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30
Jul
2021
The NSW Government’s redirection of state supplies of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from rural and regional areas to Year 12 students in Sydney will not affect local GP and Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic allocations, but does reduce the overall supplies currently available to our region
Healthy North Coast is helping to deliver the national COVID-19 vaccination rollout on the North Coast. This includes working closely with the state-run local health districts (LHDs) and frontline health services to ensure the most up-to-date information is shared.
Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Julie Sturgess said Australia’s vaccine rollout had gone through several changes since its launch in February this year.
‘This isn’t surprising given the enormity of the program,’ Ms Sturgess said. ‘The program has had to adapt to new information about the vaccines from authorities like the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), and support our most vulnerable populations, which has included prioritising vaccine supply to outbreak areas.
‘It’s also not surprising that there is some confusion and frustration in our community because of these changes. Our frontline health services and staff are working around the clock to adjust to the changing nature of the rollout, supporting increased testing and vaccinations, as well as continuing to provide non-COVID services.
‘Given the current outbreak in Sydney, it’s appropriate that the program is reviewed and changes made to help protect those most at risk. Despite the temporary reduction in doses this will mean for the North Coast, we, too, continue to prioritise our most vulnerable populations.
‘We’re now working with residential aged care facilities and supporting local initiatives through GPs and the two LHDs in our region to vaccinate aged care staff. We’re also working with our local health district partners to support people who are experiencing homelessness in our region to get their COVID jabs.’
Ms Sturgess said a mobile service commenced in mid-July and this would improve access to COVID-19 vaccinations for hundreds of people sleeping rough. It will travel from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads over the coming weeks.
Healthy North Coast is urging people to stay patient, do the right things to continue to stay COVID-safe, and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
North Coast vaccination rollout — your questions answered
Nearly 171,000 vaccine doses have been administered since the program began – 77% AstraZeneca and 23% Pfizer.
In the past week, a record 12,330 doses have been administered. The number of doses given per week has increased each week over the past month.
The Vaccine Eligibility Checker is still the best way to find out where and when you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. It will help you find a clinic, based on the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) vaccine recommendations.
The Department of Health website has comprehensive, up-to-date information about who can receive the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine.
Use the Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find out when you can receive a vaccine. If you are eligible, you will be able to view vaccination locations and book an appointment.
If you are not yet eligible, you will be able to register your interest so that you can be notified when you are able to book.
People aged 18 to 39 years old can speak to their GP about receiving an AstraZeneca vaccine or book an appointment at a NSW Health vaccination clinic.
There is very strong demand for Pfizer vaccine, exceeding supply both locally and nationally, with up to 3 months waiting time. The Federal Government has committed to an increased Pfizer supply becoming available from mid-September.
Healthy North Coast is helping to coordinate the roll out of vaccines to general practices, Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics and residential aged care facilities.
NSW Health is running vaccination clinics at local hospitals, as well as operating a number of pop-up clinics throughout the region.
A small number of pharmacies in the region will also begin providing AstraZeneca vaccinations for people aged over 60 in the near future.
Two new services providing free confidential support for anxiety, stress and low mood (Mid North Coast)
Identify and avoid pandemic fatigue; find out about COVID-19 financial support
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
We acknowledge 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.
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.
The booklet includes commonly asked questions for people to ask their GP and/or specialist.
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
Timely access to primary health care professionals, whether through face-to-face consultation or telehealth, is recognised as an issue for many Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs), that in some cases can lead to potentially preventable hospitalisations. RACHs require adequate telehealth facilities to support access to virtual consultations for their residents.
Project goals
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 |
