Country to Coast QLD

18/02/2026

Country to Coast Queensland is creating healthy partnerships across the region, this month collaborating with Healthy Ageing Partnerships, Comlink Australia, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Health on an inspiring community event.

Staying in the Driver’s Seat — for Older Adults 🚘

🗓 Thursday, 5 March
⏰ 9am – 12:30pm
📍 Sunshine Coast Health Institute co-located with the University Hospital Birtinya
💲 Cost: $10 + booking fee
☕ Free morning tea and parking

This practical and supportive forum is all about helping you stay confident, safe and mobile on your own terms. Because driving is more than just getting from A to B — it’s about freedom, connection and living life your way.

Reserve a place now at the Sunshine Coast hosted forum 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/healthy-ageing-forum-staying-in-the-drivers-seat-tickets-1982475111425?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawQCJ3JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJZR25OZkc3T2RtZWp4NUZzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoIXOiyX6Iw3batodUJPM58OFQiv-eCZ02Sc6yoASvCd0Yhx4UOd4VXbgPW9_aem_BdmCkXAlI8058TTC1-jj5g

HEALTHY AGEING FORUM

🚗 Staying in the Driver’s Seat

Driving represents freedom, connection, and choice and getting older doesn’t mean handing over the keys. It just means being informed, prepared, and supported.

Staying in the Driver’s Seat is a practical, supportive forum designed to help older adults:

✔️ Continue driving safely for as long as possible
✔️ Understand changes and plan ahead with confidence
✔️ Explore future transport options without losing independence
✔️ Ask questions, share experiences, and feel empowered

Whether you’re driving confidently, noticing small changes, or simply planning ahead this forum is about staying mobile on your own terms.

📅 Thursday, 5 March 2026
🕘 9:00am – 12:00pm
📍 Sunshine Coast Health Institute
6 Doherty Street, Birtinya
🚗 Free parking (P2 via Bullwinkel Lane – parking validated)
☕ Morning tea included

🎟 Entry: $10 + booking fee

👉 Secure your spot here:
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/healthy-ageing-forum-staying-in-the-drivers-seat-tickets-1982475111425?aff=oddtdtcreator

18/02/2026

‼️ Sunshine Coast Public Health Measles Alert

Sunshine Coast Health has issued a measles alert, including updated exposure locations and contact tracing information.

If you were at any of the listed locations during the specified times:
• Monitor for symptoms for 18 days
• Check your vaccination status
• Contact your GP if symptoms develop

Measles is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination.

Full details from Sunshine Coast Health below 👇

⚠️ Public Health Alert: Measles ⚠️

Sunshine Coast Health is currently managing a confirmed case of measles.

Contract tracing is currently underway, with exposure sites identified at Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH):

🔴 SCUH Emergency Department, 11 February 9:20pm – 12 February 2:10am
🔴 SCUH Child and Adolescent Ward, 12 February 1:50am – 15 February 1:25pm
🔴 SCUH Paediatric Critical Care Unit, 15 February 12:55pm – 16 February 1:45pm

Anyone who was at the exposure sites should monitor for symptoms for 18 days.

Measles is a very contagious disease and can be caught in public places if an infectious person is present. It spreads through tiny droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes.

Early symptoms include fever, tiredness, runny nose, a moist cough, and red, sore eyes. A few days later, a blotchy red rash develops, starting on the face and spreading across the body.

If you or a family member feel unwell, call your General Practitioner (GP), visit your nearest Emergency Department, or phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). Do not go directly there, please phone ahead first and let them know you have been exposed to measles so staff can take precautions to protect others. You should ask for a urine or nose/throat swab PCR test.

Even without symptoms:

🤰High-risk groups (pregnant women, infants, immunocompromised) should contact their GP for advice
💉 Check your vaccination status

You are generally considered immune to measles if:

📆 You were born before 1966
💉 You have had two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine (such as MMR)
🩸 You have proven immunity from a blood test
🧫 You have previously had laboratory-confirmed measles.

Everyone should take the opportunity to ensure they are vaccinated against measles. Anyone who does not meet the above criteria should speak with their GP about immunisation. The measles vaccine is free for people born in or after 1966. Infants from six months of age who are travelling can also be vaccinated.

Measles can be very distressing and may cause serious illness, even in otherwise healthy teenagers and young adults.

More information can be found on the Queensland Health website: www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/viral-infections/measles

17/02/2026

The first Clinical Societies round of 2026 officially opened on the Sunshine Coast last week, bringing together more than 180 health professionals across Noosa, Nambour and Caloundra and setting the tone for thoughtful, responsible reform.

With Queensland’s ADHD reforms now in effect, clinicians are actively stepping into what this expanded scope means for primary care. Conversations were practical and future-focused, centred on comprehensive assessment, safe prescribing and whole-of-person management.

