The four key elements include:

• self-assessment framework, specifically designed to assist the transitioning nurses in identifying education gaps, and recording and prioritising their learning needs
• access to over 30 core education activities tailored for nurses new to primary health care, and over 150 additional optional education activities
• on-going support and program governance from Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) – the peak professional body for nurses in primary health care (including a program induction workshop and access to program participant process reports)
• a dedicated workplace support model which facilitates protected time for the transitioning nurse’s participation in the program and 10 months of intensive clinical professional mentoring, from an experienced registered nurse.

NQPHN has the opportunity to collaborate with APNA to build the capacity to deliver the transition program to 20 additional nurses in the NQPHN region over two group intakes.

For more information on the Transition to Practice Program, visit the APNA website here.

Closing date: Sunday 28 February 2021.

Created through extensive consultation over a 12 month period with the health, social and community sectors, as well as with consumers, carers, and community groups, the Townsville Area Palliative Care Plan 2020-2024 intends to create a roadmap for our region that will enable the communities we call home to care for our people, with services and supports reflective of the society we wish to have.

The Townsville Area Palliative Care Plan 2020-2024 is remarkable because, for the first time, a palliative care plan has been endorsed by not only health services but also local councils. Acknowledging that palliative care truly is everybody’s business.

Palliative Care Queensland, Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, and Townsville Hospital and Health Service, as well as the Mayors across the Townsville Area and the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service all endorsing the nine directions outlined in the plan.

Palliative Care Queensland CEO, Shyla Mills “Today is a historic day, a regional plan has been created in conjunction with stakeholders from across the region and endorsed. Palliative Care is more than health care, its health, social, and community care. The community play a key role in supporting people experiencing ageing, dying, death, and grief and the local councils in the Townsville Area have come together to recognise that the way we care for our dying is a significant indicator of the kind of society we are.”

“We believe that this provides a strong foundation for the direction outlined to be implemented across the next four years and for palliative care to be revolutionised in the Townsville region.”

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to undertake the challenge that we have laid out; to create a sector that cares for and meets the needs of everyone experiencing ageing, dying, death, and grief.”

The nine directions outlined in the plan create a holistic approach to palliative care across the region, covering every element of care and include:

• Direction 1: Raise Awareness and Build Community Capacity
• Direction 2: Care Navigation
• Direction 3: Rural and Remote Areas
• Direction 4: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
• Direction 5: Advance Care Planning
• Direction 6: Integration of Care
• Direction 7: Workforce
• Direction 8: Monitoring, Evaluation and Research
• Direction 9: Disaster Planning, Response and Recovery

For more information about the report, click here.

The Townsville and Mackay Mental Health Hubs, funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), offer recovery-oriented programs that draw on the knowledge of individuals with a lived experience of mental illness.

The programs and activities are facilitated by a team of mental health professionals, life coaches, and peer workers and are developed based on the diverse needs and interests of those seeking support.

The activities include an art group, walking group, practical life skills group, group fitness, coffee catchups, drumming circles, and facilitated group sessions.

Flexibility and accessibility is built into the program so once a month a weekend social session is held at each hub. Social Saturday in Mackay and Social Sunday in Townsville provide community members with the opportunity to meet the selectability team, get involved in an array of activities, and enjoy a BBQ lunch.

selectability General Manager Townsville Aaron Farrell said the social weekend events had found a permanent place in the hubs’ activity schedule due to their popularity in the community and that it was encouraging to see the program helping residents to live happier, healthier, longer lives.

“We offer different activities at every Social Saturday and Sunday that relate to program activities,” said Aaron.

“Our participants have enjoyed making their own healthy pizza, playing in a drumming circle, rock art, making Kokedama, and bocce and croquet.

“We have received really good feedback from the participants so far. They enjoy being able to socialise with other participants and to meet new people who also attend the Mental Health Hub.

“One participant has commented that they get lonely on the weekends, and that Social Sundays has encouraged them to get out of the house where they had a great time taking part in the drumming activity.

“Another participant is now actively assisting with the BBQ, which is a huge step forward for this person who was initially struggling to get involved in group activities due to their anxiety.

“It’s so great to see Social Sundays having such a positive effect on participants in some way, to assist in improving their mental wellbeing.”

The Mental Health Hubs operate on the principles that:

• they accept referrals from all sources (including self-referrals)
• they partner with community organisations to ensure services are leveraged, not duplicated
• they offer services that are flexible, responsive, and inclusive
• their programs and services are developed with input from those with lived experience
• their programs and services are tailored to the needs of the individual.

Find out more about the Mental Health Hubs and view their activity timetables at www.selectability.com.au/our-programs/community-services/mental-health-hubs