More than 1050 North Queenslanders have had their say on the region’s healthcare future, taking part in the Joint Regional Needs Assessment (JRNA) survey to help shape healthcare outcomes and access to services in their region. 

With the survey open until 16 August 2024, Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is encouraging both community members and healthcare professionals to have their say. 

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Sean Rooney said the responses to date had been extremely informative and it wasn’t too late to be involved.  

“It’s important for all community members to have their say on their region's healthcare because they are the ones using the services,” Mr Rooney said. 

“It’s also imperative that we hear from a wide cross-section of people, including those under 24, LGBTIQ+, First Nations, and older persons. 

“Through the survey, you can tell us what’s impacting you and your community, and what your health needs are so we can plan better health services and achieve improved outcomes for all northern Queensland residents.” 

Information collected through the short survey will help to develop North Queensland’s first JRNA, a collaboration between Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), and Torres and Cape, Cairns and Hinterland, Townsville, and Mackay Hospital and Health Services (HHSs). 

Community members, healthcare professionals, politicians, and sector representatives are encouraged to take the 10-minute online survey here. 

More information on the JRNA can be found on the NQPHN website at www.nqphn.com.au/JRNA  

Today Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) proudly celebrates the 200th edition of its NQ Primary Health Update enewsletter.

First published on 14 October 2015, the fortnightly NQ Primary Health Update has become a valued resource for almost 4,000 health professionals to stay informed and connected, essential in delivering quality care to northern Queenslanders.

One of the key purposes of the newsletter is to keep health professionals abreast of the latest primary health care news.

With a new and refreshed look, it provides health professionals with recent NQPHN news and our available tenders and job vacancies, plus other updates that align with our Strategic Plan and priority areas, including the Department of Health and Aged Care and commissioned providers.

The NQ Primary Health Update enewsletter also includes the “Our Region, Our People” campaign, a series of articles that introduces readers to human interest stories from across the North Queensland region and captures local people living happier and healthier lives.

As we mark the 200th edition of the NQ Primary Health Update, we thank all contributors, readers, and supporters.

Your commitment to advancing primary health care will continue to make the newsletter a valued resource for health professionals across the region.

NQPHN remains dedicated to delivering primary health information and news through the NQ Primary Health Update enewsletter every fortnight to support North Queensland health professionals and further our vision of all North Queenslanders living happier, healthier, longer lives.

You can subscribe to the NQ Primary Health Update here.

Read issue 200 here.

First Nations families in the Cape York region are receiving more timely access to care thanks to a new program providing targeted support for women and children in their first 1,000 days. 

The First 1,000 Days Social and Emotional Wellbeing program is funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and aligns with the Better Health North Queensland (NQ) Alliance First 1,000 Days Framework.  

The program focuses on maternal and child health, and the social and emotional wellbeing of mothers, fathers, carers, and children to help reduce health inequities and ensure all children in the region have a healthy start to life. 

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Sean Rooney said the first 1,000 days was a critical time in a child’s life, with early experiences being a predictor of health, development, education, and social outcomes, both in childhood and later in life. 

“The first 1,000 days is defined as the period from conception through to a child’s second birthday. During this period, parents and children may receive access to a range of care and supports, including pregnancy care, birthing, post-birth care, and child development,” Mr Rooney said. 

“The program aims to improve health outcomes for First Nations families and communities by providing care coordination and improving access to primary health care, including culturally appropriate mainstream services, while keeping them connected to their community. 

“It allows mothers, fathers, and children to stay in touch with their communities and support systems while they are away to have their babies.” 

Mr Rooney said NQPHN had worked with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), Hospital and Health Services (HHSs), the Department of Education and Early Childhood, Tropical Public Health, the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), and digital health organisations from across northern Queensland to collaboratively codesign and develop the new models of care so they are relevant to each community. 

In the Cape York region, Northern Peninsula Area Family and Community Services (NPAFACS) is delivering the program and since implementation has co-ordinated care for more than 40 NPA mothers and their young children. 

NPAFACS Project Manager Health Projects Ugari Nona said children from birth to four years old made up 6.3 per cent of the population in Queensland, but in the NPA region they made up 14.4 per cent of the population.   

