Nurse-led clinics not adequately funded
Queensland Health has advised that a rapid review of its nurse-led walk-in clinics revealed they are not adequately funded to operate during the hours and with the staff announced by the former government.
The email to AMA Queensland in late January stated the model ‘needed to better align with local community need’ and the department has commenced work with HHSs to tailor the services accordingly.
“It has always been our concern that these clinics risk fragmenting patient care and robbing existing primary care services of their essential staff,” AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim said.
“Nurses are an integral part of general practice multidisciplinary teams which are proven to provide the highest quality, best practice care for patients.
“The government’s nurse-led clinics risked impacting our primary care services of nurses and reducing the health care available to patients.
“Precious taxpayer monies must be spent where they are most effective.
“That’s in our general practices which are trusted by patients to keep them healthy and well.
The department advised it will now undertake relevant industrial processes, including consultation on business cases for change, to help the clinics operate within the approved funding envelope.
AMA Queensland will update members as more details are provided by Queensland Health.