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RACGP launches Queensland election platform
The college is calling on the next State Government to commit $56 million to incentivise 2000 GPs in training, and to cut red tape.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cath Hester with Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. (Image: Supplied)
The RACGP has released its list of demands for the next Queensland Government, as campaigning for its state election ramps up.
As Queensland residents prepare to head to the polls next month, the RACGP has warned all sides of politics that ignoring GPs and their requests will only worsen the state’s healthcare crisis.
In revealing its 2024 Queensland Election Platform on Friday, the college is calling for the next government to focus on three key areas – growing the GP workforce, cutting red tape, and better listening to GPs.
Specifically to grow and sustain the GP workforce, the college is advocating for:
- $56 million through to 2030 to incentivise 2000 GPs in training
- a commitment for general practice rotations for medical students in the first year of training
- $4.2 million per year to fund disaster resilience grants.
To cut red tape for fast-track access to essential treatments, it is calling for:
- free vaccines for people who have not been immunised or who have not had a booster shot in 10 years
- funding for GPs to expand their role in ADHD diagnosis and management
- allowing GPs to prescribe isotretinoin for people living with severe acne
Finally, in calling on the future government to listen to GPs to create ‘a smarter healthcare system’, the RACGP is calling for:
- ruling out expanding the use of physician assistants
- $2.5 million per year to expand access to general practice in regional Queensland
- establishment of Primary Care Advisory Councils at a cost of $370,000 in year one and then $270,000 each year
- $12 million over three years to develop a Digital Child Health Record
- monitoring and reporting on a new key performance indicator for hospital and health services.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester said the state’s costly healthcare system is already ‘buckling under the strain’.
‘For too long, governments have relied on quick fixes that will only exacerbate labour shortages and increase costs for consumers at every step of their health journey,’ she said.
‘The most cost-effective investment governments can make is in general practice, ensuring that our GPs are supported in keeping Queenslanders healthy and out of hospital.’
The RACGP will soon release a report card grading candidates on their response to the state’s biggest health gaps, with candidates to be measured against how committed they are to supporting the long-term health of Queenslanders.
The election platform also revealed that every year, more than 4.6 million Queenslanders, 83% of the state’s population, visit their GP accessing more than 33 million episodes of care.
There are currently 9258 GPs in the state, 1516 general practices, and more than 1000 GPs in training.
Dr Hester said listening to GPs and supporting the RACGP’s policies would take significant weight off the hospital system, ensuring better access for all Queenslanders.
‘GPs are experts in primary care in the community and preventive healthcare, and are instrumental in helping people stay healthy in the long term,’ she said.
‘There is no substitute for the high-quality care provided by your GP, who knows you and your history.’
The Queensland election will be held on 26 October.
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