Doctors and health professionals from across Central Queensland will gather in Rockhampton this weekend for one of Queensland’s largest regional health conferences.
The 2026 Central Queensland GP Conference will bring together around 130 general practitioners, nurses and health practice managers for a two-day event (August 22-23) to strengthen the region’s primary health system and improve patient care.
The conference is being delivered in collaboration with Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, Hillcrest Rockhampton Private Hospital, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Country to Coast QLD and PHN Central Qld.
More than a dozen local medical specialists will present to the conference on a range on subjects, including mental health, medical imaging, tropical medicine and palliative care.
Dr Muhammad Umer Ihsan, Clinical Director of the Emergency Care Centre at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, will be among seven Mater specialists presenting at the event.
Mater’s private Emergency Care Centre is seeing increase in presentations and currently treats around 27 patients a day.
Dr Ihsan will be advising health practice nurses on when to escalate cases to emergency care.
“I’ll be discussing how nurses can assess and triage acute patients and when they should refer them to emergency care at either Mater or Rockhampton Base Hospital,” Dr Ihsan said.
“This will be the second time I’ve presented at the conference – it’s a great networking opportunity for health professionals across Rockhampton and ultimately that strengthens the care that we all provide to the community.”
Rebecca Loughnan, General Manager of Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, will be among those welcoming attendees at the conference at Rockhampton Leagues Club.
“Mater is very proud to be once again supporting the Central Queensland GP Conference,” Ms Loughnan said.
“Health professionals across the Central Queensland region aim to provide healthcare that is as comprehensive and advanced as the care available anywhere else in the state.
“That’s why it’s so beneficial for GPs, specialists and practice managers and nurses from across the private and public systems to come together and share their knowledge and experience.”
