The Clinical Council provides a critical overview of the NQPHN regions to ensure that overall investment is in line with the regional HNA.

The council acts in an advisory capacity to the NQPHN Clinical Governance Committee which has the delegated responsibility of the NQPHN Board.

Membership of the council is comprised of GPs, allied health professionals, mental health clinicians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals, community/practice nurses, and public health/health promotion representatives. They meet four times a year.

Your local HealthPathways portal provides the latest information about the clinical aspects of COVID-19 vaccination, including advice, delivery, and follow up.

GPs are encouraged to check they have access to HealthPathways.

Access Northern Queensland PHN HealthPathways.

Don't have a login for HealthPathways? Register using the above link.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a work-based intervention program designed to enhance the emotional, mental, and general psychological wellbeing of all employees and includes services for immediate family members. 

To access this confidential service, please contact AccessEAP on 1800 818 728 and identify as one of these groups when calling into our service, starting with Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, then either GP staff or Chemist Staff. 

For more information on AccessEAP, visit their website. 

NQPHN has also created an EAP support poster to advise staff of the service availability: 

• Download poster (General Practices) 
• Download poster (Pharmacies).

Staffed by senior GPs and experienced counsellors trained in doctors’ health, Drs4Drs is a free medical service for GPs seeking support

An initiative from the Department of Health and Medical Board of Australia to ensure GPs have access to care and support when they need it.

This is a 24/7, free and confidential service you can access by calling 1300 Dr4Drs (1300 374 377).

View more information.

• Doctors Health in Queensland: DHQ provides an independent, confidential, colleague-to-colleague support service to assist doctors and medical students.
• RACGP Support Program: free, confidential specialist advice to help cope with professional and personal stressors impacting areas such as, mental health and wellbeing, work performance and personal relationships. Phone: 1300 361 008 . Also see RACGP's Support Services for GPs.
• ACRRM's Employee Assistance Program: free for members experiencing workplace, training, exam, or other stresses or issues impacting your personal wellbeing. Provides immediate, confidential phone counselling support 24/7 in Australia and overseas. Phone 1800 818 728. 
• Nurse & Midwifery Support: free and confidential support 24/7. Counsellors are available to discuss any health-related issues and provide advice and referral for nurses, midwives, nursing students, employers, educators, concerned others and the public. Phone: 1800 667 877  
• CRANAplus Bush Support Services: free and confidential 24/7 telephone and online counselling service for rural and remote health practitioners and their families. Phone: 1800 805 391  
• NewAccess - Beyond Blue: New access is a free service that provides support through a coach who can guide in setting practical goals that will get you back on track.  

Useful PPE resources  

• RACGP:
  • Infection prevention and control guidelines for general practices and other office-based and community-based practices
  • Optimising the use of personal protective equipment in general practice during COVID-19
• Australian Government:
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health workforce resources
• Queensland Health:
  • Infection prevention and control guidance (including PPE advice)
  • Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19 

NQPHN funded APNA and subject matter expert Megan Reilly to deliver webinars for all general practices and pharmacies with information on how to apply infection prevention control in practices/pharmacies and keep the doors open. 

View the third and final webinar, which mirrors the content in the previous two webinars delivered.

Other infection control resources

The following resources are available to assist with the management of infection control: 

• COVID-19 Infection Control Online Training Module   
• Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19 (Australian Government Department of Health) 
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance for Queensland clinicians (Queensland Health) – includes videos on donning and doffing of PPE. 

For the latest clinical practice guidelines in the North Queensland region, please refer to HealthPathways. 

Other useful links 

• RACGP Infection prevention and control guidelines
• RACGP Patient Alert Posters

Fit testing of P2/N95 masks

Specifically for GPs who are prepared and able to undertake specimen collection in their surgeries. P2/N95 respirators are only required for aerosol generating procedures. 

The Queensland Health Fit Testing of Particulate Filtration Respirators (PFR or P2/N95 respirators) in respiratory protection programs Guidance Document (Fit Testing Document) has been developed to provide guidance and recommendations for decision-makers and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Queensland to support the safe and practical integration of fit testing into respiratory protection programs. 

The following online resources are also available about P2/N95 mask fit checking: 

• Queensland Health P2/N95 mask fit checking
• Further information for health professionals about fit-testing and fit-checking of P2/N95 masks and the use of PPE equipment can be found here. 
• Resp-Fit has comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions.