Media releases
For all media enquiries please contact the Media and Communications team via email communications@c2coast.org.au
- Update on Urgent Care Centre selection – Central QLD & Wide Bay regions
2 May 2023 |CCQ is pleased to announce a significant step forward in the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics to be established in general practices, with eligible general
practices in the Rockhampton and Bundaberg regions invited to participate in the Expression of Interest phase, following the initial Registration of Interest (ROI) process in late February. - Medicare Grant Program
26 March 2023 | Eligible general practices in Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay, and Central QLD are invited to apply for the Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program, part of a $220 million investment to improve practices, expand patient access, and provide high-quality care. - Registration of Interest now open for new Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
24 February 2023 | An initial Registration of Interest (ROI) process is being undertaken to allow accredited general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services to review the information on the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (UCC) before submitting their ROI.
- Service keeping seniors on their feet celebrates first birthday
19 October 2022 | A pioneering café-based healthcare concept helping Hervey Bay seniors at risk of a fall gain the confidence and strength to stay on their feet celebrated its first birthday this week, with a special gathering at The Tree House Urangan Community Wellness Centre.
- PHN appoints Julie Sturgess as new CEO
22 August 2022 | CCQ announced today that a new CEO will soon lead the organisation. Julie Sturgess, an experienced business leader in the health sector will succeed current CEO Pattie Hudson who is stepping down after 10 years with Medicare Local and the PHN. Pattie said she is delighted to welcome Julie as the new CEO and knows that the PHN will continue to grow and thrive while serving our communities, with Julie’s extensive skills and knowledge as a health leader.
- First Nations community encouraged to step up and get the jab!
11 July 2022 | In collaboration with our partners, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service and North Coast Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health, CCQ has developed a suite of short videos to encourage uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination within the First Nations community.
- Statewide data shows Queensland GPs busier than ever during COVID-19 pandemic
7 June 2022 | Primary care providers play key role in protecting community health as patient attendances increase year on year.
- Stay well this winter – help stop the spread of flu and COVID-19
1 June 2022 | CCQ has launched a winter wellness campaign encouraging everyone to get their flu shot as soon as possible to reduce their risk of contracting seasonal influenza this winter.
- Emerald headspace offerring vital youth mental health support
31 March 2022 | Young people in the Emerald community can now access the support they need, with Australia’s peak youth mental health and wellbeing group, headspace, now delivering services in the region.
- Pop up vaccination clinics keeping the Gympie community safe
17 March 2022 | Gympie disability workers, their families, clients and the wider community now have additional COVID-19 vaccination options, with a series of pop-up clinics scheduled in March. The first pop-up clinic was held last week, with another clinic scheduled for Wednesday 23 March.
- Lock in kids’ COVID-19 jabs before school returns
7 January 2022 | From next Monday (10 January 2022) the COVID-19 vaccination is available for children aged 5 to 11 in Queensland, however appointments can be secured now for dates on or after 10 January.
- Stay COVID safe this summer
5 January 2022 | Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases, all Queenslanders need to consider any movement through
the community as a possible risk for COVID-19 infection.
- Pregnant women urged not to stay mum on COVID vaccination – PDF (88 KB)
17 November 2021 | A Central Queensland doctor specialising in women’s health is urging women who are pregnant as
well as new Mums to get the COVID vaccination before the Queensland border opens next month. - Don’t give Grandma COVID for Christmas – PDF (91 KB)
16 November 2021 | With the Queensland border on track to open to southern states the week before Christmas, people who are still unvaccinated are being urged to step up and get the jab before COVID arrives in the community - Lifestyle café helps keep Hervey Bay seniors on their feet – PDF (98 KB)
9 November 2021 | An exciting new café-based healthcare concept is helping Hervey Bay seniors, who have recently experienced a fall, regain their confidence and strength so they can get back, and stay, on their feet. - Pop-up clinic helps protect Kilkivan from COVID-19 – PDF (111 KB)
14 October 2021 | Community healthy outreach champions Sunny Street have visited Kilkivan for the third time in as many months, to deliver doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to people living in and around the small rural town. - Walking Together, Learning Together to help Close The Gap – PDF (108 KB)
13 September 2021 | In September 2021, CCQ launched a new training program for GPs, aimed at improving the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. - Local practice leads way in national mental health trial – PDF (103 KB)
14 July 2021 | A general practice in the Noosa hinterland is leading the way in a national trial of an innovative mental health service developed by the Black Dog Institute. - New COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic opens in Noosa – PDF (315 KB)