Building local capability was front of mind, with several clinicians exploring service development and one GP already reporting increased referrals following panel involvement.

Engagement with Sunshine Coast Health through GP Smart Referrals and Request for Advice reinforced an important message echoed throughout the week:

“You are not alone.”
— Dr Durap, Paediatrician

The value of peer discussion and local connection was widely acknowledged, highlighting how collaboration underpins safe, coordinated care.

Thank you to every clinician who engaged so thoughtfully, asked important questions and committed to delivering best-practice ADHD care in our region. Your leadership matters.

Wide Bay events are now sold out, and Central Queensland sessions have limited places remaining.

🔗 Final registrations: https://ow.ly/jQGV50YgSXU

16/02/2026

Join the next CPD-accredited PHASES webinar Driving Quality Improvement in General Practice on Wednesday 25 February 2026 | 12-1pm (AEST).

PHASES is a statewide program co-funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease.

Why attend?
� Understand the PHASES initiative and the value of a whole-of-practice approach to cardiovascular disease prevention.
� Learn how to lead effective quality improvement activities in your practice.
� Apply evidence-based tools to close care gaps, track progress, and strengthen CVD prevention.
� Earn CPD

Guest Speaker Kari Lusk, Operations Manager – CPM AAPM (Certified PM) Montier Health will discuss the importance of CVD quality improvement in general practice.

Register now: https://ow.ly/67IR50XSgQO

11/02/2026

Feeling the pressure to confidently assess and manage ADHD under Queensland’s new reforms?

Our Clinical Societies series continues across Queensland, with expert speakers joining the Wide Bay events next week to support GPs and primary care teams navigating this shift in everyday practice.

These sessions focus on what matters most on the ground — sound clinical judgement, safe management and practical approaches that work in real-world primary care settings.

Wide Bay event dates & speakers

📍 Bundaberg | 17 February 2026 (Last tickets available)
• Dr Matthew Wakeley – Director of Paediatrics, Bundaberg Hospital (WBHHS)
• Dr Jeanette Wimbus – General Practitioner, Grace Medical Skin and Vein Centre

📍 Mundubbera | 17 February 2026 (Registration open)
• Local discussion

📍 Hervey Bay | 18 February 2026 (Join waiting list)
• A/Prof Dr Penelope Prasad – Director of Paediatrics, Hervey Bay Hospital (WBHHS)
• Skye Ward – Psychologist, Bright Day Psychology
• Dr Parisa Loxham – Psychiatrist, The Primrose Clinic

Join your local Clinical Society and build confidence in delivering safe, evidence-based ADHD care across the lifespan.

👉 Secure your place for available locations: https://ow.ly/LAkY50YcCzG

Speakers for Central Queensland events will be announced shortly.

04/02/2026

Today is Primary Health Care Nurses Day — a moment to recognise nurses working across general practice, aged care, community health, schools and other community settings.

Primary health care nurses are often the first point of contact when people need care. They support prevention, early intervention and continuity of care, helping people stay well and connected in their communities. 💙

With more than 104,000 nurses contributing to primary care nationwide, today is an opportunity to acknowledge the skills, compassion and commitment that underpin strong, healthy communities.👏 Thank you to all primary health care nurses for the difference you make every day.

Hosted by APNA - Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association – Supporting Nurses in Primary Health Care.

03/02/2026

Do you work in primary health? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to attend a free Growing Primary Care Resilience Workshop this February. Events are being held in Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.

Disasters don’t wait, but your practice can be ready. Regional Business HQ’s free, in-person workshops are designed to support primary care providers to prepare for, respond to, and recover from unexpected disruptions.

📍 Rockhampton – Wed 11 Feb | 5:30–7:00pm
📍 Yeppoon – Thu 12 Feb | 7:00–8:30am
📍 Hervey Bay – Tue 17 Feb | 6:00–7:30pm
📍 Bundaberg – Tue 24 Feb | 6:00–7:30pm

👩‍⚕️ For primary care providers
🎟️ Free to attend

👉 Spots are limited — register now: https://ow.ly/2ZNr50Y7Ya6

Regional Business HQ’s Growing Primary Care Resilience Workshops are funded by Country to Coast Queensland (CCQ) through the Australian Government’s PHN program and is supported by the Resilient CARE program, a partnership between CCQ and Australian Business Volunteers.

Learn more about the Resilient CARE program at https://ow.ly/34fp50Y7Ya5

02/02/2026

Learn how to link QI to help your patients CVD health this February.

PHASES is a 2025-26 initiative supporting GPs, ACCHOs/AMS, and primary care teams to prevent heart attack and stroke events.

Why attend the next webinar:
✅ Understand the PHASES initiative and the value of a whole-of-practice approach to cardiovascular disease prevention.
✅ Learn how to lead effective quality improvement activities in your practice.
✅ Apply evidence-based tools to close care gaps, track progress, and strengthen CVD prevention.

