RACGP slams ‘misguided’ CBD nurse-run clinic

Questions have been raised about why the Queensland Government has opted to build a new nurse-led walk-in clinic in the busy Brisbane CBD and within walking distance of several other general practices.
 
Instead, RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester says the Government should support regional areas without a local GP, accusing it of breaking promises to improve access to women’s healthcare for people in rural communities.
 
‘Queenslanders should be concerned about the Miles Government’s misguided use of taxpayers’ money,’ Dr Hester 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.’
 
The clinic will be one of four opened by the Government, as part of its Queensland Women and Girls’ Health Strategy 2032, to provide free healthcare.
 
It is scheduled to open on 30 September.
 
Dr Hester pointed out that four general practices already share the same street as the proposed site, while a further 15 are in walking distance of the new clinic’s location.
 
The Government says the clinic will open every day from 8 am to 10 pm and offer treatment for ‘non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses’, which is not listed as gender specific.
 
‘Queenslanders in need will be able to walk-in and receive clinical assessment, treatment, and advice from qualified nursing staff, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse consultants, and clinical nurses,’ its announcement reads.
 
The clinic plan includes ‘trauma-informed and women-focused services’, as well as  support for women’s health concerns and contraception advice, such as emergency contraception.
 
But Dr Hester thinks the ‘focus on women’s health appears to have been minimised’.
 
‘The Government’s announcement puts [women’s health] at the end of a long list of other conditions the clinic will offer treatment for, including common colds, skin conditions and gastro,’ she said.
 
Premier Steven Miles said the clinics will ease pressure on emergency departments and is exactly what ‘women and girls called for’.
 
‘Not only that, but they will also help provide tailored healthcare and support to women closer to home,’ he said.
 
The ACT Government introduced nurse-led urgent care clinics in 2013 but has so far not been able to produce evidence showing that they reduce emergency department presentations.
 
Emails obtained via Freedom of Information last month also revealed massive cost blow outs, with an average cost-per-service of $194, compared to $42.85 for a standard Level B GP consultation.
 
Member for McConnel Grace Grace said the centre, which is the first of its kind in Queensland, is appropriately located.
 
‘Being located in the inner city means it will be easily accessible to anyone, particularly those without private transport, and will be a huge boost to public health services in the area,’ she said.
 
‘Women and girls have told us that quicker, more affordable access to non-emergency care for common conditions such as urinary tract infections and menstrual complication is something they want.’
 
Nonetheless, Dr Hester remains steadfast that the $46 million promised for the clinics isn’t going to where it’s needed most.
 
‘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,’ she said.
 
‘Instead, Brisbane City is getting a walk-in clinic which promises to be costly and offer little value for Queensland patients.
 
‘They fragment care for patients, duplicate services and lead to wastage of public funds.
 
‘This is not the way to do it.’
 
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