Queenslanders forced to search for GPs as bulk-billing crisis hits home

New patients trying to access a GP in a major Queensland electorate are being forced to leave the area to find a clinic that will bulk bill, a shocking new report has found.

New patients trying to access a GP in a major Queensland electorate are being forced to leave their area to find a clinic that will bulk bill, a groundbreaking new national report has found.

Cleanbill’s latest Health of the Nation Report, released today, has been described as “shocking”, with only 26.5 per cent of the state’s clinics offering bulk billing for new patients, well below the national average of 35.1 per cent.

People in the Federal electorate of Fairfax on the Sunshine Coast – which takes in towns including Nambour, Maroochydore, Coolum and Eumundi and has a population of nearly 170,000 – are the worst off, with none of the 30 “available clinics” surveyed offering bulk-billing to newcomers.

Residents there are also slugged $82.60 for a standard 15-minute consultation, one of the highest fees in the state, with an out-of-pocket cost of $42.85.

The report shows the true extent of just how hard it is to find an affordable, available GP.

According to the analysis by the online healthcare directory, the electorate of Leichhardt doesn’t fare much better, with only two of 36 “available clinics” bulk billing, both in Cairns. Brisbane, Capricornia, Dawson and Groom each had only three.

Cleanbill founder James Gillespie said the report, which surveyed 6,363 GP clinics across Australia and crunched the numbers in 30 Queensland electorates, revealed “a gaping hole” in the healthcare system.

“This, and it taps into the current national debates around the cost of living and future of healthcare,” Mr Gillespie said.

There are only four electorates in Queensland where the bulk-billing rate is higher than 50 per cent for new patients: Blair (25 of 42 available clinics); Forde (20 of 36); Oxley (21 of 41); and Wright (23 of 40).

AMA Queensland president Maria Boulton said it was “increasingly unaffordable” for GPs to subsidise patients’ care. Picture: Stock.

Mr Gillespie said the free report – available online and also sent to state and federal parliamentarians – would save Queenslanders “doing the hard yards” and shopping around to find bulk-billing or lowest out-of-pocket expenses after the $39.75 Medicare rebate.

AMA Queensland president Maria Boulton said it was “increasingly unaffordable” for GPs to subsidise patients’ care.

“Medicare rebates for patients fall further and further behind the real cost of providing those services, so people are having to pay an increase in gap fees,” Dr Boulton said.

“We are waiting for some action from the Federal Government to support patients accessing medical services and increase their Medicare rebate. We have been advised that no announcement will be made before the budget.”

Dr Boulton said GPs were “essential to their communities” and “having continuity of care with your GP is like having a super drug that helps you stay healthy and out of hospital”.

“Cost of living increases are hitting patients hard,” she said.

“This will only get worse if the Queensland Government starts charging a new patient tax by changing the way it interprets payroll tax for general practices.”