This is about moving beyond treatment to proactive prevention — helping us protect patients before heart attacks and strokes happen and earn CPD 👉 https://ow.ly/JPov50XSgNb

31/01/2026

Good things happen when health and housing unite. Thanks to our dedicated CCQ teams, local regional partners and the support of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the CCQ Rockhampton Mobile Health Service has been on the ground supporting people experiencing homelessness and housing instability after the recent Central Queensland floods.

The goal was simple: take healthcare to people, instead of expecting people to push through the usual barriers. With a nurse and a GP on board, the team has been able to treat things like wounds, infections and other health issues early and link people in with existing services for ongoing care. That early care can help stop small problems turning into emergency department visits or hospital admissions.

The temporary disaster response service wraps up this weekend at 6pm Sunday 1 February 2026. Rockhampton is no longer in emergency but this work has shown what is possible when services turn up early and work together. We’ll be taking these learnings into future planning so people are not left behind when the next event hits.

Learn more: https://c2coast.org.au/mobile-health-service

We thank Queensland Housing and Public Works (HOME outreach team), Roseberry Qld, CQID, 1300MEDICS, Rockhampton Regional Council, Rockhampton Central Medical Centre (ForHealth), Foodbank Queensland, Anglicare Southern Queensland (MPIP), Jacks House, Vinnies QLD, Orange Sky Australia and The Salvation Army Australia.

This work builds on CCQ’s delivery of CQ Zero in partnership with Roseberry Qld, localising the national Advance to Zero initiative, which has registered around 100 people experiencing homelessness in Rockhampton, many with high and complex health needs and frequent reliance on acute services.

Learn more: https://c2coast.org.au/ccq-zero

30/01/2026

Clinical Societies Speaker Announcement | Sunshine Coast Events

We’re pleased to announce the expert speakers joining our Sunshine Coast Clinical Society events this February, focused on supporting primary care to assess and manage ADHD across the lifespan.

Designed for GPs and primary care professionals, these sessions will deliver practical, evidence-based insights aligned with Queensland’s ADHD reforms.

Event dates & speakers

📍 Noosa | 10 February 2026
• Dr Toni Redman – Paediatrician, Clinical Lead, Child Development Service, Sunshine Coast Health
• Professor Shuichi Suetani – Community Psychiatrist, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health

📍 Nambour | 11 February 2026
• Dr Megan Watson – Paediatrician, Child Development Service, Sunshine Coast Health
• Professor Shuichi Suetani – Community Psychiatrist, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health

📍 Caloundra | 12 February 2026
• Dr Natalie Durup – Developmental Paediatrician, Paeds in a Pod
• Professor Shuichi Suetani – Community Psychiatrist, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health

📍 Gympie | 19 February 2026
• Dr Ianthe Mills – Deputy Director of Paediatrics, Developmental Paediatrician, Child Development Service, Sunshine Coast Health
• Dr William Ackers – Psychiatrist, Empowered Minds Clinic

Why attend?

✔ Practical ADHD assessment and diagnosis across the lifespan
✔ Evidence-based management and prescribing considerations
✔ Clear referral and shared-care pathways
✔ Locally relevant, multidisciplinary perspectives

👉 Registrations still open – limited places available 🔗 https://ow.ly/4iGU50Y5Lnf
Speakers for Central Queensland and Wide Bay events will be announced shortly.

19/01/2026

Cardiovascular disease is still Australia’s second biggest killer — but what if we could spot the risks earlier and act before tragedy strikes?

That’s exactly what PHASES is about:
✅ Smarter, data-driven tools for GPs
✅ Linking risk with real outcomes
✅ Stronger collaboration across primary care, Aboriginal health, and communities.

PHASES is a statewide screening, recall and treatment program supporting general practice to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease (CVD). It combines clinical tools such as Primary Sense™ and the Australian CVD Risk Calculator, practice-level quality improvement support, and a consumer campaign to drive earlier intervention, optimise care, and reduce the burden of disease.

The goal? Fewer heart attacks. Fewer strokes. Longer, healthier lives across Queensland.

Proud to see this work taking shape across Queensland. Learn more 👇 https://ow.ly/qhPH50XSgBW

Mark your calendar and join the 25 February webinar. Register now 👇 https://ow.ly/ywlo50XSgBY

16/01/2026

Central Queensland: it’s been a rough run of weather. If you’re running on empty, not sleeping, or feeling on edge, a quick chat can help.

Call Medicare Mental Health 1800 595 212 (free) Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm. You’ll speak with a trained professional who can help you work out the best next step and link you to the right local support if needed.

If you need urgent help, call Lifeline 13 11 14.

Take care of yourself and those around you — support is always within reach.

Learn more at: https://medicarementalhealth.gov.au/phone-service