Northern Queensland PHN

22/10/2025

Thinking about your next move in health?

Townsville could be the perfect fit. With career growth, a supportive health community, and a lifestyle that works for families, it’s more than just a job — it’s a tropical way of life.

🌿 Great schools, outdoor adventures, and a welcoming vibe? ✔️
☀️ Reef, research & real community? ✔️

➡️Check out the full video: https://youtu.be/Gv3WlL6iGOk?si=sL6JxIvPSeZ-zvbv

Your dream health career and paradise lifestyle could be closer than you think.

➡️Discover more: www.nqphn.com.au/healthjobs

Munoz Medical

22/10/2025

📣 EOI: Clinical Council Independent GP Chair 📣

The Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) Board is currently inviting expressions of interest (EOIs) for the NQPHN Clinical Council Independent GP Chair. The Independent Chair can be located in the Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, and Cape and Torres regions.

The independent GP chair of the NQPHN Clinical Council will provide insight to NQPHN from a clinical perspective in the management of the NQPHN whole of region Clinical Council. The Chair will ensure that the Clinical Council provides practical recommendations and advice as part of the NQPHN review of investment decisions and to progress outcomes in accordance with the strategic intent of NQPHN.

‼ Applications close at 5pm, Thursday 20 November 2025. ‼

🔗 For more information and to apply, visit: https://nqphn.com.au/about-us/board-and-governance/clinical-council

20/10/2025

The Mackay Medicare Mental Health Centre tenders are LIVE! 🎉

All tender information is available on NQPHN’s eTenderBox Portal. If you are not already registered, you must do so in order to receive updates and apply. 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/g_G2MrMA

✨ Tender applications close Monday 10 November at 10am AEST ✨

📝 Market briefing session
To support applicants through the tender process, NQPHN invites service providers, general practices, and eligible healthcare providers in northern Queensland to register for the upcoming Medicare Mental Health Centre Market Briefing Session. This session will provide information on the service model, upcoming funding opportunities in northern Queensland, and the grant process.

Session details:
📅 Tues 21 October
🕒 3.30pm – 5pm
Or
📅 Thursday 23 October
🕒 9am – 10.30am

💻 Online (link provided upon registration)
🔗 Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/zSs6B2294d

17/10/2025

🙋🏽‍♂️ Help shape the future of health care in the Isaac. Join the community consultation session.

NQPHN is working with local partners to find better ways to make health care easier to access in the Isaac region. 🌟

We know that things like long travel distances, not enough health workers, and limited services can make it hard to get the care you need. That’s why we’re
inviting community members and health professionals to come along to a local
session and share your thoughts.

📣 We want to hear from you. Tell us what’s working, what’s not, and what ideas you have to improve health care in your area.

Your feedback will help us create a plan to improve health services in Isaac, both now and into the future.

📍 Boardroom at St Lawrence (beside the Council office, 36 McCartney St)
📅 Tuesday 21 October
🕒 12.30pm–1.30pm

✅ Register today. Your input matters!
👉 shorturl.at/mlWD3

17/10/2025

🌿 One Team Event 2025 – That’s a Wrap! 🌿

NQPHN staff from across the region came together for our annual One Team Event to celebrate 10 years of impact and explore how we can grow together. From resilience workshops and drum circles to AI discussions and team trivia - we’re leaving inspired, connected, and ready for what’s next. 💚

07/10/2025

🚑🩺 Where to go when you need care: GP, urgent care, or emergency department?

Knowing the difference between GP, urgent care, and emergency care helps you get the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

👉 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗣 (𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲)
Your first stop for most health needs (except emergencies).
✔️ Check-ups, screenings, immunisations
✔️ Colds, coughs, earaches, diarrhoea
✔️ Ongoing or chronic conditions
✔️ Mental health concerns

👉 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰
For health issues that are urgent but not life-threatening.
✔️ Minor fractures, sprains, or sports injuries
✔️ Minor infections, bites, rashes
✔️ UTIs, gastro symptoms, mild burns
✔️ Minor eye or ear problems

🚨 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
For life-threatening conditions, call 000 or go to the emergency department immediately.
✔️ Chest pain or suspected heart attack
✔️ Stroke symptoms (sudden weakness, numbness, or slurred speech)
✔️ Severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, major accidents
✔️ Serious head injuries or loss of consciousness
✔️ Su***de attempt or severe mental health crisis

⚠️ 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿:
GP = everyday care
Urgent Care Clinic = urgent, non-life-threatening
Emergency Department = life-threatening emergencies

🔗 Find out more about the differences at www.nqphn.com.au/community-programs/population-health/medicare-urgent-care-clinics-uccs

Cairns Urgent Care Clinic Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

The Australian Government has invested in 60+ Medicare UCCs nationally, to deliver a new model of care to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments (EDs). Twelve Medicare UCCs have been established in Queensland, with one in Cairns and one in Townsville.

