On 10 July, we announced national community health and support services provider, EACH, as the lead agent in the next stage of the reform journey, following a competitive tender process. EACH will work with a consortium of providers to establish 4 hubs in Rockhampton, Emerald, Gympie, and Hervey Bay by …
MyMedicare Updates: GPACI and first major change to MBS Chronic Disease management
General Practice in Aged Care Incentive – accreditation and exemptions for non-traditional practices Some general practitioners that deliver care to residential aged care homes operate as sole providers and mobile practices and until recently were not eligible for accreditation under the RACGP accreditation standards. Following consultation, the definition of a general practice …
Telehealth for RACH Impact Statements are now overdue
In 2023, many RACHs applied for Telehealth grants. If you did receive a grant, please note the Telehealth Grant Impact Statement reporting is now overdue. You should have received multiple reminder communications from CCQ. Telehealth Support Grants are part of the Commonwealth’s response to Aged Care Reform. The grants increase …
Signing up your residents to MyMedicare
The new General Practice in Aged Care Incentive commenced on 1 July, providing incentive payments to general practices and general practitioners for delivering regular visits and care planning to permanent residents living in residential aged care. This may result in some changes in the way that general practitioners deliver services to residents living …
Planning for Seniors Month
In October, we celebrate older Queenslanders and their ongoing contribution across the region —whether as older persons ageing in our community, or an aged care resident, carer, grandparent, or advocates. Seniors Month is all about increasing the social connectedness of older people and their communities because we all want to …
Winter immunity for a safer community
We all know people in our community who are at greatest risk of suffering severe symptoms from flu include people aged over 65, and people with a medical condition. While most residents and staff in aged care settings will already have received their annual flu shot, we can all do …
COVID-19 vaccination rates in aged care are low
It is important to ensure the safety of our community, especially older people. Older age continues to be the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19. Regular vaccination is the best protection from severe illness, hospitalisation or death from COVID-19. The recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is: …
National Bowel Screening program extended to 45-49 year olds
There are upcoming changes to the National Bowel Screening Program. From 1 July 2024, the Department of Health is lowering the eligible screening age for the program from 50 to 45 years of age. What does this mean for patients aged 45-49? Eligible people aged 45 to 49 can be …
Clinical Societies welcome more than 1000 health professionals across the region
Country to Coast, QLD’s fourth round of Clinical Societies events wrapped up on 12 June, totaling more than 1000 participants and thousands more connections forged since the program launched in August 2023. CCQ Director for Healthy Ageing and host for Round four, Julie Dymock was delighted with the record attendance …
Become a Cyber Warden and help keep your business cyber-safe
Did you know that the 2022 ransomware attack on an Australian health insurer exposed the sensitive data of 9.7 million Australians? Digital transformation in the primary care sector can unlock amazing opportunities and new ways of working, but it comes with risks that must be understood and managed. Cyber security, …
Help shape a new approach to health and wellbeing in your community
Country to Coast, QLD’s My Healthy Community survey is open until 14 July to all Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast residents aged 18 and over. Help us get the word out to your patients, staff and clients, so we can all understand what really keeps our community healthy …
Telehealth for RACH Impact Statements
In 2023, many RACHs applied for Telehealth grants. If you did receive a grant, please note the extended final due date for the Telehealth Grant Impact Statement for RACH is approaching fast, with submissions due at close of business, Tuesday 10 June 2024. You also should have received a reminder …
Reminder Digital Health Maturity in your RACH
On 23 April, we reached out to all Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) across the region to better understand how you use digital health in your everyday operations. We were also keen to hear how we could better support your facility, with help tailored to your individual needs. While we …
GPACI and MyMedicare registration launch 1 July
The General Practice in Aged Care (GPACI) Incentive payments will launch Monday 1 July 2024 and will replace the current Aged Care Access Incentive. GPACI Incentive payments are available to participating general practices supporting older people living Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) with regular visits and care planning services. The aim …
The flu is so common, yet serious!
This month we are urging residents to book in for a flu shot to ensure they are protected leading into the winter flu season. The flu is circulating earlier this year, with increasing cases reported across our regions. Queensland Health issued a Letter to GPs – over 65s COVID vaccinations[82] on …
CCQ Clinical Societies speakers announced: Palliative care and voluntary assisted dying – changes, choices and challenges
Clinical Society events kicked off around the region on 14 May. It’s not too late to register your attendance. Come along and listen to rich discussions on palliative care and voluntary assisted dying at one of the nine events hosted across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions. …
New General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) to improve access to primary care
The Australian Department of Health is developing the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) funding a $112 million investment in aged care over four years. The new program will give aged care residents better access to high-quality, continuous and person-centred primary care. GPACI will support every aged care resident to …
Enhancing Primary Sense across the region
Uptake of Primary Sense continues to increase, with more practices joining each month. We recently celebrated reaching 100 installations, and we are thrilled to announce that we have now surpassed 160 installations across the CCQ region! With another 43 registrations ready to commence their installation journey. Along with the existing …
CCQ Clinical Societies Round 4 announced: Palliative care and voluntary assisted dying – changes, choices and challenges
Come join us at the upcoming CCQ Clinical Societies event as we delve into palliative care and voluntary assisted dying at nine events hosted across the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions. Bundaberg: 14 May 2024 Hervey Bay: 15 May 2024 Nambour: 28 May 2024 Caloundra: 29 May 2024 Emerald: 3 …
CCQ is Celebrating 100 installations of Primary Sense!
CCQ is working diligently to improve healthcare for both general practices and their patients. Primary Sense is a population health management and clinical decision support tool that provides real-time clinical decision support for general practitioners at the point of care to give patients the right care at the right time. …