk of suicide. 

The grants focus on two types of community-led and innovative initiatives: 

• Project-ready initiatives: Projects that are already developed and ready to be launched or are already being implemented and need more financial support to continue.   

• Pitch-ready initiatives: A working concept or idea that needs financial support to become project ready. Pitch-ready grant recipients also have access to a free coaching program to help them turn their concept into a ready-to-launch initiative. 

The groups and organisations that received the grants include: 

Project-ready grants

Pitch-ready grants

NQPHN Interim Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said the grants would help address the factors that contributed to suicide in North Queensland. 

“We know suicide can be linked to feelings of helplessness or being overwhelmed, as well as stressful life events such as relationship difficulties, social isolation, loss of a job or income, and financial or housing stress,” Mr Tooth said. 

“In the past 12 months, our teams have actively engaged with a diverse and inclusive range of people regarding community wellness and suicide prevention activities in North Queensland. 

"We’ve been inspired by the innovative initiatives that have been created by and for the community, and more specifically for their local area.” 

Mr Tooth said the grants aimed to help groups and organisations support people to positively impact their life.  

“Suicide prevention ideas from community groups and organisations include an Aboriginal men’s health alliance, women’s camps, help for carers, and a program for young neurodivergent people,” Mr Tooth said. 

“Project-ready initiatives include training staff, engagement and educational material, workshops for female veterans, a play and workshops for at-risk young First Nations people, a men’s group, and a community action plan for the Bhutanese community of Cairns, which are all exciting opportunities and much needed in our communities.” 

Mr Tooth said he hoped to see more community wellness and suicide prevention grants go to groups and organisations in the future.  

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is pleased to announce the seven providers that will deliver expanded psychological therapy services for older persons in residential aged care homes (RACHs) in Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay, and surrounding rural and remote areas. 

The Psychological Therapies in RACHs program aims to improve access to psychological therapies for North Queensland aged care residents experiencing mental health challenges.  

The expanded program recognises the specialist nature of working with older people residing in homes and the importance of RACH staff, and the person’s family members and friends, when delivering the services.  

According to the NQPHN Health Needs Assessment 2022-2024, older people with psychogeriatric care needs can find it hard to access care outside hospitals, and those with mental health challenges in aged care or disability settings struggle to access mental health services. 

The expanded services will be delivered by: 

NQPHN Interim Chief Executive Officer Ben Tooth said the PHN was dedicated to implementing the program in collaboration with RACHs, residents and their families, staff, and service providers. 

“Elderly residents in aged care homes often don’t have access to mental health services as part of their care, despite a high rate of mental health challenges,” Mr Tooth said.  

“The successful providers will engage in co-design activities with the aged care homes in their region to ensure services meet the specific needs of older people. 

“Ultimately, we want to make sure individuals living in residential homes are placed at the centre of their own health and wellbeing, and experience improved care and mental health.” 

Mr Tooth said NQPHN was pleased to be working with the successful service providers to implement the Psychological Therapies in RACHs program.  

Mental health service provider North & West Remote Health (NWRH) will deliver the service across Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay. 

NWRH CEO John Cain said NWRH had delivered psychological support services to North Queensland aged care home residents for many years. 

“This time in a person’s and family's life can be very challenging and we hope to make a positive impact with meaningful connections and tailored supports for all involved,” Mr Cain said. 

“Our clinicians are trained and supported to provide psychological services within a unique context specific to aged care and residential settings. 

“We have developed a mature and respectful partnership with NQPHN that supports our shared goals of delivering better health outcomes to the people of North Queensland.”    

Cairns region 

Breathe Easy Counselling, in Atherton, provides individualised psychological therapy services to aged care residents who are experiencing or at increased risk of mental health challenges.  

Owner/operator Kellie Myers said relationships with staff and residents was key to the success of the service.  

“Working with older people to improve their lives is a great privilege and this partnership means I can provide an ongoing and sustainable service to this isolated group of people,” Ms Myers said. 

“At Breathe Easy Counselling, we work closely with aged care homes to improve their capacity to identify vulnerable residents and create a more responsive environment where the mental health needs of residents are prioritised and treated, ultimately improving the quality of care for all residents. 

“As a local provider, I can provide mental health services to aged care homes that’s underpinned by my knowledge of the community, its history, and its culture.” 

Mental health service provider for the Cairns region Judith Groube said her private practice would plan and implement services for residents, in a way that respected their individual needs and goals, along with RACH’s roles and responsibilities. 

“I am excited for the opportunity to participate in the redesigned model of psychological therapies in Far North Queensland aged care homes,” she said.  

“I will continue to provide services to 10 aged care homes across Cairns, Mareeba, Port Douglas, and Mossman. 

“As part of the codesign, we will be inviting feedback and input from residents, family members and friends, and staff.” 

Townsville region 

Achieving Change Counselling is a small local service in Townsville that currently delivers psychological interventions in aged care homes.  

