The Round Up: A Rural Health Podcast

Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs
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Welcome to The NQRTH Round Up — where we tackle big health topics from the Outback to the Tropics. Healthcare in northern Queensland is as vast and diverse as the region itself — and The NQRTH Round Up is here to unpack the biggest challenges, innovations and stories shaping regional and rural medicine. Hosted by A/Prof Elissa Hatherly, a Mackay-based GP and medical educator, this podcast dives into the pressing health issues affecting northern Queensland’s communities. Each episode features in-depth conversations with experienced clinicians who share frontline insights on everything from perinatal mental health to voluntary assisted dying—and everything in between. Designed for health professionals, these discussions provide a clear snapshot of key health challenges, their impact on communities, and best-practice approaches to diagnosis and management. Whether you’re a clinician looking to sharpen your expertise or a community member interested in rural health, this podcast delivers valuable knowledge and practical takeaways to enhance patient care. The NQRTH Round Up is a collaborative project between Northern Queensland Hospital and Health Services, regional clinicians, and James Cook University’s Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs. We respectfully acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their contributions to health care, and the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we practise.

  1. #46: Dental Dramas: Practical Tips for Primary Care Providers

    21 APR

    #46: Dental Dramas: Practical Tips for Primary Care Providers

    Dental emergencies can walk into any consult, and knowing what to do in those first moments can make all the difference. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with North Queensland dentist Dr Blake Phibbs about the practical management of common dental presentations, from avulsed teeth to post-extraction infections. Blake breaks down what to do when a tooth is knocked out, including the critical one-hour window for reimplanting adult teeth and why baby teeth should never be reinserted. He also shares simple, real-world tips like temporary stabilisation, appropriate antibiotic use, and how to differentiate between conditions such as dry socket, infection, and pulpitis. The conversation focuses on clear decision-making in time-sensitive situations, especially when immediate dental care is not available. Whether you're in general practice, emergency care, or a rural setting without easy access to a dentist, this episode offers practical, confidence-building guidance for managing dental dramas when they present. Resources: Therapeutic Guidelines – Oral and Dental GuidelinesQueensland Government – Health – Emergency Dental

    23 min
  2. #45: Behind the Wheel: Navigating Driving with Dementia

    22 MAR

    #45: Behind the Wheel: Navigating Driving with Dementia

    Driving is closely tied to independence, especially in regional communities, but what happens when cognitive decline comes into play? In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with geriatrician Professor Eddy Strivens about the complex and often sensitive issue of dementia and driving. Professor Strivens explains that an early dementia diagnosis does not automatically mean stopping driving, but it does require careful, ongoing assessment of memory, judgment, and spatial awareness. He outlines practical tools clinicians can use, from in-clinic cognitive screening to on-road assessments, and discusses the real-world challenges patients face, including cost and access in Far North Queensland. The conversation also explores conditional licensing, early planning, and how to approach these discussions with patients and their families in a way that balances safety with dignity. Whether you’re a GP, training doctor, or part of a multidisciplinary team supporting older patients, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on navigating one of the most challenging aspects of dementia care. Resources: MoCA CognitionAustroads Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelinesAustralian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine Position Statement Driving and Dementia. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 2010, 29: 137-141.Dementia Australia – Driving and dementia

    22 min
  3. #44: Protecting Two Lives: Modern Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy

    18 FEB

    #44: Protecting Two Lives: Modern Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy

    Diabetes in pregnancy is more common than many realise, and the consequences can last a lifetime. In the first episode of 2026 of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with Dr Anna McLean, General Endocrinologist and Clinical Lead for Diabetes in Pregnancy at Cairns Hospital, about the rising prevalence and what it means for clinicians on the ground. With 23% of births in Cairns affected by diabetes, Dr McLean unpacks the spectrum from gestational diabetes to pre-existing type 1 and type 2 diabetes. She outlines practical management strategies — from nutrition therapy and exercise as first-line treatment to appropriate use of metformin and insulin — and explains why early referral, preconception planning, and close monitoring are critical to preventing congenital anomalies, obstetric complications, and long-term metabolic risk for both mother and baby. Whether you provide antenatal care, manage young women with diabetes, or want to strengthen your approach to preconception counselling, this episode delivers clear, evidence-based guidance to start the year strong. Resources: ADIPS: GDM Diagnosis and Screening GuidelinesQueensland Health Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Clinical Guidelines

    31 min
  4. #43: The Diabetes Revolution: What Every Clinician Needs to Know

    03/11/2025

    #43: The Diabetes Revolution: What Every Clinician Needs to Know

    Type 2 diabetes treatment is evolving fast—and the focus has shifted from managing blood sugar to preventing long-term complications early. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with Dr Luke Conway about the major paradigm shifts transforming diabetes care, from early diagnosis and aggressive therapy to the latest in medications and monitoring technologies. Dr Conway explains how modern management now prioritises kidney and heart health, with SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists leading the way. He also explores the expanding role of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), the potential of oral GLP-1s, and what’s on the horizon in diabetes medicine. Whether you regularly manage patients with diabetes or just want to stay across the “tsunami” of new treatments on the way, this episode offers practical, up-to-date insights to support better outcomes in every practice. Resources: Rosenstock, J, et al. Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, in Early Type 2 Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine 393 (2025) 1065-1076.FreeStyle Libre CGMDexcom CGMConway, L. ABC Checklist for Screening in T2D. Diabetes Management Journal May 2023 30-31.National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)NDSS: Australian Type 2 Diabetes Glycaemic Management Algorithm

    36 min
  5. #42: Lifestyle Medicine: Reversing Chronic Disease Through Everyday Choices

