PHN wraps up another year of meet and greets

To end the month, the PHN wrapped up another successful year of health professionals meet and greets across the region.

We were joined by more than 400 health professionals at networking events in Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Dalby, Goondiwindi, South Burnett, and Springfield.

Meet and greets were originally established to introduce new registrars to the local community. Post COVID-19, they have provided an opportunity to bring the health care community together again to get to know each other and to discuss important topics impacting the local community.

This year, we were joined by GPs, practice nurses, allied health providers, commissioned service providers, and practice staff, who took the opportunity to network with their peers and learn about how the PHN can support them.

Bringing health professionals together is an important part of improving the connectivity within the health care system, which in turn can improve the experience and health outcomes of patients.

Across the region, the meet and greets highlighted the significance of the work the PHN is doing across all levels to support a stronger, sustainable workforce.

The PHN is part of the Australian General Practice Training Workforce Planning and Prioritisation (GP WPP) program in Queensland which is focused on attracting registrars and interns to our region, with a view to supporting them to remain in the region.

Lucille Chalmers, CEO of Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN, reflected on the success of this year’s meet and greets:

“We always enjoy meeting and catching up with our primary care providers who are involved in the various projects and initiatives that are happening across the region.”

“This year’s events provided an opportunity to reflect on the opening of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and Mental Health Centres, the PHN’s first podcast, GPs in a Pod, and the upcoming changes to MyMedicare, among many other topics,” said Ms Chalmers.

“It’s also a great opportunity for us to listen to the challenges health professionals are facing, and the successes they’ve had, which vary from community to community.”

The primary care workforce is also the current TALK ABOUT topic. From 3 March to 14 April 2025 we are asking community members and health professionals to provide their feedback on what is working well and what could be done better to support the local health workforce.