Codesign for the new Cairns Head to Health service is underway with more than 50 community members and service providers turning out for the initial community consultation session to have their say.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) held the session in early September at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort, in Manunda, to ensure this new service is designed to meet local needs.

The session was well represented by local service providers, hospital and primary healthcare clinicians, people with lived experience, and community members keen to help codesign the service.

Attendees were provided with the opportunity to work through four activities, based on the Double Diamond approach to human-centred design.

Cairns Head to Health will provide a safe and welcoming space for people to receive compassionate support for a variety of needs that can be supported outside of the hospital setting and emergency department.

It will be a free service providing extended hours of service, with no appointment or referral needed.

The service is a joint initiative of NQPHN and CHHHS and further codesign activities will be undertaken throughout the remainder of 2023.

A procurement process will be undertaken in early 2024 to identify a service provider/s to deliver the Cairns Head to Health service.

More information about Head to Health can be found here. If you have any questions or queries about Cairns Head to Health, contact NQPHN at mhaodplanning@nqphn.com.au