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07
May
2021
COVID-19 vaccine supplies to local general practices are set to increase substantially from next week, allowing more people to get the jab.
GP clinics that have been receiving 50 doses of vaccine a week will see that figure triple. Clinics receiving 100 doses a week will now receive 200.
The increase will happen over the next three weeks as new supplies are delivered to more than 110 participating general practices on the North Coast. The change will increase the number of weekly doses offered by general practices to the community from 12,950 to 22,550.
The number of vaccine doses provided to local general practice respiratory clinics (GPRCs) will also increase by several thousand a week.
So far more than 40,000 people have received COVID-19 vaccinations across the region.
Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Julie Sturgess welcomed this week’s Australian Government decision to boost the number of COVID vaccine doses.
‘There has been a great response to the vaccination program, with many people trying to secure a vaccination appointment,” Ms Sturgess said.
‘Close to 10,000 extra doses of COVID-19 vaccine a week will now be offered by GPs across the North Coast, which is great news for our community. Combined with the increased vaccine availability at GPRCs and through NSW Health, we will see people getting vaccinated at the highest rate since the rollout commenced.’
The best way for people to find out when and where they can book in for a vaccination is by using the online Vaccine Eligibility Checker and clinic finder. (Some GP clinics have chosen not to be listed.)
Vaccines and how the vaccine rollout works
Many people don’t fully understand how the rollout works, so we have included this short summary. Links to online resources are included for additional reading.
The Australian Government has implemented a staged rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program. The most vulnerable people in the community are targeted to receive their vaccination first. Details are available here.
There are two different COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Australia – AstraZeneca and Pfizer. In general, the AstraZeneca vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and over and the Pfizer vaccine is recommended for people under 50. Having a vaccine is voluntary and there is no cost.
The vaccines are made differently and are considered safe and effective. For more information, visit:
People in Phase 1a and Phase 1b of the staged rollout are currently being vaccinated. States and territories have begun vaccinating people in Phase 2a, starting with all adults aged 50 years and over. This group can now receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at GP respiratory clinics and state and territory-run clinics, which are mostly hospital-based.
From 17 May, people aged 50 years and over will also be able to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at participating general practices.
Vaccinations are also available at many Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Services and, in coming months, will be delivered from some local pharmacies.
North Coast General Practice Respiratory Clinic locations
Anyone can go to one of these clinics for the jab. You do not need to be an existing patient.
| GPRC | Address | Phone Number |
| Murwillumbah Respiratory Clinic | 14 King Street, Murwillumbah | 02 8188 3797 |
| Casino Respiratory Clinic | 107 Barker Street, Casino | 1800 856 325 |
| Ballina Respiratory Clinic | Tamar Shopping Village, Shop 12, 92 Tamar Street, Ballina | 02 6685 6326 |
| Yamba Respiratory Clinic | 12 Clarence Street, Yamba | 02 5629 7517 |
| Nambucca Valley Respiratory Clinic | 2191 Giinagay Way, Nambucca Heads | 02 6568 8688 |
| Kempsey Respiratory Clinic | 35 Belgrave Street, Kempsey | 1300 170 901 |
| Wauchope Respiratory Clinic | 3 Campbell Street, Wauchope | 02 6585 1388 |
Over 50s can get a COVID-19 jab from today
Vaccine doses to increase across North Coast
Contact for media enquiries
Zoe Satherley (Mon-Wed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0428 623 093
Mike Hely (Wed-Fri)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0437 978 473
Healthy North Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across our region, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and on their journey. We recognise these lands were never ceded and acknowledge the continuation of culture and connection to the land, sky and sea. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Land’s First Peoples and honour the rich diversity of the oldest living cultures.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we live and work, the Bundjalung, Arakwal, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, Githabul, Dunghutti and Birpai Nations, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and future.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
North Coast is identified as the region most likely to be impacted by climate change in Australia and also forecasted greatest growth in those 65+.
Healthy North Coast takes a lead role in ensuring the older population and the sector that supports them are prepared for, can respond to and recover from disasters and other emergencies.
