FAQs
Frequent questions
What is Healthy Outback Communities?
Healthy Outback Communities (HOC) is a new approach to health and wellbeing in remote Central Western Queensland’s channel country. HOC is a community driven initiative to support residents to proactively access health and wellbeing services, shifting the focus from illness to wellness.
It advocates for a shift in healthcare mindset, focusing more on staying well rather than just treating illness. By facilitating access to health and wellbeing services sooner, the aim is to reduce the need for hospital visits, prevent long-term health issues, and foster lifestyles that support this approach.
Who delivers Healthy Outback Communities?
HOC is established by the Western Queensland Primary Health Network and is delivered by:
- Barcoo Shire Council
- Boulia Shire Council
- Central West Hospital and Health Service
- CheckUP
- Health and Wellbeing Queensland
- Health Consumers Queensland
- Health Workforce Queensland
- Queensland Reform Office
- Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section)
- Western Queensland Primary Health Network
Why Healthy Outback Communities?
Central Western Queensland channel country spans almost 220,000 sq km, equivalent to the size of Victoria, and 13% of the state’s total land area. The 1,100 residents of these communities do not have a locally based doctor or pharmacy. The communities rely heavily on the local nurse, visiting health services and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The HOC team will connect residents to locally tailored wellbeing services to support physical, social, and emotional wellbeing.
How is HOC different to other health programs?
We have listened to the Central Western Queensland channel country communities, and it is time for action. HOC will be what these communities asked for, including:
- a locally based program driven by the needs of the community
- focused on wellness rather than illness
- a one stop shop for access to coordinated health and community services
- accessible virtually
- building and supporting local workforce capability.
What are the benefits of Healthy Outback Communities?
HOC aims for empowered communities that result in fewer trips to the hospital, fewer long-term health issues, and improved lifestyles. Benefits of HOC for the community include:
- quality tailored health care for the individual
- increase in place-based and community-led healthcare to reduce long distance travel
- support for vulnerable communities from local health and wellbeing workers
- coordination of care between health and wellbeing services to guide and support an individual
- increased health workforce in a community to respond to identified health needs
- increase in prevention and early detection of illness.
Where will Healthy Outback Communities be rolled out?
HOC will be initially rolled out in the Barcoo Shire and then commenced across the Boulia Shire.
When and where did the program launch?
HOC was launched in the Barcoo Shire in the town of Windorah on Saturday 27 April 2024. It was a wonderful day as Barcoo residents, Healthy Outback Communities Alliance partners, and health and community service providers came together for free health checks, wellbeing information and family fun.
The children had an awesome day at Kids Adventure Alley including a paper plane competition, football toss with NRL legend Darius Boyd, and exciting acrobatics with Flipside Workshop. Attendees received a free health check, and were invited to sign up to the Healthy Outback Club.
Who is the Western Queensland Primary Health Network?
Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) is an independent not for profit established in 2015. WQPHN is one of seven PHNs across Queensland (one of 31 funded by the Australian Government) and:
- aims to improve patient care in the region and make primary health care more efficient and effective
- commissions (or funds) health services in Western Queensland
- aligns health investment with demonstrated population health needs
- uses health intelligence data to orientate health services efficiently and effectively
- ensures the right primary health care is delivered, at the right time, by the right provider
- receives advice from GPs and other health professionals and consumers.
