Allied health
Brisbane North PHN is strengthening our partnership with the allied health sector, which plays an integral role in facilitating a continuum of care for patients, keeping them well and supported in the community.
The Allied Health Collaborative
The Allied Health Collaborative is an inclusive support network of local allied health practices that aims to strengthen collaboration and build partnerships between professionals, the primary care sector and the PHN.
New members are welcome to join the multidisiplinary Collaborative at any time.
Invitations to participate in engagement activities are disseminated via the Collaborative. Members will also be subscribed to our bi-monthly newsletter, Allied Health Connect.
We encourage allied health practices in our region to join by completing the Your Voice in Allied Health survey via the button below.
Find out more
Brisbane North PHN has established the Allied Health Collaborative to support allied health professionals in our region to facilitate patient-centred, integrated health care. The AHC provides opportunities to network, engage and connect, strengthening collaboration between the allied health sector, primary care and the PHN.
By joining the Collaborative, you will:
- advise on key priorities impacting the allied health sector in the region with a focus on prevention, wellbeing and chronic condition management
- identify the enablers and barriers to providing patient-centered, integrated healthcare and contribute to the development of local initiatives
- actively participate in stakeholder engagement initiatives including service mapping, support needs assessments, consultations and quality improvement activities
- explore future opportunities to provide better access to allied health services and facilitate multidisciplinary team care, improving health outcomes for patients
- participate in the Your Voice in Allied Health survey and update your service details with the PHN (as required) to inform future collaboration and engagement opportunities
- network with your allied health colleagues to raise awareness of the Collaborative and help disseminate stakeholder engagement opportunities to providers in the region.
The PHN will seek feedback from the Collaborative regularly as part of our commitment to continuous quality improvement.
The AHC is inclusive and multidisciplinary in nature, with members representing a diverse range of allied health professions and settings including:
- primary healthcare
- sole traders, companies and partnerships
- public and private practice
- non-government organisations
- Metro North Health (acute, subacute and community health)
- private hospitals
- Brisbane North PHN.
The Collaborative newsletter Allied Health Connect provides professionals with key updates and opportunities from the PHN, service providers and the broader health sector.
Compiled by the Allied Health team at Brisbane North PHN, Allied Health Connect supports informed, patient-centered practice and facilitates connection with the primary care sector. Collaborative members will receive the bi-monthly newsletter, Allied Health Connect. Non-members can sign up on our Newsletters page.
Read previous editions of Allied Health Connect online.
Allied Health Sector Support Roadmap
Brisbane North PHN partnered with Impact Co. to undertake a series of consultations, surveys, interviews and focus groups to better understand the needs of allied health in our region and how we can support the sector.
Informed by these insights, we have developed the Allied Health Support Sector Roadmap 2026-2028—a roadmap of engagement activities that addresses local support needs within the PHN’s scope of influence.
Sector insights
- Current levels of support for allied health practices are insufficient when measured against demand and service requirements.
- The cost of adopting digital health technologies to support service delivery is a challenge for practices.
- System interoperability is leading to fragmented care.
- Incomplete and/or poor-quality referrals create significant time burdens and treatment delays.
- Navigating ongoing reform changes with limited support is a key concern.
- There is desire for networking opportunities and increased collaboration between allied health practices and the broader primary care sector.
- Current funding models are a barrier to delivering integrated, multidisciplinary team (MDT) care.
- There is an opportunity to educate the primary care sector and the community about the diverse scope and role of allied health and the benefit of MDT care.
- Rising costs of living and costs of running a practice are having system-wide impacts.
- Professional development opportunities and events would be well received by the sector.
- There is sector-wide motivation to work towards an inclusive primary care system.
These insights helped inform our Allied Health Sector Support Roadmap.
Resources
Resources to support allied health professionals
Recognising that a greater focus on allied health in primary care is essential for improving patient access, integration, safety, quality and cost-efficiency across the health system, the PHN Cooperative developed the National PHN Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework.
The National Allied Health Practice Engagement Toolkit (the Toolkit) aims to support allied health professionals in private practice with:
- understanding the local healthcare system they operate in, including their local PHN and how to connect with other primary care professionals and referrers
- understanding more about the services and resources that are offered by allied health peak bodies
- accessing learning and education opportunities to build skills and capabilities to improve patient care
- improving safety and quality in allied healthcare through tools that support improvement approaches
- understanding and utilising funding streams and accessing grant opportunities to support business efficiency and growth
- understanding the use of different digital healthcare systems to improve integration and connectivity of the healthcare system, and to support practice efficiency.
