Health Works Issue #14 - Health Workforce Queensland
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Health Works
Issue #14
02
CEO Message
03
QRMFN: Supporting
Community
04
FW: Supporting Health Students
05
Inter-disciplinary Health
Students Exposed to ‘Go Rural’
06
T&E: Supporting Health
Professionals
07
Conference Wrap Up
08
HWQ: Out & About
09
Staff Profile: Tessa Niumata
10
Region in Focus
14
Job Vacancies & Upcoming Workshops
CEO Message Queensland Rural Medical
Family Network: Supporting
Cessation of the John Flynn Continuing Connections
Community
Placement Program
QRMFN Bursary Helps Rural Practice
I wish to express our disappointment at the We continue to monitor the current COVID-19
Federal Government’s decision to cease environment. Prior to the recent lockdown I am Nurse Provide Screening Service in
funding of the John Flynn Placement Program delighted to say that workshops, conferences, Local Community
from December 2021. and events have been attended either online
or in person successfully, we look forward to this
This decision will have an immediate and direct continuing throughout the remainder of 2021. Meet Bec Telfer, a practice nurse located in a final one in mid-April. It’s not always easy to
impact on medical students. A raft of evidence Stanthorpe, who identified a gap in cervical gain access to a choice of health care provider
supports the importance of early exposure to We’ve had two successful workshops this year so screening options for her patients. Bec writes when you live in a rural area. I am very pleased
rural clinical practice and the unique lifestyle far, the Emergency Cardio Workshop in April and about her experience in receiving a bursary to be able to tell members of my community
opportunities, as a key influence in ultimately Emergency Paediatric Workshop on the Gold Coast from the Queensland Rural Medical Family I have been financially supported by QRMFN
choosing a rural medical career in future. This is in May. You can read more about these in this Network (QRMFN) and how it has helped to complete this course, as I hope it makes
exactly what the John Flynn placement Program edition. Next up is Emergency Trauma Workshop the women in her local community and them realise their access to health care is worth
has successfully done for over 20 years. in Cairns in July, then Emergency Mental Health surrounding area. investing in.
in Brisbane in August. For more info on upcoming
JFPP Scholars consistently express their workshops go to our website. In 2020 I applied and received an Individual
appreciation for the program and the Bursary through QRMFN to complete the Cervical
opportunity to experience supportive rural It has been wonderful to reconnect in person with Screening for Health Professionals course run
Written by Bec Telfer, Practice Nurse at
immersion placements that provide a balance our colleagues and be back exhibiting at the in Brisbane from October 29-31, through True
MyFamily Medical, Stanthorpe
between experiencing the diversity of rural following conferences; (previously Family Planning Queensland). There
practice and expanding their hands-on skills and were five online modules to complete before the
exposure to life in a rural community. This is a • 5th Australian Nursing & Midwifery Conference course and at least 15 cervical screening tests to
key difference between the JFPP and standard (trade exhibitors), perform in the six months afterwards to complete
University placements, which concentrate almost • Close the Gap (delegates), the course.
exclusively on the clinical component of the
placement without placing rural practice in the • RACGP Practice Owners (trade exhibitors), I work as a Registered Nurse in a GP practice
context of rural life. in Stanthorpe. During 2020 there was only one
• Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
female GP who was working one day a week.
(Future Leaders Partner) and;
In the 2020 JFPP survey, over 93 percent of I was noticing other GPs’ patients were regularly
Scholars indicated that the placement had • Rural Doctors Association of booking in with her to have their cervical screens
provided a positive or very positive impact on Queensland (Conference completed and felt these women needed an
their ambitions to practise in a rural location. Partner). extra choice of health care provider for their
Major reasons for that impact, selected by more cervical screening tests. It would also mean the
than half of the Scholars, were the mentor and Our student immersion female GP would be freed up to see more of her
community relationships they had developed. programs have also made patients.
a successful comeback
The cessation of the JFPP will not only impact with 35 health students To help complete the necessary cervical
medical students. Rural Doctors also value the immersing themselves screening tests I posted on Facebook to recruit
JFPP as they can see the direct influence the in Toowoomba during volunteers and was overwhelmed at the positive
Program has on Scholars. This important mentor our Go Rural event response I received. Many women wrote to me
role over several years, is integral to the success in May. The students saying they would prefer a nurse to complete
of the JFPP and these supportive relationships from a wide range of their test for them. Several of the volunteers had
often last for a lifetime as the JFPP Scholars disciplines engaged in not been tested for 7-10 years but were prepared
progress through their rural medical career and team-based activities to volunteer for me.
