A progressive think-tank has released its report into Queensland healthcare. Bulk billing tops the list of continuing priorities.
Progressive research institute, The McKell Institute has declared the Queensland health system “stronger today than it was 10 years ago before the current government came to power”.
Conveniently released four days before the state election, the report — A Healthy Queensland: A snapshot of the Queensland health sector– said “it was clear from the data that Queensland is performing either at or above average across a number of critical metrics”.
Despite the glowing review, the report acknowledged the increasing pressure on the state’s healthcare system, and the importance of increasing the bulk billing of GP services.
“Increasing bulk-billed GP services will improve access to affordable healthcare, ensuring more people can see a doctor without out-of-pocket costs,” said the report’s authors in its conclusions and recommendations.
“Record population growth in recent years, coupled with a growing and ageing population, coupled with an increase in service usage with less people using private health care is placing a strain on an already fragile system,” said Sarah Mawhinney, executive director of the McKell Institute in the report’s foreword.
“Pressure on the system is building.”
The report’s conclusions made it clear continued good performance was reliant on “overcoming these issues”.
“Queensland Health faces significant challenges in addressing workforce shortages, increasing demand for services, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare across the state,” concluded the report’s authors.
“Overcoming these issues will require strategic investment, innovative solutions, and a commitment to long-term sustainability.
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“This will require ongoing investments in workforce, infrastructure and services to meet demand and keep Queenslanders healthy.
“The Queensland health system is resilient and has continued to deliver world-class health care in the face of the pressures from an ageing population.”
The report made three recommendations:
- Prioritise recruitment and retention of health staff as a separate reporting metric for the department is essential to ensure a sustainable and high-quality healthcare system that can meet the growing demands of the population;
- Ensure long-term funding sustainability by prioritising resource allocation and healthcare innovation that supports the core objectives of the system;
- Increasing bulk-billed GP services will improve access to affordable healthcare, ensuring more people can see a doctor without out-of-pocket costs.