7 June 2021 | The Noosa Shire now has a combined COVID-19 testing and vaccination hub, with community outreach champions Sunny Street unpacking their mobile health care clinic into a premise in downtown Tewantin for the next year. - Inter-generational playgroup expands across region – PDF (315 KB)
31 May 2021 | Hot on the heels of the hit ABC TV series ‘Old people’s home for 4-year olds’, another innovative inter-generational playgroup is set to be expanded across regional Queensland. - Helping make the Coast a Compassionate Community – PDF (297 KB)
20 April 2021 | Residents of the Sunshine Coast will soon play a stronger role in the care and support of people at the end of life,with the local launch of the global Compassionate Communities initiative this week. - COVID-19 vaccination rolls out to the community – PDF (96 KB)
24 March 2021 | The first of the highly anticipated community COVID-19 vaccinations were delivered to eligible patients in general practices across Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast this week. - Patience needed during next phase of vaccination roll-out – PDF (90 KB)
18 March 2021 | Residents in Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast are being urged to be patient ahead of Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out set to start in general practice on Monday. - New service provides The Way Back from suicide – PDF (103 KB)
8 March 2021 |Beyond Blue’s suicide aftercare initiative The Way Back Support Service, which provides critical support for people after a suicide attempt, is now available in Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast. - Lead agent for headspace Emerald announced – PDF (324 KB)
4 February 2021 | Australia’s peak youth mental health and wellbeing group, headspace, is a step closer to delivering services in the Central Highlands with the appointment of a lead agent for its first stand-alone site in the region. - PHN announce first Indigenous board member – PDF (316 KB)
18 January 2021 | With improving Indigenous health and well being one of the top priorities for Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN,Gangulu man Shea Spierings has joined the board of directors of its governing body, Sunshine Coast Health Network Ltd.
- Mental health services now delivered in aged care – PDF (94 KB)
15 December 2020 | People living in residential aged care facilities on the Sunshine Coast now have ongoing access to mental health and wellbeing support, thanks to a local targeted initiative.
- Improve the health of your community – PDF (94 KB)
3 December 2020 | CCQ is planning better health services for your community, and they need your help.
The PHN funds services like alcohol and other drug treatment and supports in Central Queensland, suicide prevention training in the Wide Bay, and early childhood development programs on the Sunshine Coast, and have just launched their community health survey.
- Learning through healing for Indigenous mental health workers – PDF (124 KB)
30 October 2020 | As Mental Health Month draws to a close, the first trainees to participate in an innovative mentoring program for Indigenous mental health and drug and alcohol workers graduated in Central Queensland today.
- Gympie Health Hub turns one! – PDF (313 KB)
27 October 2020 | Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gympie Health Hub marked a major milestone this month, celebrating its first birthday.
- Emerald connects with healthcare online – PDF (313 KB)
23 October 2020 | A group of local healthcare professionals are joining forces with the Australian Digital Health Agency and Commonwealth-funded primary healthcare organisation CCQ to make Emerald one of the first towns in Australia to have its residents fully connected with their healthcare online.
- headspace satellite finds home in Maryborough – PDF (403 KB)
23 September 2020 | Youth mental health champions headspace are a step closer to opening the doors on a satellite centre in Maryborough, with the signing of a lease on a premise next to the Station Square Shopping Centre, located at Shop 2b, 118 Lennox Street.
- Former mining blaster rocks new career in health – PDF (98 KB)
16 September 2020 | After leaving a lucrative career in the mining industry, one of Wide Bay’s newest Bachelor of Nursing students has taken out a top honour at the 2020 Queensland Training Awards.
- New program takes walking from a wheeze to a breeze – PDF (312 KB)
10 September 2020 | People living with chronic lung disease can breathe a little easier in Hervey Bay, thanks to an innovative pulmonary rehabilitation program.
- Online campaign helps tourists get tested for COVID-19 – PDF (98 KB)
20 August 2020 | Visitors to the Sunshine Coast experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms can easily find a place to get tested for COVID-19 thanks to a new campaign by a local primary health organisation.
- Wide Bay community trains to prevent suicide – PDF (315 KB)
31 July 2020 | An inspiring number of residents in Wide Bay are learning how to help prevent suicide in their community, by enrolling in a nationally recognised one-hour online training program.
- Get tested for COVID-19 – PDF (463 KB)
24 June 2020 | As restrictions continue to ease across Queensland, a local healthcare organisation is asking anyone displaying even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms to get tested for the virus.
- Primary health network welcomes headspace funding – PDF (94 KB)
9 June 2020 | Young people across Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast will soon have improved access to mental health services, with the announcement today of a significant funding boost for headspace centres.3
- Indigenous Elders ‘In this together’ for community health – PDF (152 KB)
26 May 2020 | As National Reconciliation Week starts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are being urged to visit their regular doctor or health worker, either via telehealth appointments or in person, in order to stay well and healthy.
