November 13, 2017
Doctors are urging whichever party wins the State Election to deliver a fairer deal for patients and medical professionals regional areas.
AMA Queensland wants all parties to commit to appointing an Assistant Health Minister specifically to address the health needs of regional and remote areas if they win office.
According to AMAQ, there are just 91 doctors working in remote areas of Queensland, each serving almost twice as many patients as their counterparts in Brisbane.
An AMAQ survey of rural, remote and regional area doctors found it takes six to 12 months to fill new vacancies in their health and hospital services.
AMAQ president Dr Bill Boyd said regional and rural patients deserved better.
“The voices of regional doctors and their patients are not being heard in the corridors of power – and that has to change,” Dr Boyd said.
“Appointing an Assistant Health Minister dedicated to regional health should give those areas a powerful champion in government and start to deliver the funding and policies that are needed.”
As well as addressing regional health issues, AMAQ has produced a “Five Point Plan for Better Health” which is asking political parties to improve palliative care, improve the health of doctors, reduce alcohol-fuelled violence and improve the experience of patients.
Specific policies in the document include:
- Preserving Queensland’s new alcohol laws and allowing them to be fully evaluated before considering further legislative changes
- Extending funding for programs to improve the health of doctors so they can better support patients
- Increasing funding for Queensland’s palliative care sector
- Ensuring all pregnant women in the public health system are routinely seen by an obstetrician
“Queensland’s health services are good by international standards but there is much urgent work for the next State Government to do,” Dr Boyd said.
“Our Five Point Plan for Better Health points the way forward for Queensland and we are calling on all candidates to support it.”
