Hi all,

After months of meticulous planning and collaboration with our health providers and partners, I’m delighted to advise that our Outreach Forum 2023 and 25^th Anniversary Gala Dinner were a resounding success! If you were able to attend one or both events, a sincere thank you and we hope that you found the events to be informative and a good opportunity to network with others.  

Our Outreach Forum brought together a wide range of stakeholders, health providers, consumers and CheckUP staff for a day that demonstrated how together, we are working towards the same goal of providing quality healthcare to those people and communities that need it most. The information and personal stories shared by our keynote speakers, the panel members, the masterclass facilitators and the concurrent session presenters were truly inspiring and reinforced to us all that our outreach health services are essential and valued. Special thanks to our event MC, Kieran Chilcott, our keynote speaker, Cas Nest, and consumer representative, Karen Metcalfe, who provided such a wonderful start to the day.

While the day was inspiring, the night can be best described as fun and joyful, with over 200 of our members and stakeholders coming together to celebrate and reflect on the past 25 years, and to look ahead to the future. The cultural performances at the start of the evening by the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company and the Kutaw Zoru Traditional Dance Group were very moving and simply breathtaking! Special thanks also to our three panel members who spoke so passionately about outreach – Dr Michael Clements, Jean Benham and Rhonda Shibasaki. This was without a doubt another highlight of what was a remarkable day and unforgettable evening.

Further information and photos of both events can be found in articles below.

Our 25^th anniversary events are continuing with a wonderful networking event held in Cairns on Tuesday night this week with many of our FNQ members and stakeholders. 

We are fast approaching Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) which runs from 7 – 15 October. CheckUP has proudly coordinated this important community event for the past six years and QMHW 2023 is poised to reach new levels of community engagement and participation. In the lead up to QMHW 2023, be sure to join us on Thursday 28 September at our third Queensland Primary Health Care Network event for the year on the topic of “mental health and well-being”. This event will be broadcast live so no matter where you are in Queensland, please register for this event.

Lastly, I wish to advise that I will be taking some long service leave from Monday 2 October through to the end of 2023, involving overseas travel. CheckUP’s CFO and General Managers will ensure it’s business as usual for the remainder of the year. Should you require any information during this period, please don’t hesitate to make contact with our senior management team or any member of the CheckUP team.  

Until 2024,

Best wishes,

Ann Maree Liddy
Chief Executive Officer
CheckUP

Register now for our September Queensland Primary Health Care Network event 

Topic: Mental health and wellbeing
When: Thursday 28 September 2023
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Online or in-person 
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) training rooms,
Level 1/36 Russell Street, South Brisbane

Celebrating success: highlights from the Health Gateway Forum

The Health Gateway Forum held on 1 September was an outstanding success with more than 100 delegates in attendance. The event featured inspiring speakers and informative discussions, but the true highlight was the inaugural Health Gateway Awards ceremony.

Moreover, the forum facilitated numerous new connections between schools and industry, fostering exciting opportunities for future partnerships. Thank you to all who participated, making this event a remarkable achievement in bridging healthcare and education.

Support QMHW by holding a community event

Queensland Mental Health Week (#QMHW) is fast approaching and runs from October 7-15. Now is the time to register an event to raise awareness of mental health. You can use our Event Starter Kit to start planning and easily access a range of resources online to promote the event. Lapel ribbons are also available to purchase and proudly wear.

Gather your colleagues and clients together to raise awareness of mental health, bolster a sense of belonging and help generate connections and conversations this Queensland Mental Health Week.

Access for All exhibits at the Brisbane Care Expo 2023

The Access for All (AfA) team continue to demonstrate their commitment to disability awareness. Their exhibition stand at the Brisbane Care Expo attracted a variety of delegates, including health providers, people with disability and disability support workers. For the health providers and disability support workers the benefits of AfA were clear. In addition, the AfA team found the September Care Expo to be a wonderful opportunity to empower people with disability to encourage the health providers and support workers they work with to complete the AfA training. 

CheckUP's Outreach program receives additional funding

CheckUP has been successful in receiving funding from the Queensland Government’s Micro-credentialing Program. This funding will go towards us delivering the “Going all OUT for Outreach" project to up to 250 outreach health professionals throughout the state. 

The Micro-credentialing Program enables organisations to deliver industry supported short courses to existing workers or job seekers across Queensland. It encourages industry development of specialised and targeted training that addresses gaps or emerging skills needs that are not addressed through accredited training. 

Support Services for Skin Cancer patients

On advice from consumer representatives on the Advisory Committee for the Skin Cancer Early Detection outreach service, a Support Services information sheet has been developed for patients of the Queensland Government funded program. Developed in consultation with Melanoma Patients Australia and Cancer Council Queensland, this resource will be made available to those attending outreach clinics, together with the Cancer Council’s ‘Spot the Difference’ flyer and ‘Correct Sunscreen Application’ brochure. 

Rural Stroke Service launching in 2024

Queensland Health has announced the introduction of a new rural and regional telestroke service that is expected to be available for patients in 2024. The service currently being developed will eventually support around two million Queenslanders living in areas with minimal or no stroke specialist coverage.

Stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced. It requires immediate medical attention as it can lead to permanent disability or death.

In 2024 stroke specialists will be able to use telestroke to remotely review stroke patients via video and access brain scans. This will help with fast patient diagnosis and treatment. The life saving service will also allow easier access to highly effective stroke therapies usually only available in cities.

Prioritise heart health

Every day an Australian woman dies of heart disease almost every hour.

Heart health needs to become a part of your lifestyle, not just something you take care of when it's convenient. Below are some things you can incorporate into your daily routine to keep your heart healthy:

• Pre-plan your healthy meals
• Join a walking group
• Quit smoking

Take the time to understand your cholesterol and blood pressure levels and how to control them by visiting your GP.

Townsville distribution centre improves delivery of medical supplies to Queenslanders

Queensland Health has recently announced the opening of a new purpose-built medical supply distribution centre in Townsville. The 5000 square metre facility will hold around 4000 pallets of medical supplies and will vastly improve the Queensland Health supply chain network across Queensland. Critical supplies can now be easily distributed to Townsville, Torres and Cape, Cairns and Hinterland, North West and Mackay Hospital and Health Services.

Don't miss the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition

The 2023 Recovered Futures Art Exhibition is on from 6-12 October in Brisbane City Hall and King George Square, for the 31st year.

This popular Brisbane art event featuring 270 remarkable artists raises awareness of mental health, recovery and wellbeing.

Entry is free and artworks are for sale.

The exhibition is proudly hosted by Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ), a leading community mental health provider.

Walk for Epilepsy in October

For over 50 years Epilepsy Queensland has been delivering help and hope to over 30,000 Queenslanders impacted by epilepsy. Until a cure is found, it is their hope that each person affected by Epilepsy enjoys a life well lived.

Held in October, Walk for Epilepsy is a chance to increase your steps while raising vital funds and awareness, supporting the 1 in 25 Aussies who will be diagnosed with epilepsy.

Participate alone or in a team by walking, running, rolling or getting your kilometres up however you like!

Have your next event or training featured in CheckIN

CheckUP Organisational Members are eligible to advertise their latest news and upcoming events or training under the Member News section of this eNewsletter, which is sent to all of our current members and a wide range of stakeholders. You can send us items by email, via comms@checkup.org.au.