Summary

This project aimed to improve the responsiveness of health services to the needs of communities in the North Queensland region.  The primary research question was: How do we best develop and implement integrated place-based planning to the unique contexts of Northern Queensland?

Why is this study needed?

Investing in the health workforce and related improving models of care can serve as a strong economic pillar for sustained prosperity. A healthy community is essential to maintain stable local communities and supporting ongoing regional economic development.

Northern Australia faces common health challenges and service delivery issues, including small, dispersed populations and challenging geographies. Despite this, a lack of coordination in planning and delivery of health services – from community care to primary and hospital care –  results in inefficiencies, duplication, service gaps and suboptimal health and economic outcomes.

This project provided a unique opportunity to unite health industry partners and engage with local communities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service planning and delivery.

How will the study be conducted?

The project was carried out in two distinct phases:

Phase 1 involved synthesising and spatially mapping existing publicly available data to create the Northern Queensland Health Atlas. – an online, interactive map that visually displays population and health data, available health services, and workforce information. Users can select and overlay various indicators to visualise unmet needs or gaps in services and workforce. Explore the Atlas here.

A gap analysis was conducted to develop a broad understanding of unmet health needs in the region. Using a pragmatic approach grounded in health equity principles, a Composite Index of Unmet Need was developed.  This Index included indicators related to known health determinants, current and projected health needs, service requirements, workforce availability, and geographic access.  The Gap Analysis of Health Needs and Services in the Northern Queensland Region Report is available upon request.

The Atlas and Gap Analysis informed stakeholder groups to prioritise communities across the region for engagement in Phase 2’s place-based health planning processes.  Further consultation will be conducted with local stakeholders in the prioritised communities to co-select three to four communities for participation.

Phase 2 will involve co-designing, implementing, and evaluating new or modified models of care with the selected communities. The project’s impacts and outcomes will be assessed in terms of quality of care, efficiency, service provider and consumer satisfaction, and the acceptability and sustainability of the processes.

Expected outcomes

The project delivered measurable improvements in the health and wellbeing of the North Queensland community through more effective, redesigned healthcare delivery. These outcomes were assessed and costed using population-level indicators of physical and mental health across the four localities  involved in co-design, as well as reductions in potentially preventable hospitalisations. Additionally, the project strengthened the capabilities of local service providers and communities to engage in participatory processes aimed at improving care.

The project also contributed to increased gross domestic product in northern Australia through three key mechanisms of economic impact, each of which can be costed:

1. Direct return on investment from place-based planning models that strengthen primary health care. Based on research conducted in the Northern Territory, each $1 invested in primary health care is estimated to generate $4-12 in returns beyond the direct health benefits (Zhao et al., 2014).
2. Healthier populations are more able to participate in the workforce, thereby contributing to increased GDP.
3. Stronger learning health systems attract greater health and research investment to northern Australia, further boosting GDP. According to KPMG (2018) the return on investment from health research in northern Australia is estimated at $3.90 per every $1.00 invested. Based on this, the project’s $2 million investment in the North Queensland setting, could potentially yield a return of $7.8 million.

In addition, this project directly generated and funded 10.6 person-years of employment to conduct the research, with further indirect benefits to the transport, accommodation, hospitality, education and training sectors.