Manager Amanda Kruger said: “We believe that these services create a supportive environment that promotes dignity, autonomy, and a higher quality of life for older adults in aged care settings.  

“Our experienced team will provide a range of services and have a genuine understanding and compassion for the challenges faced by older adults, we offer an environment that is safe and trusting, and enhances the therapeutic relationship. 

“We are very honoured to have been successful in partnering with the NQPHN in delivering a high-quality service to residents in aged care facilities.”  

Darran Smith from Create Psychology NQ said the team was dedicated to improving mental health services for residents and their families in the Townsville region. 

“We bring specialised mental health services to those in aged care who need them the most,” Mr Smith said. 

“Create Psychology NQ is pleased to partner with Northern Queensland PHN to strengthen our commitment to supporting aged care residents' mental wellbeing across North Queensland.  

“The service will enhance residents’ wellbeing by providing tailored psychological support within aged care settings.” 

Mackay region 

Kelly Health Mental Health and Addiction Solutions nurse practitioner and credentialed mental health nurse Tania Kelly said the organisation had delivered compassionate, evidence-based psychological support services to residents of aged care homes in Mackay since 2020. 

“Our service strives to enhance the quality of life and well-being of residents, while supporting the staff and families who care for them,” she said. 

“We are thrilled to bring these much-needed services to Mackay's vulnerable ageing population.” 

Rhonda Robinson, Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at CARE4MH, emphasised the vital role of mental health services in enhancing the quality of life for individuals living in aged care homes. 

“The CARE4MH team is proud to provide psychological therapies directly into residential aged care homes,” said Ms Robinson. 

“Our dedicated and experienced mental health clinicians have long been committed to providing compassionate, specialised support to older persons, their families, carers, and the staff in these facilities. 

“This is a crucial service that will help meet the unique needs of this community and help improve their quality of life.” 

The successful providers underwent a competitive tender process, which involved input from various stakeholders. 

The tender processes are for:

• One lead agency to provide training and support to Community Engagement Points (who may have partners who deliver some of this work)

• One or two agencies to employ the Short-Term Support Team (applicants will be able to apply to deliver in the Tablelands Regional Council region and/or the Mareeba Shire Council region).

Tender documentation and submissions are managed through NQPHN’s online tender portal, which you can register for on the NQPHN website here. Any questions regarding the tender are also to be submitted through the online tender portal.

NQPHN is a public company limited by guarantee incorporated under the Corporations Act. It is one of 31 Primary Health Networks managing funds allocated by the Australian Government.

NQPHN is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, funded to commission services to meet the health needs and priorities of the North Queensland region (St Lawrence in the south coast, up to the Torres Strait in the north, and west to Croydon and Kowanyama). Copies of NQPHN’s Constitution, Joint Regional Needs Assessment (JRNA), and Strategic Plan overview are available at NQPHN’s website - www.nqphn.com.au

NQPHN is seeking EOI applications from individuals with the qualifications, knowledge, experience, and attributes that will contribute to the organisation achieving its vision of northern Queenslanders living happier, healthier, longer lives.

Applications will be considered and reviewed by the NQPHN Nominations and Remuneration Committee (NRC). Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed, and once appointed, the successful applicant will be required to commence at the 5 November 2024 CGC Meeting.

Northern Queensland nurses new to working outside a hospital setting or wanting to become a nurse mentor can now apply for the Transition to Practice program. 

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), in partnership with Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), has funded additional places in the Transition to Practice program.  

Since 2019, NQPHN has provided funding for more than 50 nurses and 25 mentors to complete the program. 

APNA’s Transition to Practice program is an eight-month education, support, and mentoring program for nurses new to primary healthcare. Nurses moving into primary healthcare will be matched with an experienced nurse mentor.  

NQPHN Executive Director Health System Integration and Innovation Karin Barron said the program was open to graduate and experienced nurses. 

“Practice nurses are a very important part of a primary care team. They provide personalised patient care, coordinate the management of chronic conditions, deliver preventative healthcare, and provide education and information to improve the overall health and wellbeing of patients,” Mrs Barron said. 

“The program will assist nurses to develop their skills and knowledge, whether they are new to general practice or have worked in primary care for some time.” 

APNA's Rebekah Cox, the program manager for Transition to Practice, encouraged nurses and mentors to apply. 

“We know that the APNA Transition to Practice Program supports nurses to build their career path and aids recruitment and retention of nurses new to primary health care,” Ms Cox said. 

“APNA is delighted to be partnering with Northern Queensland PHN on these great new initiatives.” 

Motivated nurses with more than four or more years’ experience in primary healthcare are also being encouraged to become clinical and professional mentors. Remuneration is provided to complete training and work with mentees. 

Mrs Barron said there had been many success stories of nurses who had taken part in the program as a mentee or mentor. 

Read the good news stories here: 

• Meet practice nurse Abagail  

• Meet nurse mentor Valencia  

To find out more about the program, visit the APNA website here or register your interest register your interest here.