Premier’s $365m bulk-billing bonanza slammed as a ‘fundamental misunderstanding’ of GP pressures

Two top medical associations say they have not been consulted over the Premier’s plan to deliver 50 government-owned bulk-billing clinics, with one saying the government has totally misunderstood the issue.

Dr Nick Yim, president of the AMA Qld. (Image/Josh Woning)

Premier Steven Miles says general Practitioners would be able to apply to move their business into a government-owned clinic to receive free rent under the condition they provide bulk billing services, as part of the new health initiative.

But both the Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) say they were not consulted about today’s announcement, with the AMAQ slamming the plan, labelling it as a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the pressures facing GPs.

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Concerns have been raised over the feasibility of state-owned GP clinics, including the impact on neighbouring private clinics and their necessity against other subsidies like electricity and rent rebates for existing GPs.

“Medicare rebates and bulk billing are largely the responsibility of the federal government,” AMAQ president Dr Nick Yim said.

“However, this announcement is a surprise and I am concerned that governments at all levels do not truly understand the operational costs of a general practice.

“This is another announcement about new infrastructure, not about assisting patients to access their regular GP and practice.”

Dr Yim said GPs were not facing infrastructure shortages, and called on the government to divert the $365m towards saving existing practices.

“We have a workforce shortage,” he said.

“This is a substantial investment that could benefit all Queenslanders, not just those in 50 unspecified locations.

Doctor Ajit Bhalla, Queensland Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman during a visit to the Robina Medical centre. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“It is time to invest in the practices we have now and help them to stay open.”

Speaking to media on Saturday, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the initiative was designed to encourage more practices to set up and industry would be consulted to determine locations across the state with the greatest need for bulk billing GPs.

The tender process would also be open to existing clinics, who could apply to expand or move their business to the new location under a government lease.

“The condition is that they have to bulk bill so existing practices can apply,” she said.

“That means they’ll get their rent free, so do you understand the state government’s lever here is being able to lease and fit out premises and then lease them on the condition that they can bulk bill?

“We can’t do that with a private lease, because we’re not the leaseholder, so to incentivise practices to bulk bill, we have to own the lease.”

Ms Fenitman also claimed she consulted with AMAQ President Dr Nick Yim prior to today’s announcement.

“We had a consultation with the AMAQ about if the state government was going to help incentivise more GP bulk billing appointments … this was one of the ideas that was floated,” she said.

“The feedback from the AMAQ was, we want to be involved and consulted, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

The 50 clinics are forecast to cost $365m, with Ms Fentiman confident all could be operational during the next term of government.

If Labor wins the October election, taxpayers would fork out for the clinics, despite bulk-billing falling under federal responsibility.

The Premier said he had informed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of his “intention” to build the 50 clinics.

“They will continue to provide those bulk billing rebates,” he said.

“What we are doing is acting to deliver the additional infrastructure that will save those practices money and make it more viable for them to bulk bill.”

Asked why Queenslanders should have to subsidise a Commonwealth responsibility, Mr Miles responded, “to get bulk billing”.

“I’ve spent years watching the pressure build on our hospitals while bemoaning the decline of bulk billing when I’m sick of waiting. I wanted a way to step in and fix it,” he said.

“This is the most direct way for us to subsidise accommodation costs.”

Under the plan, GPs would have free rent but tenants would be required to cover ongoing maintenance and staffing costs.

“We’re advised that would make a substantial difference to the business model, so that they can afford to bulk bill,” Mr Miles said.

The RACGP is yet to make a full statement in response to the proposal.

“We welcome the investment in general practice care,” spokesman Dr Bruce Willet said.

“This needs to be done carefully, we do have some concerns about implementation, and we look forward to consulting with the government.”