    13/10/2025

    #42: Lifestyle Medicine: Reversing Chronic Disease Through Everyday Choices

    What if simple lifestyle changes could help reverse chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease? In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with Dr Sam Manger, GP and Academic Lead for Lifestyle Medicine at James Cook University, about the powerful role of lifestyle medicine in transforming patient outcomes. From food and movement to mind-body health and social connection, Dr Manger explains how addressing the root causes of disease can improve longevity and quality of life. He also shares his personal journey with chronic pain, the evidence behind interventions like yoga and strength training, and the modifiable risk factors that can reduce dementia risk. Whether you’re passionate about preventive care or curious how lifestyle medicine fits into daily practice, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights you can apply with your next patient. Resources: JCU postgraduate courses: Grad Cert, Grad Diploma, and Master in Lifestyle Medicine including social prescribing, health coaching and implementation scienceYouTube: Using lifestyle as medicine: A new era in chronic disease remissionThree-week online microcredential in Lifestyle Medicine and Mental Health: Life and Mind BrainHQThe GP Show

    36 min
  6. #41: Hospital in the Home: Bringing Care to the Patient

    14/09/2025

    #41: Hospital in the Home: Bringing Care to the Patient

    Hospital beds are under pressure across Australia—but what if care could come to the patient instead? In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with Dr David Clark, Hospital in the Home (HITH) consultant, about how this model of care is improving outcomes, reducing costs, and helping patients recover where they feel most comfortable. From post-operative care and infections to heart failure management, Dr Clark explains which patients are suitable for HITH and how remote monitoring, video consults, and nurse-led models deliver safe, high-quality care at home. He also shares insights on GP referrals, building trust in the program, and integrating HITH with services like RaSS and the Geriatric Evaluation and Management program. Whether you’re a GP looking to keep patients out of hospital, or a health professional curious about how virtual care works in practice, this episode offers a practical guide to making HITH part of everyday care. Resources: Hospital in the Home Society AustralasiaHospital in the Home (HITH) - Community HealthPathways MackayRapid Access Clinics and Acute Home Care - Community HealthPathways TownsvilleHospital in the Home (HITH) - Community HealthPathways Far North QueenslandHospital In Your Home - Bringing the Hospital to you

    20 min
  7. #40: Heatwaves, Health, and Climate Change in North Queensland

    18/08/2025

    #40: Heatwaves, Health, and Climate Change in North Queensland

    Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a health issue too. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with Canadian public health practitioner Hannah Mason, who studied at James Cook University, about how rising heat is reshaping health in North Queensland. From a 13% jump in ambulance calls to spikes in ED presentations and hospital admissions, Hannah explains how heatwaves stretch health services, which groups are most vulnerable, and why public health strategies like preparedness planning and community education are critical. She also explores broader climate-linked risks—from disease outbreaks to environmental hazards—and what it means for the future of healthcare. Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, allied health professional, or simply curious about the intersection of climate and health, this episode offers clear, practical insights for protecting patients and communities in a hotter world. Resources: JCU Master of Public Health: https://www.jcu.edu.au/courses/master-of-public-healthMason, HM, et al. The impact of extreme heat on mass-gathering sporting events: Implications for Australia and other countries. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 27 (2024) 515-524.Mason, H, et al. Systematic review of the impact of heatwaves on health service demand in Australia. BMC Health Services Research (2022) 22: 960.Mason, HM, et al. Determining the Impact of Heatwaves on Emergency Ambulance Calls in Queensland: A Retrospective Population-Based Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023), 20, 4875.Franklin, RC, et al. Heatwaves and mortality in Queensland 2010–2019: implications for a homogenous state-wide approach. International Journal of Biometeorology (2023) 67: 503-515.Matthew Agius. Half a year of dangerous heat beckons for parts of Australia in 1.8 degree warmer world. Cosmos Magazine, 26 August 2022.

    23 min
  8. #39: Cancer Care Close to Home – Advances in Radiation Oncology

    22/07/2025

    #39: Cancer Care Close to Home – Advances in Radiation Oncology

    Radiation therapy has come a long way—and for regional and rural patients, the impact is life-changing. In this episode of The Round Up, host A/Prof Elissa Hatherly speaks with Dr Tim Squire, a radiation oncologist based in Townsville, about the cutting-edge developments in cancer care that are improving access, tolerability, and outcomes. From advanced techniques like IMRT and VMAT to hypofractionation that reduces weeks of treatment into just days, Dr Squire explains how modern radiation therapy is more precise, more effective, and easier for patients than ever before. He also shares insights into managing side effects, treating oligometastatic disease, and why radiation remains one of the most cost-effective therapies in the cancer space. Whether you refer cancer patients regularly or want to stay updated on treatment options available in regional centres, this episode delivers a concise and practical overview of where radiation oncology is headed.

    27 min
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About

Welcome to The NQRTH Round Up — where we tackle big health topics from the Outback to the Tropics. Healthcare in northern Queensland is as vast and diverse as the region itself — and The NQRTH Round Up is here to unpack the biggest challenges, innovations and stories shaping regional and rural medicine. Hosted by A/Prof Elissa Hatherly, a Mackay-based GP and medical educator, this podcast dives into the pressing health issues affecting northern Queensland’s communities. Each episode features in-depth conversations with experienced clinicians who share frontline insights on everything from perinatal mental health to voluntary assisted dying—and everything in between. Designed for health professionals, these discussions provide a clear snapshot of key health challenges, their impact on communities, and best-practice approaches to diagnosis and management. Whether you’re a clinician looking to sharpen your expertise or a community member interested in rural health, this podcast delivers valuable knowledge and practical takeaways to enhance patient care. The NQRTH Round Up is a collaborative project between Northern Queensland Hospital and Health Services, regional clinicians, and James Cook University’s Northern Queensland Regional Training Hubs. We respectfully acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their contributions to health care, and the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we practise.

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