03/10/2025

Our team has been out and about, connecting and collaborating both locally and further afield 🗺️

Steve, from our Integration and Partnerships team, joined Health Consumers Queensland (HCQ) staff and Cairns-based consumers for a relaxed coffee catch-up to share ideas and strengthen local connections.

Meanwhile, our Primary Care Engagement and Development Lead, Carley, is at the 20th Rural Generalist Anniversary, in Roma, southwest Queensland. She said she's feeling "very privileged to see the history and the future of Rural Generalism come together."

🎨 The artwork represents the next chapter for rural generalists and celebrates the last 20 years.

02/10/2025

That’s a wrap on the first leg of the JRWP 2025–28 launch! 🚀

This week we launched the Joint Regional Wellbeing Plan in Cairns and Townsville and finished on a high note in Mackay.

The Mackay region’s key focus areas are su***de prevention and meeting needs of those living in rural communities. The identified priorities and actions aim to promote collaboration to address these critical issues for the region.

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, expertise, and experiences to help shape this important plan 💙

👉 We’re now in the midst of the Mackay region-specific consultation session to dive deeper into local priorities. These conversations mark an important step toward stronger, more connected care across northern Queensland.

Find out more here 👉 www.nqphn.com.au/jrwp

Mackay Hospital and Health Service

01/10/2025

🚨 Two different services. One street. Here’s how to tell them apart!

We’ve heard there’s been some confusion between the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and the Cairns South Health Facility - and we’re here to help clear things up. 🧭

These services are located on the same street in Edmonton, but they offer very different types of care:

𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰
✅ 5b Walker Rd, Edmonton
✅ For urgent, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries
✅ Open extended hours, 7 days a week (including public holidays)
✅ Australian Government service

𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
✅ 21-55 Walker Rd, Edmonton
✅ Provides renal dialysis services
✅ Open 6 days a week
✅ Queensland Health service

🚑 In an emergency, always call 000 or go straight to the emergency department.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
Cairns Urgent Care Clinic

01/10/2025

🎉 Celebrating Collaboration: Recent highlights from our first joint Mix and Mingle together with Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)!

NQPHN was proudly represented by Chloe Voss, Aaron Halliwell, and Patricia Taylor, joining colleagues from ACRRM and other local health professionals.

What made the night special?
✨ New Connections: Fresh insights on rural and remote healthcare
✨ Shared Purpose: A strong focus on workforce support and service integration
✨ Positive Energy: Overwhelmingly fantastic feedback and excitement for future joint events

🔗 Looking Ahead
This successful gathering is just the beginning. NQPHN and ACRRM are excited to build on this momentum with more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the vital work of our primary care teams.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening so warm and inspiring!

30/09/2025

We kept the momentum going today in Townsville with the second launch of the Joint Regional Wellbeing Plan 🙌

This plan was developed together with local communities, First Nations voices, and service providers – and it will help strengthen mental health, alcohol and other drug, and su***de prevention services right across northern Queensland. Through collaboration across the entire mental health, AOD, and su***de prevention sector, the Townsville region aims to develop integrated approaches to prevention and early intervention.

Thanks to everyone in Townsville who helped shape and celebrate this important step forward 💙

👉 Just like in Cairns, following today’s launch, we headed straight into a region-specific consultation session to dive deeper into local priorities. We are looking forward to the conversations that will be had.

More info 📖 www.nqphn.com.au/jrwp

Townsville Hospital and Health Service
selectability
Wellways
The Oasis Townsville
Andrew Willcox MP
Janelle Poole MP

29/09/2025

💬 Live in the Isaac region or work in health care? We want to hear from you!

NQPHN is working with local partners to explore ways to make primary health care more accessible and sustainable for our community, now and into the future.

🌟 We’re holding community consultation sessions to hear directly from you. Whether you're a local resident or a health care provider, your ideas and experiences will help shape a new Service System Recovery Plan for the region. 🌟

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗦
📍 Middlemount Golf Club
📅 Tuesday 7 October
🕒 12pm–1pm

📍 Dysart Civic Centre
📅 Tuesday 7 October
🕒 5.30pm–6.30pm

📍 Clermont Civic Centre
📅 Wednesday 8 October
🕒 5.30pm–6.30pm

📍 Moranbah-Isaac Events Centre
📅 Thursday 9 October
🕒 5.30pm–6.30pm

🍪 Light refreshments will be provided

𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣
📍 Moranbah Isaac Events Centre
📅 Saturday 11 October
🕒 10am-3pm (lunch provided)

✅ Register today. Your input matters!
👉 shorturl.at/J3rHw

Please register by Thursday, 2 October.