Northern Queensland PHN After Hours Needs Assessment and Strategy 2020

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) have been established with the key objectives of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical services for patients, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes, and improving coordination of care to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

As part of this role, the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is focussed on improving the accessibility and effectiveness of primary health care after hours.

The after-hours period is before 8:00am and after 6:00pm weekdays; before 8:00am and after 12:00pm Saturdays; and all day Sundays and public holidays.

Larter Consulting has been engaged to undertake a literature review and consult widely with stakeholders and consumers, in order to develop a North Queensland after-hours strategy and implementation plan.

We would love to hear from you!

We are particularly interested to hear from the following health service providers that work or live in Northern Queensland:

  • General practitioners
  • Hospital and Health Service representatives
  • Pharmacists
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health sector providers
  • Residential aged care providers
  • Peak and advocacy groups representing diverse consumers

For example:

  • Do members of the community know what services are available to them, after hours?
  • Is there a need for more after hours primary health care?
  • How can we work together to ensure that community members make the best choices when seeking care after hours (e.g. ring an ambulance as necessary, seek primary care, seek information)
  • How can we best support providers to provide care or information to their patients after hours?
  • Is after hours care culturally safe and linguistically appropriate to meet the needs of our diverse communities?

You can:

  • Complete an online survey – surveymonkey.com/r/K967MWB
  • Request a phone consultation
  • Request a face-to-face consultation
  • Email us

Key Contacts

Lead Consultant: Peter Larter, Consultant (e) peter@larter.com.au (p) 0402 125 567

Northern Qld PHN: Jill Thomas, NQPHN (e)  jill.thomas@nqphn.com.au (p) 0477 000 972

Closing date for consultations: 10th April 2020

This activity is supported by funding from Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.

This work builds upon the thinking and projects that Larter has previously published about after hours health care.