Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) has recruited 20 North Queensland organisations to take part in the national roll-out of the Provider Connect Australia (PCA) pilot program, which will automatically update healthcare organisations’ information from one place. 

The portal, previously known as the Service Registration Assistant (SRA), will allow healthcare organisations and their business partners access to up-to-date information. 

The PCA portal aims to streamline the process for healthcare organisations to keep contact details such as provider numbers and secure messaging addresses up to date. It will also reduce the burden of practice managers needing to complete the same details across many different platforms. 

Healthcare providers can automatically update all the participating directories that list their services, including national Health Services Directory (NHSD), specialists’ directories, messaging directories, pathology, and radiology services. 

Any healthcare organisation can become a business partner, and those business partners can only access data which is shared with them by the publishing organisation. 

Business partners can include: 

• Medicare, private health insurers, workplace and accident insurers 

• National Health Service Directory 

• clinical pathway services 

• online booking systems 

• diagnostic services 

• public and private hospitals 

• Primary Health Networks 

This is a pilot program that will be used to road test it as a solution. NQPHN is currently working with 20 North Queensland organisations to collect vital feedback and insights to inform the national rollout. 

PCA is a free service provided by the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA). 

Healthcare organisations with enquiries can email digitalhealth@nqphn.com.au. 

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is seeking a lead provider for a two-year Primary Care Build Back Better Initiative, which aims to build capacity and capabilities of general practices and drive change and reform readiness, following the three-year impact of COVID-19. 

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said NQPHN’s Build Back Better Initiative aimed to build primary care provider capabilities to be better than before COVID so they could face future challenges with the skills and processes learned from their experiences during their remarkable response to the COVID-19 crisis.  

“Since March 2020, general practices have changed how they deliver care. From conducting consultations remotely via telehealth, to adopting new policies and procedures, training and retraining staff, and restructuring physical spaces to meet the needs of their patients” Ms Whyte said. 

“This initiative is dedicated to building the capabilities of primary care and ensuring the sector can drive innovation and address North Queensland’s health and service needs.”   

Ms Whyte said the program would also strengthen primary care providers’ responsiveness in a crisis. 

“Emergency SMS grants, funds to address urgent resourcing in response to COVID-19 demands, and funding for after hours, chronic disease management, and service provision have been part of the initiative to date,” she said.  

NQPHN has now released a Request for Tender (RFT) to find a lead provider with professional experience in designing collaborative programs within primary care general practices. 

“We are now seeking a provider to work with North Queensland general practices over the next two years to identify the critical skills and knowledge required when faced with emergencies, and then codesign a program and training,” Ms Whyte said. 

“Build Back Better will leverage general practice commitment, collaboration, and leadership and requires a program that supports future-focused, person-centred primary health care. 

“We look forward to working with the prospective lead provider on the establishment and implementation of the Build Back Better Initiative to support North Queensland general practices.”  

Organisations wanting to submit a tender application can visit NQPHN’s online procurement portal here.

The RFT closes on 1 March 2023.