- GP encourages patients to continue visiting their doctor – PDF (102 KB)
21 April 2020 | A Sunshine Coast general practitioner is encouraging patients to continue making contact with their regular GP during the COVID-19 pandemic, either via telehealth appointments or even in person, in order to stay well and healthy.
- Create a community safety net with suicide prevention training PDF (94 KB)
16 April 2020 | With strong evidence showing the continuing COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be a difficult time for those already struggling with their mental health, CCQ is providing free online suicide prevention training.
- Emerald takes gold for digital health technology – PDF (317 KB)
5 March 2020 | The Central Queensland town of Emerald has been revealed to be the first in the state, and one of the first in Australia, to have widespread digital connectivity across the health sector.
- ‘Let me see my baby’ – learning to live with loss PDF (399 KB)
20 February 2020 | Miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and the subsequent grief felt by parents, family and friends will be explored in an intimate and in-depth conversation in Coolum next Tuesday night.
- Phone calls to support suicide survivors in the Central Highlands – PDF (297 KB)
19 February 2020 | People at risk of, or who have recently attempted, suicide in the Central Highlands area will be placed in regular phone contact with qualified mental health facilitators, with the launch of a new non-emergency telephone support program.
- headspace Emerald gets the green light – PDF (409 KB)
13 February 2020 | The Central Highlands community of Emerald will soon be home to a stand-alone headspace centre, as part of a $64M Liberal Nationals Government package for suicide prevention and mental health initiatives.
- Maryborough’s community action plan for mental health – PDF (403 KB)
21 January 2020 | In a demonstration of their commitment to creating a powerful community support system, the Maryborough Suicide Prevention Network launch their 2020 action plan for mental health this week.
- Save a life this silly season with free suicide prevention training – PDF (295 KB)
19 December 2019 | With evidence showing Christmas and the holiday period to be a difficult time for those struggling with their mental health, CCQ is hoping to save lives this silly season by providing free online suicide prevention training.
- Skip the queue this summer with healthdirect mobile app – PDF (294 KB)
17 December 2019 | Parents are being encouraged to skip the queue at the emergency department this summer by downloading and using an innovative app to find the most appropriate medical care closest to them and their children.
- Local community groups recognised at 2019 Healthy Towns Awards – PDF (318 KB)
6 December 2019 | A faerie-themed sustainability festival, two community gardens, and a medical transport service are among nine community groups to share in more than $15,000 in grants at the 2019 Healthy Towns Awards announced in Peregian on Thursday.
- Gympie supports childhood development with Healthy Play – PDF (298 KB)
28 November 2019 | With school nearly out for another year, children under the age of five or those who are home-schooled in Gympie and the surrounding area now have access to a mobile play-based program designed to support childhood development.
- Spot a mole from a melanoma this Skin Cancer Action Week – PDF (314 KB)
20 November 2019 | See if you can spot the difference between a mole and melanoma, including your own, this National Skin Cancer Action Week, at a special pop-up event at Mooloolaba Beach on Thursday.
- Vital new hub for health opens in Gympie – PDF (510 KB)
28 October 2019 | Gympie residents can now access a range of vital health and community support services all under the one roof, with the official opening of the new Gympie Health Hub.
- Sunshine Coast surgery steps up mental health message – PDF (502 KB)
9 October 2019 | A popular medical clinic in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is actively working to improve the wellbeing of its patients this Queensland Mental Health Week, with the implementation of an innovative mental health program.
- Record funds allocated to suicide prevention training in Wide Bay – PDF (295 KB)
4 September 2019 | In advance of World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2019, CCQ (the PHN) has announced it is committing a record amount of funding towards suicide prevention training in Wide Bay.
- New funding ensures a bright road ahead for Sunny Street – PDF (350 KB)
22 July 2019 | The road ahead for mobile doctor and nursing outreach service Sunny Street is looking bright, with the help of 12 months funding from not-for-profit commissioning agency CCQ.
- Additional nursing services to help remote mining community LiveBetter – PDF (290 KB)
10 July 2019 | The delivery of health and medical services in the remote central Queensland community of Rolleston will be strengthened in 2019, with the provision of much needed additional nursing services.
- Health partnership to journey with CQ Indigenous community – PDF (297 KB)
30 May 2019 | On Monday, five Central Queensland organisations will sign a Statement of Cooperation to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander access to mental health and alcohol and other drug treatment in the Rockhampton, Livingstone & the Central Highlands region.
- Jamie’s Ministry of Food mobile kitchen returns to Bundaberg – PDF (59 KB)
14 May 2019 | The Good Foundation has today announced that it will be rolling Jamie’s Ministry of Food’s Mobile Kitchen into Bundaberg. In partnership with Queensland Health, CCQ (the PHN), Woolworths and Stockland, the mobile kitchen will teach locals home-cooking skills and promote healthy eating in the region.