become mentors themselves. This important and hands-on clinical skill
opportunity for medical students ceases with the sessions, facilitated by local I have been very well supported by Dr Claire
decision to cease the JFPP as there are no other health professionals. See the Walter who has come in on her non-work days to
longitudinal immersion programs that provide the summary inside and read supervise me. Together we have run three short
same opportunities. more on our website here. cervical screening clinics and are about to run
2
Future Workforce: Supporting Inter-disciplinary Health Students
Health Students Exposed to ‘Go Rural’
Health Workforce Queensland’s Future What is your favourite memory from 35 health students travelled to Toowoomba It was a pleasure to host Go Rural
Workforce team provided sponsorships for on Saturday 8 May 2021 to participate in
students to attend the General Practice
the Farm Stay? at SQRH Toowoomba this year
Health Workforce Queensland’s (HWQ)
Students Network (GPSN) Rural Farm Stay “Walking with someone on their journey through annual ‘Go Rural’ immersion event. Health SQRH CEO, Geoff Argus.
Weekend in October last year. health”, a line spoken by one of the rural students from a wide range of disciplines
generalist doctors, encapsulates how I aspire engaged in team-based activities and
It was a successful weekend with students
from various universities coming together to
to approach my future practice. I also really hands-on clinical skills, facilitated by local It provided a great opportunity
enjoyed meeting all the medical students from health professionals. for health students to interact and
experience life and work in rural Queensland.
other universities.
Griffith University first-year medical student, Go Rural is a one-day rural immersion event learn from health professionals
Harrison Piaggio was one of the lucky few who
Would you recommend the GPSN which aims to introduce first and second-year who live and breathe rural health.
participated in this event and we caught up health students to the possibilities available to To see 35 students from a range of
with him to get his thoughts on the program. Farm Stay events to other health them in rural practice, whilst exposing them to disciplines working and learning
students? the skills required to work in primary care.
together is at the heart of what
What interested you in the GPSN I would absolutely recommend the GPSN Farm HWQ CEO, Chris Mitchell... we do in creating a highly skilled
Rural Farm Stay opportunity? Stay to any medical students, whether you’re and interprofessional collaborative
interested in working rurally or not. You might be rural health workforce.
I was interested in attending the GPSN Rural surprised by how intriguing and appealing the Immersion events such as Go
Farm Stay because as a pre-clinical medical idea of working rurally can be! Rural are vital for students,
student, I wanted to keep an open mind to all At the end of a very full day students were
career pathways, and actively attend events Health Workforce Queensland have a number especially students in the early enthusiastic about the experience. Now they
for different specialties to see what I found of student immersion programs all designed stages of their tertiary education. have commenced their discovery of rural
to experience health care practice Health Workforce Queensland will
most engaging. It is encouraging to connect continue to engage with them to support their
practice and life and
with enthusiastic students, journey into rural careers.
How has the Farm Stay event remote and rural
Queensland. Go learning skills they'd not usually
benefited you as health student? to our website for
Go Rural is a previous initiative of the
experience until later in their Department of Health which has been
more information.
The Farm Stay took me by surprise; I was not training. Today, all of them have developed and now delivered by Health
expecting how engaging I would find the Workforce Queensland with support from the
career pathway of a rural generalist. The
developed an understanding
event sponsors:
talks given by the doctors highlighted some of the possibilities of rural
incredibly valuable benefits of the pathway: practice and how primary care
more hands-on training in a rural setting in rural communities can be
compared to tertiary hospitals; the ability
to form a continuation of care in smaller a rewarding career.
communities; getting to know many of the
patients and improving care by being familiar
The day commenced with a Welcome to Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsor
with the patient’s history, and the opportunity
Country and an Aboriginal art activity lead
to build a therapeutic alliance.
by Uncle Colin Jones of Kalkadoon and
These are all aspects of medicine I value Nunukul tribal descent. Colin has a rich and
highly; knowing that they can be realised as diverse knowledge of Aboriginal culture, and
a rural generalist was very insightful. over many years has undertaken extensive
graduate work.
Had you considered working in Next, the day focused on practical skill
remote and rural Queensland prior sessions with topics related to rural health
to this event? that promote interprofessional collaborative
practice. The team of amazing facilitators from
I had not seriously considered working in our Gold Sponsor, Southern Queensland Rural
remote or rural Queensland prior to the Farm Health (SQRH) led skills sessions in intravenous
Stay, but since the event, the option has cannulation, speech pathology and
become more tangible and appealing to me. occupational therapy.
4 Issue #14 | 5Training & Events: Supporting Conference Wrap Up
Health Professionals It’s been a busy time with conferences back up and running. Here is a wrap up of recent events.
