An ongoing commitment to collaboration

This year has seen a continued commitment to collaboration between the PHN and Metro North Hospital and Health Service (Metro North HHS), following the renewal of the joint protocol late last year.

Board members from the PHN and Metro North HHS met recently during September 2019 to discuss the interface between primary and secondary care, further strengthening the partnership between organisations.

The joint protocol, renewed in December 2018, governs how the PHN and Metro North HHS work together and recognises that better health outcomes are achievable with effective collaboration between primary healthcare and hospital services.

In 2019, the strength of this joint approach benefitted the Health Alliance, which continued to make significant progress with its priority projects.

Its Ageing Well Initiative is co-designing an improved interface between hospital, primary and community services and the Alliance is continuing to collaborate across sectors to co-design system solutions for children and their families in Caboolture.

Other areas of work that benefit from the PHN and Metro North HHS collaboration include the General Practice Liaison Officer (GPLO) led education program and Brisbane North HealthPathways.

The GPLO program delivered RACGP-accredited education to over 500 participants during the 2018/19 financial year.

In 2020, the PHN and Metro North HHS will build on this collaborative work through the continuation of existing initiatives and by identifying further areas in which to work together to improve the health of communities in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay region.