- Businesses urged to protect staff against flu this winter– PDF (228 KB)
10 May 2019 | With more than three times as many people diagnosed with the flu so far this year across Queensland, CCQ (PHN) is urging local businesses to follow its lead with a staff vaccination program.
- New regional service for psychosocial support– PDF (228 KB)
9 May 2019 | A new national support service will soon be available for people in regional Queensland who are living with severe mental illness, but ineligible for funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
- New research project offers hope for mental health outcomes – PDF (228 KB)
5 March 2019 |CCQ is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a $500,000 grant by Bupa Health Foundation to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of mental health services in the region.
- Drug and alcohol services boosted to tackle ice in CQ– PDF (71 KB)
5 February 2019 | The PHN welcomes today’s announcement by the Minister for Regional Services, and the Government’s ongoing investment in alcohol and drug services.
- Awards celebrate community organisations – PDF (549 KB)
30 November 2018 | Representatives from community organisations across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie region are meeting in Gympie on Friday to recognise those nominated for the third annual Healthy Towns Awards.
- Digital screening for common mental health conditions – PDF (475 KB)
8 November 2018 | Federal Government funding has enabled ten general practices across Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast to roll out StepCare, an innovative digital screening and treatment service for common mental health conditions.
- Better care at Benevolent – PDF (573 KB)
5 November 2018 | For the first time in Central Queensland, a trial is demonstrating My Health Record’s ability to improve the care of older people living in residential aged care facilities.
- Nurse practitioner strengthens Kilkivan GP service – PDF (427 KB)
15 October 2018 | Health services in the rural communities of Kilkivan and Goomeri have received a much-needed boost with the appointment of a new visiting nurse practitioner, Jenny Doherty.
- Gympie teenagers Brainstorm to top spot with national film award – PDF (624 KB)
8 October 2018 | Stop freaking out, the storm’s going to pass is a message echoed in the film Brainstorm, which won the regional and national awards in the Young Film Maker category at the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival in Gympie over the weekend.
- Gympie teenagers Brainstorm into short film finals – PDF (624 KB)
5 October 2018 | Tom Logan, 17, is one of a group of Gympie teenagers going head-to-head with filmmakers, on a world stage in the finals of the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival in Gympie this weekend.
- Six simple steps to better mental health – PDF (479 KB)
2 October 2018 | Taking time to remember the simple things that give you joy such as spending time with family or friends is a great starting point for improving mental health.
- Healthy Towns nominations close this Friday – PDF (493 KB)
12 September 2018 | Community groups across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie are being urged to submit nominations for the Healthy Towns Awards program before entries close on Friday, 14 September.
- Take time to protect against suicide – PDF (513 KB)
04 September 2018 | Business leaders in the Gympie community are stepping up to access new training to protect their staff and workplaces from suicide.
- #YouCanTalk about suicide – PDF (398 KB)
1 September 2018 | Andrew Marriott’s son Glenn died by suicide at the age of 18, and now he’s urging people across Central Queensland, Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast to join a new initiative and save lives.
- PHN welcomes new rehab for Rockhampton – PDF (247 KB)
22 February 2018 | CCQ CEO, Pattie Hudson has welcomed the release of the Queensland Government’s Action on Ice strategy, in particular the previously announced commitment to fund a new residential rehabilitation facility in Rockhampton.
- Lets get Gympie’s kids ready for school – PDF (348 KB)
22 January 2018 | Child therapy services in Gympie have receive a $120,000 funding boost to kick off the new school year. Debbie Blumel, CEO for Children’s Therapy Centre said families in Gympie would be able to access free therapy sessions for developmentally vulnerable children.
- Some simple life hacks could rescue your New Year health resolutions before it is too late – PDF (260 KB)
10 January 2018 | There is still time for Wide Bay residents to make their health resolutions come true with a few easy “life hacks’’. Molly Blain, the My Health for Life Support Officer for CCQ said it was often better to make simple, considered changes to your health, than trying to tackle major health and lifestyle changes in one go.
- Peer workers to boost mental health services in Wide Bay – PDF (244 KB)
19 December 2017 | Mental health services in the Wide bay have received a boost with the addition of 11 fully qualified peer workers providing lived experience counselling across Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.
- Free women’s health specialist launching outreach services in Moura – PDF (330 KB)
18 December 2017 | A new outreach clinic is coming to Moura this today and will provide women with access to free, confidential reproductive and sexual health check-ups. The clinic being held at the Moura hospital and will cover all aspects of women’s health including all contraception, cervical screening, breast examination, period problems, pregnancy planning and menopause.