Closing the Gap on Indigenous
Health, 25-26 May 2021
Our Emergency Paediatrics Workshop held and that is was ‘hands on, interactive with very
on the Gold Coast in May was a successful clear instructions which can be taken back to The gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal
event, attended by 14 delegates from around clinical settings’. The workshop was ‘another and Torres Strait Islander peoples remains
Queensland. short, high quality learning opportunity, well unacceptably high. On a national level, the
presented by enthusiastic & knowledgeable life expectancy gap has persisted at the same
Remote and rural general practitioners are educators’. level since the introduction of the initial Closing
commonly faced with a number of medical the Gap targets. Prevention and treatment
scenarios which requires them to be multi- Facilitators were Dr Sonia Twigg (Lead), Dr Gary in chronic disease, oral health, eye health,
skilled, and in particular paediatric care can Wood and Ms Louise Dodson. Health Workforce diabetes, alcohol and drug abuse, maternal
be very challenging. The aim of this workshop Queensland recruited Dr Gary Wood to his and infant health and nutrition are some of
was to provide rural doctors with cross domain, position with Goondir Health Service in St the most pressing challenges that face health
team-based learning opportunities related to George earlier in the year and it was wonderful services and Aboriginal Community Controlled
paediatrics. to work with him again in this capacity. Health Organisations.
The workshop consisted of eight sessions across Platinum sponsor for the workshop was Integer The Closing the Gap on Indigenous Health
two days and they were really well received Financial Group, and Equipment Sponsor was conference brought together over 35 RDAQ Conference, 24-26 Jun 2021
with delegates expressing what ‘a valuable Karl Storz. Thank you to our sponsors, facilitators organisations from the health sector to discuss
learning experience’ it was, with an ‘excellent and delegates for all coming together to make strategies and activities which are seeking to Hundreds of rural doctors and their families
interactive format and this event a success. For future Health address the disparity. Over the course of two attended the Rural Doctors Association of
sharing of director Workforce Queensland workshops days, presenters shared how they have kept Queensland (RDAQ) annual conference,
and participant please go to our website. communities safe during the COVID-19 held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the
experience’ pandemic; forged partnerships with mainstream Gold Coast in June. Another excellent event
health services to deliver better health outcomes connecting rural doctors, leaders in rural health
and engaged local communities for the more and medical students from across Queensland.
effective conception, development and delivery
of health services. We are proud to again support the RDAQ
conference as conference partner. Our Chair,
Dr Ross Maxwell and CEO, Chris Mitchell
RACGP Practice Owners addressed rural doctors at the health workforce
forum. On the day we released the 2020 Minimum
Conference, 19-20 Jun 2021 Data Set which reports on primary care workforce
in Qld. It is also available on our website.
It was a great turnout at the RACGP Practice
Owners Conference held in Brisbane in June. We had several staff attend the conference as
The event showcased a dynamic program, delegates and had a trade stand in the exhibition
and it was so great to be able to network with hall. We were on hand to provide delegates with
friends and colleagues new and old. It was an information on the Health Workforce Scholarship
inspiring two days, and the team were busy Program and how this could assist them in
at our trade stand in the exhibition hall. Our attending workshops, training and conferences in
Health Workforce Solutions team connected the future, and also discussed ways
with delegates and discussed workforce we can help to attract and retain
shortages and recruitment opportunities for a workforce in remote and rural
health professionals within the remote and rural areas where there is an identified
regions of Queensland. gap.
The Health Workforce Scholarship Program We are extremely delighted
(HWSP) team provided information to delegates by the professionalism of
about the opportunities available for health our Training and Events
professionals living and working in remote and Team, in the way they
rural communities in Queensland. The HWSP expertly supported
can assist with funding to attend workshops, another great event for
conferences and training opportunities to RDAQ. We look forward
maintain and expand their knowledge and skills. to seeing everyone next
year in Gladstone.
Contact the team for more information or visit
our website.
Dr Stephen Johnston with
6 new RDAQ president
Dr Michael ReinkeHWQ Staff: Out & About HWQ Staff Profile:
Tessa Niumata
Tell us a little about your role at HWQ. living in a foreign country was definitely an eye
opener and learning a new culture and another
As part of the Health Workforce Solutions team language was challenging but worthwhile. I
of coordinators, our primary focus is to provide eventually moved to Seoul and that one year
responsive workforce solutions and increase turned into five years! It was probably one of
the highly skilled, culturally competent primary the craziest decisions but an unforgettable
healthcare workforce for remote and rural experience.
communities that need it most.
