Northern Queensland PHN

29/01/2026

NQPHN staff were proud to join Prime Minister Hon Anthony Albanese MP for a walk-through of the Cairns South Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, operated by Cairns Urgent Care Clinic.

The clinic is one of the top‑performing Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in the country, and the visit highlighted the impact it is making in improving access to urgent care. Also in attendance were Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith MP and Nita Green - Senator for Queensland.

Meanwhile, our mental health team members met with Assistant Minister Emma McBride MP, who was also in northern Queensland today visiting the Townsville Medicare Mental Health Centre (operated by Neami National) and headspace Townsville (operated Stride Mental Health).

Her visit focused on discussing key mental health initiatives and seeing firsthand how these services are supporting the wellbeing of people in our community.

Thank you to our guests for taking the time to visit our region!

29/01/2026

📣 Have your say: Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) Health Access Project 🌸

Australian South Sea Islander community members living in Mackay are invited to join Northern Queensland Primary Health Network for an information session with light refreshments, aimed at helping shape the Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) Health Access Project.

📅 Sunday 15 February 2026
🕝 1.30pm
📍Australian South Sea Island Hut, Nebo Rd, Mackay

✨ This is an exciting opportunity for Australian South Sea Islander community members in Mackay to collaborate on and shape the ASSI Health Access Project.

👉🏾 Learn more at https://nqphn.com.au/events/assi-health-access-project-community-information-session/

28/01/2026

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month | OWN IT!

We’re raising awareness and encouraging our communities to take simple, proactive steps to protect their health. Cervical screening is quick, accessible, and one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer.

👨‍⚕👩‍⚕Healthcare providers — are you ready to support the choice?
With growing awareness of the self‑collection option, you may see more patients asking about cervical screening.

NQPHN is supporting practices with free access to GoShare, including Healthily GoShare Voice calls powered by conversational Voice technology.

➡Help your patients take charge of their cervical health. Find out more or talk to our team today.

https://nqphn.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CM-1240-PCE-Cervical-cancer-screening-using-AI-based-voice-technology.pdf

23/01/2026

Urgent care whether you’re home or away 🩺

Whether you plan to travel or relax at home over the long weekend and public holiday, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across Australia are open if you or a family member needs urgent care.

Services are free, you can walk-in without an appointment or referral, and clinics are open early and late every day over the holiday season.

To find your nearest Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, visit health.gov.au/MedicareUCC

Cairns Urgent Care Clinic Eastbrooke Health & Commuity Hub Townsville

You can walk into any Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (Medicare UCC) in Australia for bulk billed urgent care. Use the map to find your local clinic.

22/01/2026

🎉 The Cooktown Universal Aftercare Tender is now LIVE!

All tender information is available via NQPHN’s eTenderBox Portal.
If you’re not already registered, please register to receive updates and submit an application.
👉🏽 Access the portal: https://nqphn.etenderbox.com.au/Supplier/Home.aspx
⏰ Tender applications close: Monday, 18 February at 2pm (AEST)

📝 Market briefing session
To support applicants through the tender process, we invite service providers across northern Queensland to attend an upcoming market briefing session.
This session will outline:
• The Universal Aftercare service model
• Upcoming funding opportunities in northern Queensland
• The tender and grant application process

📅 Tuesday, 4 February 2026
🕒 10am - 11am
📍 In person in Cooktown or online (link provided upon registration)
🔗 Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uKlagKrUKki1NIHC53f8b3Xu1NzfPZFKs43L2VKNv_RUOFBYVU0xVUZFWkxEMDlERjQ0R1RXMlpTTS4u

22/01/2026

🔢 OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS 🔢 Each number in our Annual Report represents a person who received support from an NQPHN-funded health service or program in northern Queensland over the last 12 months.
The report showcases our passionate team’s commitment to primary and mental healthcare to bring us closer to our strategic goals to:
💗Improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for our communities
⚖ Support equitable access to safe, appropriate, and quality care
💻Advance healthcare with data-driven insights and digital innovation
🩺 Support and sustain a primary healthcare workforce
📶Raise awareness of existing services and develop referral pathways
NQPHN’s 2024-25 Annual Report can be viewed here ➡️ https://annualreport2025.nqphn.com.au/

19/01/2026

❤ After hearing firsthand stories about the impact of domestic violence and mental health challenges in a northern Queensland town, Mental Health Professional Melinda Chambers brought face‑to‑face workshops to the community.
👫The sessions helped locals recognise the signs, understand mental health impacts, and learn about available support.
🔗Find out more here https://nqphn.com.au/news/our-region-our-people-meet-marg/

15/01/2026

As recent weather events continue to impact many of our northern Queensland communities, please look after yourself and look out for each other.

1️⃣ Stay safe: If it’s flooded, forget it. Stay up to date via your local disaster dashboards.
2️⃣ Stay informed: Keep an eye on health alerts from the Hospital and Health Service in your region and your local GP.
3️⃣Look after yourself (and loved ones): If you need mental health support, please call the Medicare Mental Health Phone Service (free call available to all northern Queenslanders) on 1800 595 212.

There’s more mental health info here: https://bit.ly/o18-medicare-mental-health

Stay safe, stay informed and look after each other 😊

14/01/2026

Urgent care through summer

Rain or shine, summer is a chance to get outside and enjoy the warmer months with family and friends.

Summer is also a time when there’s usually a reported increase in the number of hospital admissions for certain injuries, such as falls from ladders, injuries from tools and machinery, and sports injuries.

What if you have an injury or illness that needs medical attention the same day but isn’t an emergency?

A visit to a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic means you don’t have to wait at the emergency department.

Medicare Urgent Care Clinics are:
☀️ Bulk billed, so services are free
☀️ Walk-in, so you don’t need an appointment or referral
☀️ Open 7 days for extended hours
☀️ Staffed by GPs and nurses.
To find your nearest clinic visit health.gov.au/M

09/01/2026

📝 Ready to make an impact in health across northern Queensland? Submit your expression of interest for NQPHN’s Clinical Council and Community Advisory Group!

For more information and to apply for the Community Advisory Group visit https://nqphn.com.au/about-us/board-and-governance/community-advisory-groupy Advisory Group. Members can be located in the Torres and Cape, Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay regions.

✨ Clinical Council
For more information and to apply for the Clinical Council visit ⬇ https://nqphn.com.au/about-us/board-and-governance/clinical-council

✨ Community Advisory Group
For more information and to apply, for the Community Advisory Group visit ⬇ https://nqphn.com.au/about-us/board-and-governance/community-advisory-group

👉 EOIs applications close at 4pm, Friday 30 January 2026 📅

05/01/2026

✨Welcome to 2026!

We’re back and ready to make this year count - collaborating with partners, supporting communities, and driving better health outcomes across northern Queensland.

🌧 Wet season reminder: Stay safe and informed. Visit your local disaster dashboard for updates and advice.

Together, let’s create a healthy future for all northern Queenslanders.

02/01/2026

Many people carry a lot on their shoulders at this time of year. If the load feels heavier than usual, you don’t have to work through it alone. A simple conversation can help you feel more supported.

📞 Call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 for free advice
👉 Or visit https://bit.ly/s18-medicare-mental-health to learn more.

Everyone is different, find the support that’s right for your needs.