MEDIA RELEASE: Largest ever gathering of primary health care professionals to occur in south west Queensland
“The value of this Forum is that it brings together some of the most eminent minds in healthcare to share research, showcase current initiatives, but crucially establish a pathway forward that ensures South West Queenslanders can continue to rely on their local health networks to support them.”
WQPHN CEO Sandy Gillies
The challenge of maintaining a stable and sustainable primary health care workforce will be one of the key agenda items on this weekend’s landmark South West Health Forum to be held in Roma, the largest gathering of its kind held in the region.
More than 100 key health stakeholders will meet in the heart of the South West, including government representatives, GPs and nurses, Indigenous health services, allied healthcare professionals and leaders in healthcare research and strategy.
The two-day Forum is a collaboration between Health Workforce Queensland and the Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) and aims to identify the gaps in the health workforce, policy barriers and skills shortages, and to hear about the array of initiatives currently active in the region.
“It’s no secret there are ongoing challenges for regions like the South West with respect to maintaining a health workforce that effectively meets the needs of communities with increasingly complex health requirements,” WQPHN CEO Sandy Gillies said.
“The value of this Forum is that it brings together some of the most eminent minds in healthcare to share research, showcase current initiatives, but crucially establish a pathway forward that ensures South West Queenslanders can continue to rely on their local health networks to support them.”
While full year data will be collated at the end of the 2021 financial year, latest WQPHN forecasting shows health services in the South West are currently experiencing dramatic surges in demand.
INVITED DELEGATES ONLY- South West Health Forum, March 6th and 7th, Explorers Inn, 44778 Warrego Highway, Roma.
The full media release can be found here.
Media Liaison:
Paul Stone (WQPHN) M: 0414 326 848 E: paul@sticksandstonespr.com.au