~ News and updates
~ Upcoming events
~ Outreach stories
 And more!

Hi everyone,

Over the last few weeks, our team has been engaging in statewide service planning meetings with Outreach host facilities, providers, and other stakeholders. This has been a valuable opportunity to connect and discuss plans for Outreach. Over the next month I will also be travelling and I look forward to meeting with many of you during my visits. Below, you'll find some highlights from some of our trips so far.

In this edition, we are delighted to share feedback from our Outreach provider patients. The article includes some of the data we have captured and just a snapshot of the positive feedback we have had from patients. We encourage providers to continue to collect patient feedback as this information is incredibly valuable in supporting quality improvement of health services, enhancing patient experience and engagement.

In the coming weeks CheckUP Outreach providers will also receive the provider feedback survey. Your feedback is crucial as it helps us ensure the delivery of safe and effective healthcare services in rural and remote Queensland. Last year, the survey responses gave us an opportunity to review provider concerns, queries and requests. Alongside some really constructive and helpful suggestions, we were also delighted to receive a high level of appreciation and support for the systems, structures and networks CheckUP has created to sustain your outreach service delivery. We hope you’ll take the time to complete the survey when it arrives.

This month's feature article comes from one of our Outreach Providers - Laura Zimmerman, Director of McIntyre Health. As Neurodiversity Celebration Week approaches, we are resharing Laura’s personal story, “Embracing the Spectrum” originally published in IMPACT magazine. Laura’s story emphasises the importance of understanding and embracing the strengths of individuals with neurodivergence. An excerpt of the article can be found below.

Lastly, we are excited to share several upcoming events, including Skin Cancer Early Detection workshops for GPs in Roma, Mt Isa, and Townsville, as well as our Queensland Primary Health Care Network event, 'Building Stronger Communities through Health Workforce Planning and Partnerships,' that is taking place next week. You'll find further details about these events as you continue reading.

If you have any questions about anything Outreach related, please get in touch by speaking to your Regional Coordinator or emailing outreachservices@checkup.org.au. 

We hope you all enjoy reading this edition of Reaching Out. 

Kind regards,

Elise Gorman
General Manager, Health Services

The Outreach team has been on the road!

CheckUP's Outreach team have been on the road as we undertake our statewide service planning meetings. 

CheckUP's General Manager- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health, Nyaree Mewett and Regional Coordinator Isabelle Walker visited Charleville and Cunnamulla. During this trip they met with South West Hospital and Health Service - Charleville Hospital and CWAATSICH in Charleville and Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health (CACH). They also met with CheckUP service providers who support the region.

The next stop was Rockhampton! Where the Outreach Team (Nyaree, Michelle Hodges and Amber Hanks) and Workforce Team (Andy Legg and Jamie Brown) met with Bidgerdii Community Health Service and attended Country to Coast Qld PHN's Clinical Societies event.

The last few weeks have been a great opportunity to meet with our stakeholders and providers and discuss plans for Outreach. To the left are just a few photo highlights from the team's recent trips. If you are interested in meeting with our team please contact outreach@checkup.org.au.

Share your best Outreach photos with us

We want to see the latest photos from your Outreach visits (like the ones on the left from our team). Our dedicated Outreach providers often tell us that exploring diverse places and forging connections with people in the local community are the things they love most about being an Outreach provider. Share your Outreach adventures with us -whether it's a selfie with a community sign, your best travel pic (driving, flying, or getting there another way), or a picture of the people you meet along the way - we want to see it!

Skin Cancer Early Detection Program featured on ABC Radio's Health Report

Listen to CheckUP’s own Mary-Anne Quilter on ABC Radio National's Health Report! Mary-Anne discusses how CheckUP’s Skin Cancer Early Detection (SCED) program is working to create fairer access for people who live in regional, rural and remote areas.

One of the ways the SCED program is making a difference is by providing free upskilling workshops for GPs. Providing upskilling for the local workforce, building ongoing capacity and expert knowledge of skin cancer in local health practitioners. GPs can still register for workshops in Roma, Mt Isa and Townsville, Register here.

Valuing what patients say about Outreach services 

We wanted to share with you some of the data from our Outreach Patient Survey including comments from Outreach patients. You can read a feedback summary on our website.

CheckUP supports and encourages Outreach service providers to continue to collect patient feedback. Information sourced from patients is incredibly valuable in supporting quality improvement of health services, enhancing patient experience & engagement, as well as identifying trends and patterns. 