What was the most recent TV show
As the Regional Coordinator for Darling Downs,
West Moreton and Brisbane North, I work closely you watched on Netflix/Stan/TV?
with the primary health stakeholders in the area to I am that person who has never seen an
help facilitate workforce placement and retention episode of Game of Thrones. I don’t watch
and supporting rural communities to gain access much TV, if I do it’s the news or sports. I think the
to good quality primary healthcare services. last television show would’ve been reruns of
Seinfeld.
al Forum How long have your worked with
edic o Politic
RDAQ M HWQ? Finally, do you prefer cats or dogs?
I’ve been with Health Workforce Queensland for I have cat allergies so definitely dogs. My
three and half successful years! brother has the cutest and most obedient
Border Collie Bull Staffy. His name is Bruno and
What is the best thing about being I have pretty much claimed him as mine too.
back in the office again, after
working from home for 12 months?
The new office is great, and it’s good to see it
all works as well as it did remotely. Being able
to work with my amazing team in person again
has been wonderful and having the additional
support available in the office also helps make a
difference in the work we do.
Where is the best location you have
visited in remote/rural Queensland?
I am very fortunate to be in a role where part
of my job is to attend health conferences and
visit primary health care practices in Rural
Queensland. All locations are unique in their own
way, but I would have to say Chinchilla has been
my best visit so far and it was the people I met
that made the visit more memorable.
Tell us something that might surprise
us about you.
After graduating from University many moons ago,
I decided I wanted to do a year of travel and to
live in a country I knew nothing about, and being
in my early twenties at that time it sounded like
a great idea! I decided to move to South Korea
and worked as an ESL Teacher for a Middle school
21
e 20 on an island called Geoje-do. Being Samoan Kiwi,
i, wi
nn e r o f t h rd , a n d
h Aw
a RDAQ
L a n z t h e B u s P re s i d e
nt
Confe
re
n y
Gold
o f
Coast nce,
T n e o M F N
kbo , QR
Bac c Telfar
Be
2021
8 Issue #14 | 9Region in Focus Region in Focus
Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Overall psychology, speech pathology and The most notable result was the consistently
occupational therapy had the highest workforce high workforce gap rating for the psychology
Sunshine Coast Data Snapshot gap rating across the Central Queensland, workforce found throughout the CQWBSC region,
43 Wide Bay, & Sunshine Coast region. The highest Central Queensland HHS, and Wide Bay HHS, but
Health Workforce Queensland continues to gap rating in the region was for the psychology not the Sunshine Coast HHS who instead reported
build an evidence base for remote, rural and workforce in the Central Queensland HHS. speech pathology as their largest workforce gap.
regional communities through our annual The Sunshine Coast HHS had the lowest average
Health Workforce Needs Assessment (HWNA). gap ratings in all of the CQWBSC region. The top six service gap means are provided in
Figure 3.
This edition of Health Works focuses on the
Central Queensland, Wide Bay & Sunshine 14
Coast region, providing a snapshot of workforce 91
gaps, primary care service gaps, and concerns 45 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
identified by health practitioners and managers
in their communities of practice, as well as 63
perceptions about telehealth. Mental Health
211 health practitioners/managers from Central
Queensland, Wide Bay & Sunshine Coast region N = 211
Alcohol and
responded to the 2021 surveys. The majority of Other Drugs
participants were either general practitioners
(43%) or practice managers (30%).
General Practitioners Practice Managers
Community Based
Figure 1: Number of CQWBSC Nurses/Midwives Allied Health Practitioners/Others Rehabilitation
Region participants by type
Aged Care
Survey participants were asked to rate their Figure 2 shows the highest six workforce gaps Social Support
level of agreement with a series of statements for the Central Queensland, Wide Bay &
about workforce and service gaps along a Sunshine Coast region (CQWBSC) as well as the
sliding scale from ‘0 = Strongly disagree’ to rating for each Hospital & Health Service (HHS)
‘100 = Strongly agree’. Higher scores indicate in the region. Oral Health
a stronger perception of the existence of a
workforce or service gap in the community.
