Summary of works

Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)

• Commissioning for headspace Townsville and Mackay is underway through a select tender process. It is hoped that a new lead agency will be announced publicly in June.
• A suitably qualified evaluation team is being engaged to work with NQPHN and the sector to review the current stepped model of care. In particular, NQPHN is keen to understand what is working well, what areas need improvement, and how new initiatives and opportunities can better connect with stepped care.

Population Health Priorities

• NQPHN is currently reviewing the After Hours program and taking a 2 phased approach to commissioning. Phase 1 will see us working with existing providers to aim for better reach across the NQPHN footprint. Phase 2 will involve development of an After Hours Regional Plan and new commissioning approach to align with the Department of Health Operational Guidelines once they are released.
• The First 1000 Days of Life framework is under development using a collaborative approach on behalf of Better Health North Queensland Alliance and involving a broad range of stakeholders.  Once the framework and Joint Implementation Plans are developed, NQPHN will work to commission the key priority initiatives identified. Stakeholder engagement is underway and has proactively sought involvement from organisations within the First Nations health, primary care, and tertiary care sectors. If you are interested in understanding more about this work please contact Melinda Hammond on email melinda.hammond@nqphn.com.au
• Work to develop the NQPHN Chronic Conditions Management and Prevention Strategy will commence with the sector in June with an aim to complete the Strategy by September, and commission services thereafter that enable implementation of the priorities identified. Co-commissioning with other funding entities will be explored in this work, as will the encouragement of consortiums to form to mobilise priority services collaboratively.

First Nations Health

• The Integrated Team Care (ITC) program has been commissioned. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations will continue to deliver ITC and they will now also support general practice to provide ITC through mainstream services.
• You can find out more about the changes to the Integrated Team Care program here

Download Commissioning priorities infographic here

Facilitated by NQPHN, in partnership with Reframe Osteoporosis, the workshop provided nurses with osteoporosis education and the opportunity to engage with Reframe Osteoporosis educators and presenters Nicole Gibson, Karen Kemp, Laura Skirrow, and Rael Wulfsohn.

The 90-minute presentation discussed in detail a nurse’s role in identifying, screening, and managing osteoporosis in primary care, ‘The Big O’ national awareness campaign and its impact on practices, and the mobile bone densitometry service – ‘The Bone Bus’.

Since participating in the workshop, several attendees have engaged the free expertise and services of local Osteoporosis Nurse Educator Karen Kemp, who visits and supports practices with their bone health quality improvement activity.

The workshop provided nurses across the North Queensland region with welcome osteoporosis support and education; highlighting the importance of proactive health screening in primary care.

If your practice nurses would like to receive osteoporosis training and support, please contact Osteoporosis Nurse Educator Karen Kemp at k.kemp@reframeosteoporosis.com.au or call 0491 693 755.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), in partnership with Avant, hosted the event on Thursday 28 April for 41 primary healthcare professionals, providing an opportunity to learn and discuss a range of current regional medico-legal topics.

Avant Senior Risk Advisor Marianna Kelly presented the current medico-legal risks associated with telehealth, duty of care when using home monitoring apps, cyber security, and business continuity planning. The well received event provided local healthcare professionals with the opportunity to network locally and participate in Q&A and open discussion sessions, whilst also supporting them to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

To view the recording of the presentation, click on the Practice Management tab in the Training and webinar library.

For further information about the event or for primary care support in the Cairns region, please contact Primary Care Engagement Officer Claire Lawless at claire.lawless@nqphn.com.au