The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) says the Miles Government is overlooking the health of rural and regional Queenslanders after it announced a new nurse-led walk-in clinic in the middle of Brisbane CBD.
Yesterday, the Miles Government announced the first of four new clinics costing taxpayers $46 million will open in Adelaide Street in Brisbane City in September.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester said regional Queenslanders should be concerned.
"Queenslanders should be concerned about the Miles Government's misguided use of taxpayers' money and broken promise to improve access to women's healthcare for people in regional communities," she said.
"This Government promised it would improve access to care for women and girls by establishing free walk-in nurse-led clinics in regions that need it most – that's not the centre of Brisbane. There are already four general practices on Adelaide Street, a further 15 in walking distance, and 50 within three kilometres of the CBD.
"The focus on women's health also appears to have been minimised. The government's announcement puts it at the end of a long list of other conditions the clinic will offer treatment for, including common colds, skin conditions and gastro.
"$46 million is a substantial amount of taxpayers' money. It could have funded the establishment of many GP practices in regional areas of genuine need, where there are no local GPs already established and caring for patients.
"Instead, Brisbane City is getting a walk-in clinic which promises to be costly and offer little value for Queensland patients. A recent media investigation revealed a cost blow-out at similar walk-in nurse clinics in the Australian Capital Territory. They fragment care for patients, duplicate services and lead to wastage of public funds.
"We need to do more to improve access to primary care in Queensland and reduce pressure on our strained hospital system, but this is not the way to do it. I welcome a discussion with Premier Steven Miles about real solutions to improve access to women's health, because no community should miss out, no matter their postcode."
~