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
CQWBSC Region Total Central Queensland HHS Wide Bay HHS Sunshine Coast HHS
Psychology
Speech
Pathology Figure 3: Mean service gap rating for CQWBSC Region and each HHS
Occupational
Therapy
Social
Work The highest service gap means for the CQWBSC
General
region were for mental health, alcohol and other Little/no allied health workforce
Practitioner
drugs, and community-based rehabilitation
services. The Central Queensland HHS had the
ATSI Health Worker highest service gap mean for any region for
/ Practitioner mental health services. Excessive wait times
Comments about workforce and service gaps
were thematically analysed and the following
CQWBSC Region Total Central Queensland HHS Wide Bay Sunshine Coast HHS themes emerged: High cost of services
Figure 2: Mean workforce gap rating for CQWBSC Region and each HHS region
Issue #14 | 11Region in Focus Region in Focus
The town that I work in, XXX has two There is a major lack in Allied health Participants were also asked to suggest changes care via Telehealth in their community(s) and the
that would improve the provision of primary following themes emerged:
doctors’ surgeries and a pharmacy. workers in the XXX community. Those
For all other disciplines you have who are in the community are booked
to travel to either YYY [town] or ZZZ up for weeks, which reduces quality
[town] located approximately a 20- of care. There are no government Improved support Retain COVID
Better connectivity
and 45-minute drive, respectively. funded allied health clinics within for telehealth MBS billing
the community, only private clinics.
Telehealth
Provide an access point (at a GP After-hours services who have got
The COVID -19 pandemic has seen a large 1. Telehealth has had a positive impact on my an after-hours agreement with local
increase in the use of telehealth in primary health professional life
clinic or library) for clients to be
care. Practitioners and managers were surveyed able to use for [Telehealth] health practices have been supplying
about the impact and potential for telehealth. 2. Telehealth has had a positive impact on primary appointments or have a nurse/ Telehealth bulkbilled consults to Central
They were asked to respond on a scale from care for community members
social work or home visit access. Queenslanders; often provided by
‘0 = Strongly disagree’ to ‘100 = Strongly agree’
3. I would like telehealth to be more widely urban doctors who have never seen the
to the following three statements: patients before and do not have access
available for rural/remote practitioners
to their records. This does not improve
the health outcomes of these patients in
90
Continue to be free through PHN many cases. We would support a change
- helpful when more patients to the MBS descriptor of these items, so
85 have better internet. Telephone urban doctors in need of extra work can
appointments with regular doctor no longer service rural/regional patients
80
or for scripts has been terrific. without moving out of the cities.
75
70
65
60
55
50
Positive impact on Positive impact on Would like telehealth to
professional life community members be more widely available
CQWBSC Region Total Central Queensland HHS Wide Bay HHS Sunshine Coast HHS
Figure 4: Mean telehealth impact ratings for CQWBSC region and each HHS region
12Job Vacancies Contact us for more information on our current vacancies:
P: 07 3105 7800 | E: hws@healthworkforce.com.au
General Practitioner Podiatrist
Innisfail Mount Isa
The opportunity exists for two General Practitioners to Go for the life experience, stay for the lifestyle.
make a real difference to health care working directly Mount Isa is known as the ‘Oasis of the Outback’
within an Aboriginal community-controlled health and offers the relaxed lifestyle and close-knit,
organisation that is owned and managed by Aboriginal supportive community of a small town, without
and Torres Strait Islander people. Your commitment sacrificing the amenities of city living. A fantastic
to this clinic will provide vital services to the beautiful opportunity exists for a qualified Podiatrist with a
Innisfail community, located 1 hour south of Cairns and genuine passion for rural/remote health care to join a
3.5 hours north of Townsville. And your backyard will be practice in Mount Isa, where you can actually make
the Great Barrier Reef, stunning islands, lush rainforests a difference. Whether you are looking for a change
and waterfalls. If you are looking to be part of the of scenery or new adventure, this is an opportunity
change, to help close the gap on health care where to make a real and valuable contribution. For more
it is needed, apply for this unique and important role. information go to our website.
Further information can be found on our website.
Registered Nurse Physiotherapist
Emerald Warwick
Emerald is located in Central Queensland, a one-hour Warwick, located 1.5 hours from Brisbane, is a well-
flight from Brisbane and a three-hour drive west of resourced town with a number of excellent schools,
Rockhampton, with a population of around 35,000. The medical practices, a vibrant shopping precinct, gyms
second clinic of a successful practice was opened in and sporting clubs. It’s a wonderful place to live,
Emerald in February 2020 and they are currently seeking ‘just down the road’ from Brisbane and close to the
a Registered Nurse to join them. It is a high-end general beautiful wine region of Stanthorpe. A private practice
practice with a strong focus on quality and patient that has been servicing Warwick for over 40 years, and
centred care. Accommodation and car allowance is is also the largest Allied Health practice in the Southern
negotiable depending on commitment to the practice. Darling Downs, requires another Physiotherapist to join
For more information on this position go to our website. the team. To find out more go to our website.
Emergency Mental Health Workshop
14 - 15 August 2021, Brisbane
Level 4, 348 Edward Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
07 3105 7800 admin@healthworkforce.com.au
07 3105 7801 healthworkforce.com.auYou can also read
