Accessing specialists in rural and remote areas

Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program (MSOAP)

MSOAP improves access to medical specialists for people in rural and remote areas of Queensland.

The program increases access to specialist services and ensures that continuous care is organised with local health services (where possible).

Specialist services include:

  • surgery
  • dermatology
  • gastroenterology
  • psychiatry
  • ophthalmology
  • physician services (general, respiratory, adult, endocrinology, etc.).

More information

Search the Outreach Diary for available services

For more information or to make an appointment contact:

  • General Practice Queensland on (07) 3105 8300
  • Department of Health on (07) 3234 0856 or email MSOAP@health.qld.gov.au
  • your local health service or doctor.

MSOAP Indigenous Chronic Disease Program

This program provides treatment to people in rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the following conditions:

  • cancer
  • cardiovascular disease
  • chronic renal (kidney) disease
  • chronic respiratory disease
  • diabetes.

The program combines local services with visiting health professionals to develop an ongoing treatment plan for patients.

More information

Search the Outreach Diary for available services

Contact:

  • General Practice Queensland on (07) 3105 8300
  • Queensland Health on (07) 3234 0856 or email MSOAP@health.qld.gov.au
  • your local health service or doctor.

MSOAP maternity services

This program provides access to high quality maternity services for women and their families in rural and remote communities.

Care is provided before and after the birth of your child and delivered by obstetricians, registered midwives, nurses and child health nurses.

Locations where services are available include:

  • Blackwater
  • Emerald
  • Springsure
  • Hopevale
  • Napranum
  • Charters Towers
  • Charleville
  • Roma
  • Mapoon.

More information

Find out about maternity services

Contact:

  • your local health service or doctor
  • General Practice Queensland on (07) 3105 8300
  • Queensland Health on (07) 3234 0856 or email MSOAP@health.qld.gov.au.

Telehealth

Telehealth allows patients in rural and remote locations to use videoconferencing facilities (TV screen and digital video camera) to speak to and see a health professional from hospitals in Queensland without the need to travel far from home.

For more information:

Rural Health Services Directory

The Rural Health Service Directory allows you to find what outreach health services are available in the following areas:

  • Cairns and Hinterland
  • Cape York
  • South West
  • Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula.

The services offered cover the majority of health issues and concerns.