Chronic conditions are the biggest health challenge facing Australia today.
NQPHN’s Chronic Conditions Initiative aims to enhance local service design and support primary care providers in their delivery of integrated, person-centred care for patients with chronic conditions.
The Chronic Conditions Primary Care Package, a key component of the initiative, will be launched in October.
The Chronic Conditions Primary Care Package will support private general practices in the Cairns and Hinterland, Townsville, and Mackay Hospital and Health Service regions to develop place-based models of chronic condition management that target their local populations.
General practices are invited to engage with the Chronic Conditions Primary Care Package through three linked phases:
- Registration of Interest to gain more information about the initiative and determine eligibility to apply through an Expression of Interest.
- Expression of Interest to participate in facilitated model development.
- Application for funding to pilot their model.
The Chronic Conditions Primary Care Package will also support practices to be ready for and engaged with the Strengthening Medicare reform agenda. It will be implemented in conjunction with concurrent NQPHN programs such as the Build Back Better Initiative and the roll-out of the INCA integrated care platform.
Demographics in northern Queensland mean that we have higher rates of chronic conditions than the national average and they will continue to rise – given that prevalence correlates with ageing, socio-economic disadvantage, rurality, and health risk factors. For more information, please see the NQPHN Health Needs Assessment 2022-24.
The primary care setting plays a critical role in preventing and managing chronic conditions. Evidence shows the benefits of ongoing management from a patient-centred, team-based approach focused on self-management and continuity of care. NQPHN is committed to supporting primary care providers to enhance their chronic condition management.
NQPHN Chronic Conditions Strategy
The NQPHN five-year Chronic Conditions Strategy supports the commissioning of this initiative, and other services, that improve primary care prevention, early intervention, and management of chronic conditions.
More information on the strategy can be found here.
eTenderBox Portal
NQPHN’s tender portal, eTenderBox, is a new and improved tendering area. If you aren't already registered on the portal, do so now to avoid missing out on upcoming opportunities. Instructions on how to register are available here.
Next steps
In next steps, an invitation to submit a Registration of Interest will be sent to practices.
