GPs in Schools program lacking GPs in some locations

The popular GPs in Schools program is being run by nurses without a doctor in some locations, sparking concern healthcare is being watered down.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland chair Dr Cath Hester

The popular GPs in Schools program is being run by nurses and without a doctor in some locations, sparking concern from top medical bodies that healthcare for hundreds of children is being watered down.

The clinics operate once a week in 50 Queensland schools, but the Department of Education reports that while the program is called GPs in Schools, there are no GPs in four of the clinics.

The program – the brainchild of former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – has proven a godsend for parents as their children can conveniently secure a doctor appointment within school hours as they struggle to find a bulk billing doctor.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland chair Dr Cath Hester said: “It is important young Queenslanders have access to safe, quality healthcare at school.

“However the substitution of GPs for nurse practitioners, who do not have the same highly specialised training, waters down the program’s core purpose.

“If the GPs in Schools program has been using nurse practitioners in place of GPs in certain schools, then students and their families are being short-changed.”

AMAQ president Dr Nick Yim

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Nick Yim praised the investment in primary health care, but was concerned money continued to be thrown at clinics without doctors.

“If the in-school GP clinics are to function as their name suggests, it would make sense for them to be run by GPs who are trained to provide the appropriate care and supported by other health care professionals,” Dr Yim said.

“Nurse practitioners play a crucial role in collaborative, team-based community care.

“We welcome any access to primary care, especially at the moment, but it is important there is clarity around exactly what services are available.”

Dr Yim said consultation must occur with the schools and the health professionals in the region to ensure funds were effectively used.

A Department of Education spokesman said that since the beginning of the program in 2022, the department had worked with a range of organisations to assist with recruitment of GPs for participating schools, including the Primary Health Network and the Hospital and Health Service in the area where each school is located and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

“The department will continue to work with these organisations to secure GPs to provide a service at all 50 participating schools,” he said.