We have led eight regional disaster management capacity building workshops, bringing together SES, community organisations and the aged care sector.
We have also developed disaster preparedness tip sheets for both residential and community aged care providers.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
In May 2022, the NSW Parliament passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. Effective from Tuesday, 28 November 2023, eligible people have the choice to access voluntary assisted dying.
Healthy North Coast has developed a webpage for both health professionals and consumers, with links to available information and resources.
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
Healthy North Coast has worked with people living with dementia, their families and local service providers to develop an information booklet that will help them connect with local and national supports along their journey.
Highly regarded by a range of professional supporting those on or starting the dementia journey, the booklet includes commonly asked questions for people to ask their GP and/or specialist.
“It’s a fantastic resource and I give it to everyone on their first diagnosis. Its easy to read, so well planned and thought through and has lots of really useful information, tailored to the region.
I also find it very helpful when educating clinical staff.”
−Geropsychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Mid North Coast.
The resource is available in digital and printed copies, with more than 5,000 distributed across the region. An e-version is available to clinicians via the Dementia and Cognitive Impairment HealthPathway.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
The Deteriorating Resident Response Tool (DRRT) has been developed to guide RN’s in Residential Aged Care homes (RACHs) to better understand, anticipate and make clinical decisions responding to the deteriorating health of residents.
The objective of the DRRT is to give RACH staff clear information to triage and provide appropriate care for a range of residents’ health conditions, and, in turn, prevent unnecessary presentations to ED.
The tool has been designed together with a specialist geriatrician, consulting with stakeholders such as Residential Aged Care Managers, NSW Ambulance, GPs, and experts from Mid and North Coast LHDs.
The pilot commences in March with four participating RACHs. Evaluation measures will include effectiveness in building RN confidence and reported reduction in unnecessary hospitalisations. Findings will inform a future planned, region-wide implementation.
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
The Care Finders program is a free region-wide service to support vulnerable older people who have no-one else to help them, to learn about, apply for and set up support services.
Care finders can help people understand what aged care services are available, set up an assessment, and find and choose services. They also help people with access to other supports in the community, both accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports.
On the North Coast, Healthy North Coast has commissioned four organisations to provide this important service: EACH, Carexcell, Lifetime Connect and Footprints.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Healthy North Coast commissions two service providers to deliver psychological therapies and supports for older people with, or at risk of developing, a mental illness and who are living in residential aged care homes (RACHs).
The aim of the program is to both provide direct support to residents and their families and carers, as well as upskill the RACH workforce to respond to the needs of residents presenting with mental health concerns.
Strategic Priority Area: Securing a Healthier Future
Delivered by Feros Care, the Healthy Me, Healthy Community program aims to build individual and community connections to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing in Port Macquarie.
The program helps people to connect with community, activities, supports and services that address their broader social determinants of health, as an alternative or supplement to a clinical approach.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety identified several critical areas affecting aged care residents and our health system. Key challenges include:
Telehealth offers valuable opportunities to enhance support for residents living in aged care homes. Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, this initiative provides telehealth equipment and staff training as part of the response to the Royal Commission’s findings.
By improving access to primary care clinicians, specialist services, and other service providers through telehealth, we can significantly enhance health outcomes for residents, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and emergency department visits.
The selection of telehealth equipment was guided by our Healthy Ageing Strategy (HAS), a comprehensive digital discovery questionnaire, and consultation workshops with various stakeholders. These efforts included interviews with residents to understand their attitudes toward telehealth, ensuring the initiative meets their needs and preferences.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Aims to provide people who have life limiting conditions the opportunity to exercise choice and receive high quality care at home, harnessing improved and better coordinated supports and services that meet their individual needs.
Program objectives:
These objectives will contribute to achieving the following intended overarching outcomes of:
Funding is open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.
Workforce Locum support and R&R funding criteria
Wellbeing Flexible Funding Criteria & Eligibility
| *Team Size (Total staff and contractors) | Funding Available |
| Small (1-5) | $500-$1500 |
| Medium (6-20) | $1500-$4000 |
| Large (>20) | $4000-$5000 |
