President and CEO update - August 2023
AMA Queensland advocacy is continuing to pay off for members and the community with sensible decisions on meningococcal B and flu vaccines, more publicly available hospital performance statistics, and more clarity around the payroll tax amnesty.
Payroll tax
AMA Queensland is continuing to advocate for an exemption for GPs from payroll tax, and the Treasurer was asked at least 14 questions at Budget Estimates at the start of August related to our work.
He was asked how many medical practices and doctors would be affected, the total number of amnesty Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted so far, and what modelling has been done on the impact on state hospitals, bulk billing, ambulance call-outs and aged care facilities.
As of 1 August, just 93 of our state’s estimated 1,400 general practices had applied for the amnesty, suggesting many are still awaiting legal and financial advice.
The Treasurer claimed payroll tax for practices for tenant GPs would only affect big corporate medical practices, showing a misunderstanding of the impact on small suburban and regional clinics.
We acknowledge that Queensland is one of only two states to offer an amnesty and a moratorium on audits. The QRO has released a new fact sheet with further details following AMA Queensland concerns that registering for the amnesty may amount to an admission of liability. You can view the factsheet on our campaign website
We are working with our state colleagues to seek a national approach to this new patient tax.
Hospital performance website
The state government has heeded our calls for more transparency around hospital performance and has introduced a new website that provides updates on bed numbers, waiting times and elective surgery lists.
This is a step forward in transparency of government and we urge other states to follow Queensland’s lead.
We can’t improve our healthcare system unless we know how it is performing.
This will be an invaluable resource when the AMA compiles its annual national Public Hospital Report Card.
Media release - Hospital performance website commendable
60-day dispensing
We were pleased to see 60-day dispensing survive a Senate disallowance motion despite a concerted lobbying campaign by some pharmacy groups.
This move will help patients with cost of living, saving them time and money, by allowing them to access a 12-month script from their GP and two months supply, not one, from their pharmacy.
The AMA has been calling for this to be introduced since it was first recommended in 2018 by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), and held meetings with all federal crossbench senators in the lead-up to the 17 August vote.
Meningococcal vaccine
We have been calling for the meningococcal B strain vaccine to be added to the free National Immunisation Program (NIP) for more than six years.
While federal authorities have yet to act, the Queensland government will make it free for infants and older teenagers from next year.
We commend the Queensland government for taking action. It is an anomaly that vaccines for the A,C,W and Y strains are available free but the B strain vaccine is not.
We will be working with the government to ensure a smooth rollout of this vaccine from next year.
Flu rates
Gladstone Hospital has rejected media reports it put respiratory patients in the maternity unit to cope with a lack of beds due to surging flu cases.
However, it is clear that our low vaccination rate is leading to the highest rate of infection in the nation and putting pressure on our hospitals.
We continue to urge Queenslanders to get their flu vaccination. It is safe, it is effective, and it is free.
Council communique
AMA Queensland Council met on 28 July for the first time since our May AGM.
We covered a wide range of topics and approved the formation of two new Working Groups.
Three new Council members
We’re pleased to report that our remaining casual Council vacancies for 2023-24 have been filled by three outstanding doctors.
Infectious diseases specialist Associate Professor Paul Griffin joins us as the Full-Time Salaried Medical Practitioner Representative. Paul is well-known around the nation for his calm and sensible media performances throughout the pandemic and his experience includes public and private hospital practice, research and teaching.
Dr Sandra Hirowatari is a semi-retired GP doing rural locums in Australia and Canada. She joins us as General Practitioner Representative and has a long history of AMA involvement. She is a past AMA WA Councillor and past Chair of the AMA Council of Rural Doctors, and brings a unique perspective to our Council.
Public Health Advanced Trainee Dr Mikaela Seymour is North Area Representative and is a past Deputy Chair of the AMA Queensland CDT and was the AMA Doctor in Training of the Year in 2018. She has worked in the Pacific and Asia in remote and rural primary care and project management, and has been a technical advisor for the Australian Regional Immunisation Alliance.
GP Leadership
The University of Queensland Business School and GPpartners, which represents north Brisbane GPs, recently collaborated to hold the GP Leadership Excellence Program, with the vision of empowering medical experts to lead with confidence and influence in shaping the future of primary healthcare for Queensland.
Dr Boulton and several other AMA Queensland members attended.
It was a fascinating couple of days with speakers covering topics from the personal transformative journey for GP leaders to some of the looming healthcare megatrends and workforce burnout.
