About the Health Practitioners in Primary Schools (HPPS) Program
The Queensland Government is providing a free primary healthcare service, delivered by a Health Practitioner (GP or Nurse Practitioner) at 20 state primary schools. Access to timely and appropriate healthcare has positive impacts for student’s health and wellbeing. Health Practitioners will facilitate referrals to support services and other allied health services as required.
The HPPS Program
- Supports the establishment of a fit-for-purpose Health Practitioner clinic at 20 state primary schools.
- Provides state primary students (i.e., students in prep to year 6) free access to a Health Practitioner (General Practitioner or Nurse Practitioner) for timely and appropriate healthcare.
Health Practitioners working in the HPPS Program will:
- provide a service to students within the school-based clinic one day per week during school terms
- have a strong interest in children and adolescent health
- be required to bulk-bill student appointments through Medicare as students and their families will not bear any consultation costs for students to access service.
Role of the school Health Practitioner
- The focus for the Health Practitioner in the HPPS program is to identify health concerns impacting student learning at school and to make referrals to medical specialists, allied health professionals or other external agencies when required.
- As the HPPS program focuses on early intervention of development issues, Health Practitioners may provide reports and assessment to parents and/or the school (with the consent of parent/student) about student development.
The school health practitioner will provide the majority of services that students would be able to access at a community-based healthcare clinic, including:
- physical assessments
- prescribing medications
- health screening (hearing tests and eye tests)
- direct referral of students to other medical specialists and allied healthcare professionals
- mental health assessments and plans
- administering vaccinations
- ordering diagnostic tests
- interpreting test results.
Parents/carers are expected to attend appointments to be actively involved in discussions with the Health Practitioner about their child’s healthcare.
Financial assistance and support
The Department of Education will provide financial support to the successful Health Practitioner, including $1,250 per day to assist with the operation of the school-based clinic.
Fit-for-purpose clinic room and equipment
Schools will provide Health Practitioners with:
- free use of a furnished, fit-for purpose clinic room and waiting area
- administration support from an appointed Administrative Coordinator to manage the bookings process and clinic reception and waiting area
- all large pieces of equipment to establish the clinic including items such as an examination bed with privacy curtain and other equipment as negotiated with the Health Practitioner.
Health Practitioners provide:
- their own computer, medical record keeping software, internet, medical instruments and medical consumables required to facilitate ongoing service delivery.
Qualifications
GPs who provide a service in a school as part of the HPPS Program must be:
- accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- hold a fellowship with either the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Nurse Practitioners who provide a service in a school as part of the HPPS Program must be:
- accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a Nurse Practitioner.
How to apply
If you are interested in participating in the HPPS Program, please send your expression of interest to the Student Wellbeing team at GPsinSchools@qed.qld.gov.au and a member of our team will be in contact.
To learn more about the school, visit https://gordonvaless.eq.edu.au/