Submission
Inquiry into Provision of Primary Care and the Health System
AMA Queensland provides feedback on the Inquiry into the provision of primary, allied and private health care, aged care and NDIS care services and its impact on the Queensland public health system.
AMA Queensland will only be commenting on the primary care section of the inquiry.
- Impact of COVID-19 on primary care
The COVID pandemic has seen a rise in medical presentations to primary care, particularly mental health. The provision of COVID vaccines, the continuing poor access to PPE and the increase in chronic disease in the community has resulted in primary care being overstretched. - The impact of the MBS and bulk billing policies on primary care
AMA Queensland believes the MBS needs to be simplified and the rebates reviewed. AMA Queensland is calling the for level of red tape and beaurocracy involved in GP practices to be reduced so doctors can focus on providing medical care. - The Commonwealth Distribution Priority Areas for doctors and medical training places at Queensland universities
While AMA Queensland congratulates the Federal Government for the recent incentive program to attract doctor to rural communities, more needs to be done to address the workforce shortages.