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HEALTH SERVICES NEWS UPDATE | Edition 91 | September 2026
Hi everyone,
🎉 In this edition, we congratulate Kobi Place on the opening of its new facility in Toowoomba and celebrate with Rosie Fitzgerald on being recognised as a National Seniors Australia Community Champion Medalist for her work in the Kilkivan Community. We also congratulate Jaymie Lynch from Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) on being named a semi-finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards! These achievements reflect the dedication and impact of organisations and individuals across our outreach network.
Over the coming weeks, CheckUP Regional Coordinators and our Senior Manager, Outreach Engagement, will be contacting health service providers to confirm that provider referral details are current and accurate. Keeping this information up to date helps ensure communities can access the right services and referral pathways when they need them.
In other news, CheckUP was pleased to attend the OMOZ Conference and host a Queensland Primary Health Care Network (QPHCN) event, bringing together experts and sector leaders to share insights and strengthen collaboration across Queensland's health system. You can watch the QPHCN event on CheckUP's YouTube channel.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to delivering healthcare closer to home for Queenslanders. We greatly value the work you do to support communities across the state.
Kind regards,
Elise Gorman
General Manager, Health Service
FOR PROVIDERS
We’re here to support you
If you need support signing your contract or completing any clinical governance requirements, please contact the CheckUP team.
We understand that the contracting and governance processes can be complex, and we're happy to walk you through the requirements, answer questions, or provide assistance.
We are on standby to support you.
Online Management System (OMS) Reminder
Please enter your service delivery dates in OMS after each clinic visit to support accurate reporting and service tracking.
To save time, CheckUP can bulk upload your upcoming visit dates. Contact your Regional Coordinator for the template or assistance with OMS.
Safe healthcare starts with all of us
🌎 On World Patient Safety Day 2026, we're recognising that everyday actions help create safer healthcare experiences for patients, families and carers.
Whether it's listening carefully, supporting shared decisions, providing culturally safe care or ensuring followup happens when it should, every interaction matters.
This year's theme is "Safe care for life!", with a focus on safe care for noncommunicable diseases.
CHECKUP EVENTS, PROGRAM AND HEALTH SERVICES TEAM UPDATES
Collaboration in action: QPHCN Health Services Event
Thank you to all the speakers above for sharing at the event.
Thank you to all our speakers and event attendees for supporting the QPHCN Improving Access to Healthcare event held recently. The speakers shared insights on improving access to health services in rural and remote Queensland.
We were fortunate to hear from Sarah Bohan, General Manager Allied Health at North West Remote Health, Cathie Gillan from Queensland Health, and Nicole Byrne, Eye Health Coordinator at Gidgee Healing, and CheckUP program health leaders.
Each speaker shared valuable insights and experiences on the importance of partnerships, collaboration, and working towards shared goals and outcomes.
We believe in Access for All. ❤️
CheckUP recently joined the 18th National Rural Health Conference in Adelaide!
Amanda Frier, Access for All Manager and General Manager - Engagement and Business Development, David Millichap, facilitated an interactive workshop with practical strategies, insights and ideas to improve healthcare access for people with disability in rural communities.
Curious about how Access for All can support your organisation? Let's talk to see how the Access for All online course can make a difference in your workplace.
CheckUP's Cancer Prevention Team presented in Adelaide
Philippa and Mary-Anne highlighted SCED's impact in rural and remote Queensland.
CheckUP's Cancer Prevention team also showcased the impact of the Queensland Government-funded Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) Outreach Program in Adelaide at the National Rural Health Conference.
Our Cancer Prevention Manager, Mary-Anne Quilter, and Evaluation Lead, Philippa Hawke, co-presented on the program’s success, highlighting its dual approach to improving access to skin cancer services in rural and remote communities.
The team was also excited to announce the Skills in Skin Cancer Upskilling Program, which Skin Cancer College Australasia will deliver over the next 10 months.
The program will provide 30 GPs and Nurse Practitioners with a structured and supported learning pathway in skin cancer medicine, including formal online education, face-to-face practical training, and ongoing mentorship to strengthen detection and management skills across rural and remote Queensland.
OMOZ Conference improving ear and hearing health 👂
The OMOZ Conference in early August was a terrific opportunity to learn from speakers and attendees who shared invaluable knowledge and perspectives on improving ear and hearing health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Queensland.
CheckUP was fortunate to attend as a sponsor and contribute to conversations, create new partnerships and nurture existing relationships.
Amber and Mel are pictured at OMOZ.
A big thank you to OMOZ Conference for the opportunity to be involved in such a significant event.
Welcome to the team, Debora
Debora Gonnella has joined CheckUP in a Regional Coordinator for South/South West Queensland role.
Debora brings a strong commitment to supporting our providers, strengthening regional partnerships and helping ensure communities across South and South West Queensland have access to quality health and wellbeing services.
Debora's background is in health promotion, community engagement and working with children and young people, particularly early childhood and adolescence.
Welcome to the team, Debora!
COMMUNITY, PARTNER AND MEMBER NEWS
💯 Celebrating Kobi Place on the opening of the new health facility at Toowoomba Darling Downs Health.
Facilities like Kobi Place represent more than a new building, they create opportunities to improve access to quality, culturally responsive and community-focused health care.
CheckUP's Senior Manager, Melanie Sheridan, and new Regional Coordinator, Debora Gonnella, were honoured to attend the opening. We celebrate with Kobi Place and look forward to what is up ahead for the health facility and Toowoomba region.
Highlights from the Kobi Place opening event are below.
Well done, Rosie Fitzgerald, National Seniors Australia Community Champion Medalist 2026! 🎉
Congratulations to Rosie Fitzgerald, President of the Kilkivan and Districts Community Care Association Inc (KDCC), on receiving the National Seniors Australia Community Champion Medal 2026!
The Kilkivan community celebrated to honour Rosie and also hear about plans for Ageing-in-Place for the Kilkivan, Goomeri and Woolooga area.
The event was attended by National Seniors Australia acting CEO Pauline Mason, the Deputy Mayor of Gympie Regional Council Cr Warren McEwan and researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast who had partnered with the KDCC to co-design ageing in place carer workshops.
🎆 Awesome job, Jaymie!
Congratulations to Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council Hearing Health Coordinator Jaymie Lynch | Semi-finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for Queensland
Sector Leader Magazine highlighted that Ms Lynch, a proud Gangulu woman, was nominated by QAIHC’s former General Manager of Sector Development, Gregory Richards, for the Queensland Family and Child Commission Contribution to Community or Family Safety Award (First Nations), recognising young leaders strengthening culture, community, and safety for children and families.
OneNQ survey
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Help shape the future of the NQ healthcare workforce, community and employment opportunities.
Share your story
Have you got an Outreach story you'd like to share? Send yours today!
We know the power that stories can have, and that's why we want to hear from you!
We openly encourage anyone with an amazing Outreach story to share your experience with us.
Please send your enquiries or submissions by replying to this email or sending it directly through to comms@checkup.org.au.
Join the CheckUP Community!
Welcome to new and continuing Members! Thank you for supporting CheckUP's vision of healthy, sustainable and inclusive communities in 2026 - 2027! We are privileged to have your support.
If you are eager to become a Member and not sure what's involved, please respond to this email and we will contact you.
When you become a CheckUP member, there are many benefits, including joining a like-minded community committed to creating impact in the health sector. Regular networking events helps members and partners to share collective knowledge, expertise, and influence. Organisational memberships also provide an opportunity to vote on the CheckUP Board at the Annual General Meeting and help shape CheckUP's direction and future.
Stay connected, informed, and involved!
CheckUP acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