“We don’t have birthing facilities in the NPA, so women either go to Cairns, Thursday Island, or Townsville to birth their babies,” Ms Nona said. “This can mean they are away from their communities, sometimes for many weeks, at this crucial time in their family’s lives. 

“When we saw the opportunity to be part of the First 1,000 Days program, we knew it would help ensure that mothers, children, dads, and families had someone watching out for them and linking them to the resources they needed in those early days from birth to a child’s second birthday. 

“Before we started the program, we went into our communities to hear from women about their birth experiences and the social contexts that either helped them and their children thrive, or imposed challenges on them, their babies, and their families.   

“We heard from more than 62 women over eight groups and 19 men over two groups. One of our strongest findings is the importance of sustaining women’s connection to each other during pregnancy and birth, with one of their strongest desires to be able to birth our babies in the Northern Peninsula Area.”   

Meanwhile, Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan Aboriginal Corporation is supporting Cape York and Torres Strait women, many who may experience difficult births. Mookai Rosie has seen more than 20 women and children from the Cape York and Torres regions through the First 1,000 Days program. 

CEO Theresa Simpson said Mookai Rosie’s integrated team maternity care model would not only be delivered in Cairns, but also into communities. 

“We are very excited to be a part of the wraparound multidisciplinary model that creates a culturally safe and supported environment with comprehensive continuity of care options for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Ms Simpson said. 

“We are also excited to be able to develop the capacity, capability, and confidence of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce so care provision is safe now and into the future.    

“Our NQPHN-funded mental health practitioners will work with GPs, nurses, midwives, health workers, and healthcare partners to identify a wide range of risk factors contributing to a family’s pregnancy outcomes.  

“Early identification will enable the implementation of codesigned strategies to address these risks, enhancing family health across the first 1,000 days.”  

Mr Rooney said NQPHN was committed to working with First Nations organisations to develop models of care that best supported the needs of their communities. 

The First 1,000 Days program aligns with the NQ First 1,000 Days Framework and the National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017–2023. The NQ First 1,000 Days Framework was developed by the Better Health NQ Alliance, including key partner Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS). 

Maria Liza Acabo Edubas Callaghan is a registered nurse, midwife, and migration law graduate passionate about building compassionate communities.  

Her dedication to this work is reflected through her role at Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) as the Older Person's Health and Palliative Care Manager, and her pro bono work in the community. 

Maria was recently nominated for a Cairns Regional Council International Women’s Day Woman of the Year Award for her pro bono work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women, who are in Australia on temporary partner visas and experiencing domestic violence, and her work with NQPHN’s North Queensland Health Community Connectors Network. 

Through her advocacy and hands-on engagement in building compassionate communities from Weipa to Maroochydore, Maria has worked with countless CALD individuals, family carers, and community groups. 

“I strive to help improve the health, wellbeing, and lives of people in our region – and I love it. It fulfills my need to contribute,” she said.  

“Women experiencing domestic violence are vulnerable. CALD women on temporary partner visas are even more vulnerable as they have next to no support network. 

“What I have seen is that when these women get the courage to reach out for support, their partner may emotionally blackmail them by saying they will stop the partner visa sponsorship or that they will be deported. 

“Sadly, many CALD women in these situations believe their partner because they don’t have a support system or access to the right information.” 

Maria said her role within the CALD community was to empower women with information and choices. 

“I help them understand that they have choices and there are laws to protect them here in Australia,” she said. “If necessary, I also identify and connect them to available services. This is the same concept as Compassionate Communities.” 

Compassionate Communities is a globally recognised approach to improving the end-of-life experience for people by establishing local networks, groups, and services to be more conscious, aware, and equipped to offer support. 

Through NQPHN, Maria has led the implementation of the North Queensland Health Community Connectors Network, under the Compassionate Communities movement, training more than 350 health community connectors to help people access the services they need as they age, are near the end of their life, or who are grieving loss.  

“As a Compassionate Communities builder and health community connector, I help establish a wrap-around informal support network for families affected by life-limiting illnesses so they can access the services they need,” she said. 

Maria currently chairs the North Queensland Palliative Care Interagency Steering Committee, which brings together peak bodies, government departments, service providers and compassionate health community connectors.