Coming soon: CheckUP's provider feedback survey 

CheckUP’s 2024 provider feedback survey is almost completed and will be in your Inbox in the next week. In addition to some existing questions, we’ve added a couple of new areas we would like guidance from you on to enable our continuous improvement and extend your service delivery capacity. We do hope you’ll find approximately 8 minutes in your busy schedule to complete the survey when it arrives.

Burnout: resources and support for healthcare providers.

The most recent 2022 Annual Healthcare Professionals Survey found that burnout rates remained high within the healthcare industry. We have compiled information about burnout, including available support programs tailored to healthcare workers and resources containing tips to help manage and support mental wellbeing. If you think you are experiencing burnout, it’s important to focus on your needs and seek support. See our website for more information: Burnout support for healthcare providers - CheckUP.

Congratulations and farewell to Nurse Practitioner and CheckUP Outreach Provider Jenny Doherty

Last month, the Kilkivan community bid farewell to Nurse Practitioner and CheckUP Outreach provider, Jenny Doherty. The community hosted a morning tea to celebrate Jenny’s contribution. The Kilkivan community newsletter highlighted, “Jenny’s role at the Kilkivan clinic, as a Primary Health colleague within Dr. Sandra Zeeman’s outreach practice, has been greatly valued by many locals. They appreciated not only her wide-ranging skills and experience within the health sector but also her friendly approach to her patients.” The CheckUP team would also like to express gratitude to Jenny for her dedicated work and acknowledge the outstanding service she has provided through Outreach services for over 6 years. 

Have your say! Complete the Health (HLT) Training Package Subsidy Consultation Survey Queensland

We're seeking feedback from employers, small businesses, unions, peak bodies industry stakeholders and individuals. As the Industry Skills Advisor for Health engaged by the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT),  CheckUP are undertaking a review of the qualifications and skill sets from the Health (HLT) training package on the Queensland Priority Skills List and User Choice List. Have your say by completing the survey.

Rural Advanced Skills incentive now open

The Workforce Incentive Program – Rural Advanced Skills payment aims to support access to healthcare in rural and remote communities (MM 3-7 locations), encouraging more doctors with advanced skills to work in rural and remote areas, GPs to consider the National Rural Generalist Pathway, and Rural Generalists to broaden the range of services available to patients in rural communities.

The WIP-Rural Advanced Skills payment is for services delivered between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025. GPs are eligible for up to three payments for services during 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

17th National Rural Health Conference call for abstracts open

The 2024 National Rural Health Conference  will be held in Perth, 16-18 September. The conference will focus on topics such as rural workforce and training, determinants of health, mental health, the effects of climate change on health, Indigenous health, cultural safety, arts and health, healthcare research, and so much more! 

Call for abstracts closes 7 April 2024. Submit an abstract here.

QPHCN event: Building Stronger Communities through Health Workforce Planning and Partnerships

Our Queensland Primary Health Care Network  event is taking place next week, Thursday 21 March 2024. This QPHCN event will delve into workforce planning strategies the focus on building healthier communities. Our presenters will showcase innovative approaches to workforce planning and development, and community-driven solutions.

Healthy Outback Communities (HOC) program is commencing in the Barcoo Shire in April.

Western Queensland PHN are excited to announce the launch of their Healthy Outback Communities program in Western Queensland channel country! They are calling on Barcoo Shire community members and local providers to celebrate the new program at the Healthy Outback Community Day on Saturday 27 April.

You can read more about the HOC program on the Western Queensland PHN website.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Next week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Neurodiversity week is a worldwide initiative designed to recognise and celebrate the strengths of people who are neurodiverse, while challenging the stereotypes and misconceptions that are associated with neurological differences. You can find out how you can get involved in the week on the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website. 

As part of our commitment to inclusivity, CheckUP offers the Access for All training course, which equips health professionals with tools to ensure their service is accessible and inclusive for everyone. You can find out more about Access for All here.

Calling all industry partners and sponsors to support the #GoHealth Careers Expo!

Get ready for the #GoHealth Career Expo, an interactive, immersive health career experience with simulated scenarios that brings healthcare to life!

• Date: 13 June 2024
• Venue: International Royal Convention Centre (IRCC), RNA Showgrounds
• Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

To find out how you can get involved in visit the Gateway to Industry Schools - Health website.