The Australian Government Department of Health recently tasked Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) to distribute PPE from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) as part of the Government’s $180 million Living with COVID-19 Primary Care Package.
After receiving the supply, NQPHN has now couriered PPE to 71 local general practices, GP Respiratory Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) which are treating COVID positive patients.
To date, NQPHN has distributed the following across North Queensland:
- 48,900 surgical face masks
- 48,800 gloves
- 44,320 P2/N95 face masks
- 19,531 surgical gowns
- 19,430 eye goggles
- 978 hand sanitisers
- 355 pulse oximeters
- 100 face shields.
NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said it was important that healthcare professionals have access to the critical PPE supplies they require to continue to safely consult with their patients during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“The safety of our healthcare workers and the communities to which they provide health services is of paramount importance during a pandemic like COVID-19,” Ms Whyte said.
“After being informed of the PPE being made available, we quickly assembled a team which assisted in taking delivery, opening, sorting, repacking and organising couriers for these items for primary healthcare providers across North Queensland,” Ms Whyte said.
“It was a significant logistical task, and our team did an amazing job to ensure all PPE orders were fulfilled within just a few days.
“I would like to thank everyone in the primary care sector for continuing to work together with NQPHN and the broader health care sector to protect our community here in North Queensland.
“Primary care plays a vital role in saving lives and protecting the health of our communities, and PPE plays a crucial role in achieving that.”