The move to establish “super clinics” remains of concern to those committed to comprehensive primary health care in general practice. Instead the government should invest in existing general practices, with incentives that support team structures; including funding for a practice nurse and priority investment is areas of socio-economic disadvantage and workforce shortage.
Rural Queensland has a serious shortage of GPs and is heavily reliant on advanced nurse care and overseas trained doctors. The solution is for more locally trained GPs to be enabled to practice in these under-doctored areas. Local community involvement is essential to building general practices and primary health care infrastructure tailored to the health needs of the region. Practice models must be flexible and developed to systematically and creatively redress health inequities within local communities. In addition, strategies should include the establishment of virtual teams, especially for rural and remote communities.
GP workforce problems will not be addressed by a handful of “super clinics”. “Super clinics”, where they are established, need to be located initially in the areas of greatest need, and be built around existing local primary care partnerships and collaborations (including Divisions of General Practice and GP Regional Training Providers) and be designed to complement existing practices and services.
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The government should invest in existing general practices, with incentives that support teams structures throughout Australia and in particular, virtual teams should be established especially for rural and remote communities. What we need are networks that build on the good work of general practice.
Australia has developed a general practice system which has come to be regarded as a world leader. Our model, based on whole person, continuing, comprehensive and coordinated care, has produced international benchmark results in longevity, patient GP satisfaction and preventable death rates. Great care must be taken not to dismantle a system which delivers so much and is capable of so much more with the right support.
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About the Author
Assoc Prof Jane Smith MBBS, FRACGP, Grad Dip FM, MHS. Jane is the Honorary Secretary of Council and Chair of the Queensland Faculty. She has worked as a general practitioner in Perth, then Brisbane, and more recently in Nerang on the Gold Coast. She has also been involved in general practice education for many years as a general practice supervisor, lecturer and examiner at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She is currently Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University Medical School. Her special interests include quality care, preventive medicine, skin cancer, evidence based practice and research
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