Information for primary care

Learn key information about COVID-19, influenza and other diseases that may be useful to the primary care context.

COVID-19

For the latest advice, primary healthcare providers should refer to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. For advice on what is happening in Queensland, email COVID19_PC@health.qld.gov.au.

Useful COVID-19 resources

• Queensland HealthPathways sites
  • Queensland HealthPathways
  • Brisbane North
  • Brisbane South
  • Central Queensland
  • Darling Downs
  • Far North Queensland
  • Gold Coast
  • Mackay
  • Sunshine Coast and Gympie
  • Townsville
  • Western Queensland
  • West Moreton
  • Wide Bay
• The Queensland Health asset library
• The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
• RACGP—Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for GPs
• Brisbane South Primary Health Network
• Fever, testing and respiratory clinics in Queensland
• COVID-19 resources (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners)—these resources include guidance on setting up and conducting telehealth consultations, infection control principles, information for patients, clinical care of patients with COVID-19, and supports for GPs providing care for ongoing health issues and advocacy resources.

Accessing HealthPathways

HealthPathways is password protected as it is written as clinical guidance for clinicians, not consumers.

A single access statewide site is available. The generic login and password is available by emailing a request to your local HealthPathways team. A region-specific login and password can also be obtained from the local HealthPathways team, your region’s GP Liaison Officer (GPLO) or Primary Health Network. HealthPathways is a web-based application, so the password can be saved in your browser history.

COVID-19 vaccination

Vaccination referrals

A statewide adult service (based at Metro North Hospital and Health Service) is available for those aged 16 years and over requiring consideration for hospital-based COVID-19 vaccination for those with significant allergies, anaphylaxis or side effects. For more information on allergic conditions that require a referral visit Queensland Adult Specialised Immunisation Service (QASIS).

Similarly, children up to the age of 16 can be referred to the Queensland Specialist Immunisation Service.

More information

• Adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination reporting
• COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Communication Kit for general practices to help general practices communicate to their patients about the COVID-19 vaccination program
• Translated resources for your patients about the vaccines
• Additional patient resources can be downloaded and printed from Queensland Health’s asset library.
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
• Queensland Health—COVID-19 website for primary care
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
• Advice for vaccine providers—Australian Department of Health
• Post-viral illness recovery (including COVID-19) - community-based clinical decision support tool (PDF 511 kB)—this tool was developed to provide specialised guidance to clinicians about allied health and multidisciplinary rehabilitation service utilisation for patients recovering from respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19.
• Post-COVID symptom map (PDF 257 kB)—this resource aims to capture patient symptoms as they present at the time of the assessment and can be used as a post-treatment measure to record progress in the symptoms of most concern to the person. Using the symptom map guides assessment and navigates the assessor to the most appropriate starting point for symptom management.

Influenza

Read our disease and infection prevention information for influenza.

Other clinical guidelines

Queensland Health has clinical guidelines and resources that may be of use to primary care, as well as programs and databases that support access to patient information.

HealthPathways

There are more than 1,000 HealthPathways to assist with the management and referral of conditions presenting to general practice. Each region will be at a different stage of localisation of these resources.

A single-access statewide site is available. The generic login and password is available by emailing a request to your local HealthPathways team. A region-specific login and password can also be obtained from the local HealthPathways team, your region’s GP liaison officer (GPLO) or Primary Health Network.

Queensland General Practice Liaison Network

Visit the Queensland General Practice Liaison website for more information.