Good health the hot topic at historic Cairns conference

More than 200 delegates are expected to pump around $500,000 into the Cairns economy when a national health event is held here next month.


Organisers of a national healthcare conference to be staged in Cairns next month hope the event will be good for our health and our local economy.

More than 200 healthcare workers and a high-profile lineup of health speakers will descend on the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino from 9-10 July, boosting the local economy by an estimated $500,000 while they're here.

Hailed as an "historic" event that will bring frontline workers, medical professionals and policy-makers together from across Australia for a two-day interactive program, the myPHN 2016: Connecting General Practice Conference is the first-of-its-kind in Australia.

Local health industry workers are urged to take part in the conference, with registrations starting at just $75.

Key themes of the conference include general practice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical services, allied health, pharmacy, dental and hospital and health services.

Robin Moore, the CEO of the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network, said it was the first time Cairns had welcomed such a wide array of health experts with the goal of connecting expertise and resources to provide better outcomes for patients.

"The conference is all about working together to improve the patient journey, ensuring that patients receive the right care, at the right time, and in the right place," Mr Moore said. 

"We’ve planned an exciting conference which includes pre-conference workshops focusing on key local priorities including methamphetamines addiction, suicide prevention and practice sustainability.

"The plenary sessions will address an array of national and local health and social issues, with inspiring keynote speakers and conference streams on innovation, connected care and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Advance Cairns CEO Kevin Byrne said local tourism and hospitality businesses would benefit from visiting intrastate and interstate delegates.

"At this time of the year, Cairns and northern Queensland is a perfect destination for people to visit and experience our amazing natural wonders, and get a taste of the great North Queensland lifestyle."

Click here for more details about the conference