Continuous quality improvement (CQI) improves patient outcomes by strengthening practice processes, enhancing data quality and digital health and supporting better patient care.
CQI activities involve small, incremental adjustments to existing processes that lead to sustainable, long-term improvements.
The CQI checklist provides a step-by-step guide to support allied health practices to develop practical, meaningful improvement activities that can be implemented and sustained over time.
Digital health is evolving in primary care and for allied health professionals, knowing what applies to you and where to start can feel overwhelming.
Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) has developed an Allied Health Digital Health Hub, which provides practical resources and tools to help improve your digital capability one step at a time to support more integrated, coordinated care.
Access the Digital Health Hub and subscribe to the AHPA Digital Digest for updates.
If you are an allied health professional working in private practice, you may be eligible to access one of the following free interpreting services.
Translating and Interpreting Service for Brisbane City Council LGA
Allied health professionals working in the Brisbane City Council Local Government Area (LGA) are eligible to access the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) Free Interpreting Service (FIS), which aims to provide equitable access to key services for people with limited or no English language proficiency.
The service is delivered by the Department of Home Affairs Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on behalf of the Department as a pilot program for selected LGAs. If your allied health service operates in the Brisbane City Council LGA you may be eligible to access this service.
More information and eligibility criteria.
Apply to access the Free Interpreting Service.
Working with interpreters
Working with a qualified interpreter is essential to ensure all patients can access healthcare regardless of the English language skills. Engaging an interpreter helps you to communicate effectively with your non-English speaking patients, can protect you from professional risk and is consistent with best practice ethical and professional standards.
Guidelines for engaging an interpreter
- Identify the need for an interpreter as early as possible.
- If a patient does not speak English (and you do not fluently speak their language):
- engage a qualified interpreter
- avoid using relatives or friends to interpret – consider only for simple day-to-day communication
- do not use an automated translating app – these are not approved for use by health professionals when communicating with patients in a clinical setting.
- If the patient requires an interpreter:
- identify their preferences and record these on file
- consider whether a longer appointment is needed.
Multicultural Health eLearning Modules
Brisbane North PHN has partnered with Settlement Services International (SSI) to provide allied health professionals with access to two multicultural health e-Learning modules: Introduction to culturally responsive practice and Working with interpreters.
In Introduction to culturally responsive practice, you'll:
- learn about cultural and linguistic diversity across Australia and the Brisbane North PHN region
- understand the principles of culturally responsive practice
- reflect on how inclusive strategies can be used when working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The Working with interpreters module will help you:
- understand the value and importance of working with professional interpreters
- describe the principles of culturally responsive communication
- identify common barriers to engaging professional interpreters
- assess when a professional interpreter is needed and key considerations
- implement practical strategies to work effectively with professional interpreters.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released new guidance to support clinicians in the day-to-day use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Pragmatic AI guidance for clinicians resources are available and relevant for clinicians who may use AI in their clinical work including doctors, nurses, medical imaging and allied health professionals, working in general practice, private practice, community health or hospitals.
Topics include:
- reviewing the evidence on the efficacy of the AI tool
- common limitations and risks of AI
- transparency in the use of AI and informed consent
- understanding the implications for patient information
- understanding AI and automation bias
- ongoing evaluation and monitoring of AI tools.
Brisbane North PHN provides a list of local positions available in the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions, submitted by local healthcare providers.
View current opportunities for allied health providers.
Local allied health businesses can also post a job listing on our website.
Localised HealthPathways are designed to provide our region’s clinicians with up-to-date evidence-based patient assessment and management, referral and service information in an easy-to-access web and mobile friendly format.
Contact
Contact us
To speak to our Allied Health team, visit the contact us page and select Allied Health from the enquiry type drop down.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians within our region: the Jagera, Turrbal, Gubbi Gubbi, Waka Waka and the Ningy Ningy peoples of where we meet, work and learn. Brisbane North PHN is committed to reconciliation. Our vision for reconciliation is where the stories of our First Nations’ people are heard and shared, and networks are formed.