Premier Steven Miles has announced the priority locations his government will deliver bulk billing GPs, if elected this weekend.
The Miles Labor Government has committed $365 million to establish the 50 clinics across the state.
The move follows the erosion of Medicare services under the former LNP government.
Local hospitals have also recorded a massive uplift in presentations to emergency departments for preventative and chronic conditions that can be managed in communities.
Premier Steven Miles has revealed the priority locations his government will establish bulk billing GP clinics across the state.
He made the announcement at the Local Government Association of Queensland Conference today.
The clinics will be established through a $365 million investment, set to help more GPs provide free healthcare in communities where they are needed.
The priority locations have been informed by areas identified with gaps in bulk billing primary care and rapidly expanding populations.
If elected, it’s expected bulk billing GP clinics will be established in:
Far North Queensland - 5 clinics
North Queensland - 5 clinics
Mackay Isaac Whitsunday - 6 clinics
Central Queensland - 6 clinics
Darling Downs - 4 clinics
Wide Bay Burnett - 5 clinics
Outback Queensland - 7 clinics
SEQ (including Gold Coast, Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan and Sunshine Coast) - 12 clinics
38 of these GP clinics will be delivered regionally, with the remaining 12 throughout South East Queensland.
Many areas in regional Queensland, particularly outback communities like Mount Isa, Richmond, Winton, Emerald and Saint George, have limited or no access to bulk billing GPs.
Here in Mackay Whitsunday, closures to medical centres in places like Bowen, Moranbah and Ayr have seen locals travel to Mackay or Airlie Beach for bulk billing general practice or specialist appointments.
This breakdown is based on priority areas identified as having a low rate of GPs for population. The exact locations for clinics will be informed in consultation with industry and stakeholders.
Additional priority areas could also be considered based on further analysis and consultation.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, seven per cent of people who needed to see GP in 2022-23 delayed or did not see one when needed due to cost – double the amount of the previous 12 months.
This puts pressure on local emergency departments, with greater presentations of worsening chronic conditions that could have been treated earlier at a primary care level.
Between April and June 2024, more than 592,000 people presented at an emergency department across Queensland – representing a 1.4 per cent increase on the same period in 2023.
More doctors, nurses, ambos, hospital beds, bulk billing GPs and satellite hospitals will help alleviate that pressure and improve the health outcomes of Queenslanders.
Those improved health outcomes are at risk if the LNP form government this weekend.
Only a Miles Labor Government will support Queenslanders to have better health care, closer to home.
It’s this Labor government that will build more hospitals, hire and train more health heroes.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“Too many people can’t access a bulk billing GP, especially in regional Queensland.
“What I’m doing is delivering the infrastructure needed to get more GPs working in communities where their services are most needed.
“Today I can announce the priority locations where our 50 GP clinics will be delivered.
“These are areas of high growth, or where the erosion of Medicare has left gaps in the system.
“We will work with the industry and stakeholders on just how many are needed in each area based on the community and predicted growth, because that’s what matters.
“This is about planning for the future of Queensland’s health system in the areas most at need – largely our growing regional hubs.
“That’s why I’m offering a whole of system solution, to deliver more doctors, nurses, ambos and allied health professionals, to build more beds and more hospitals, and bring back community healthcare where it’s needed.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health, Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
“We know too many Queenslanders are delaying essential medical care, simply because they can’t afford it.
“By delivering these GP clinics, we are directly tackling cost-of-living pressures and helping families to stay healthy.”
Quotes attributable to Susan Teder, Labor candidate for Mirani:
“Having a GP clinic here in our region we will alleviate pressure on our busy emergency department and provide more opportunities for locals to access the care they need in the community.”
Quotes attributable to Belinda Hassan, Labor candidate for Mackay:
“I want to thank the Premier for listening to our local Mackay community.
“If elected, I will deliver the health care Mackay locals need, closer to home.
“Only Labor has a plan for better healthcare in Mackay, while the LNP will cut our new satellite hospital and sack health workers.”
Quotes attributable to Bauke Hovinga, Labor candidate for Whitsunday:
“This announcement will make a big difference in our community and it will put locals in control of their healthcare with more choices and better access.
“As a healthcare professional, I know only Labor is doing what matters for our region, and that’s all at risk under the LNP.
“They gutted healthcare services in the region last time David Crisafulli and the LNP were in government, and they will do it again.
“The LNP will take our regions backwards, and we just can’t risk our health under the LNP.”
ENDS