Everyone needs a GP: MPs receive health checks in Queensland Parliament

GPs took over Queensland Parliament on Tuesday to provide MPs with important health checks.
 
The visits were performed by Chair of RACGP Queensland, Dr Bruce Willett, and RACGP Registrar Representative, Dr Krystyna de Lange.
 
‘It’s really important that the RACGP has a voice within Parliament,’ Dr de Lange told newsGP.
 
‘[It’s important] that we are advocating for the scope of general practice, for the professionalism of general practice and that government bodies are aware of just what we do as GPs – how much value we add to the healthcare system, how much value we add to our patients.’
 
Dr Willett said the visits were also designed to provide much-needed care for time-poor MPs.
 
‘It doesn’t matter which side of politics you support, the health of our MPs impacts all of us,’ Dr Willett said.
 
‘MPs from all sides of Queensland Government work long hours, encounter highly stressful situations and are under immense pressure to improve their communities and keep everyone satisfied.
 
‘The pressure on our MPs may impact their physical and mental health, so receiving preventive healthcare is of the utmost importance.
 
‘Just like all Australians, they must be able to find the time to visit their GP when they need to, and for routine check-ups.’
 
Dr de Lange said the health checks included blood pressure checks, body mass index (BMI) assessments, waist circumference measurements and a type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool.
 
The information gathered will then be communicated back to each MP’s regular GP.
 
‘So we’re certainly not trying to fragment care by doing this, but increase awareness of what GPs do in terms of the preventive health space,’ said Dr de Lange.
 
Dr de Lange was particularly keen to show the MPs how changes such as stopping smoking or lowering blood pressure can reduce their chances of developing cardiovascular disease, impacting not only their own health long term, but also healthcare fund utilisation.
 
‘We want to try and stop people from going to hospital, from having their heart attack, from having their stroke, from having their complications of diabetes, and as GPs we’re the best place in the healthcare sector to be able to do that,’ Dr de Lange said.
 
‘GPs can deliver our patients care outside of the practice or hospital setting, which is one of the many things that makes us unique to other specialties.
 
‘Most GPs have to leave their practice to treat patients with greater needs on a regular basis, including in our patients homes or a nursing home, so we thought it just made sense to add Parliament to the list for a day.’

GP visits health checks MPs parliament Queensland