Kim Pierce, Account Manager for Aged Care at Cootharinga North Queensland, believes that Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) has provided those working in the aged care sector in North Queensland an enormous helping hand in accessing local conferences, education and training events, and networking opportunities.

As an organisation, Cootharinga aims to provide support throughout the community to improve disability services in north Queensland.

Kim liaises with NQPHN’s Aged Care Co-ordinator in Townsville.

“Melissa is excellent! Whenever I need to verify information, or need to find some additional information, she is always so helpful,” Kim said.

Kim is currently putting together the aged care program, which is a new service for Cootharinga.

“The aged care sector has a lot of reform, so it’s wonderful to have an organisation like NQPHN which can co-ordinate a lot of this relevant information and deliver it effectively through email, newsletters, or from Melissa herself,” Kim said.

“Working in a not-for-profit sector means there isn’t a lot of money available for staff to go travelling around Australia for conferences and events, so it’s really great that NQPHN offers everything locally, where it’s needed most.

“NQPHN has presented us with terrific networking opportunities and provided essential information and education through multiple training events and a national conference.

“These events have given me opportunities to speak with the Aged Care Quality Agency and the Complaints Commissioner in the region without having to travel too far.”

Kim believes that the support and resources delivered by NQPHN contribute immensely to enhancing the quality of aged care services in northern Queensland.