RACGP president Nicole Higgins calls on major parties to fund GP infrastructure for natural disasters

They stock vital vaccines for disasters and patient records that are irreplaceable, now they’re calling for government funds to help treat patients outside of hospitals in emergencies.

RACGP President Nicole Higgins runs a practice in Mackay and is calling for governments to fund disaster infrastructure for GPs.

A regional GP who has seen the damage floods can wreak in a doctor’s practice is calling for the next Queensland government to commit funding to help them with crucial disaster infrastructure.

RACGP President Nicole Higgins runs a practice in Mackay, Queensland, and was caught up in the 2008 floods, losing electricity and access to patients’ records.

“Disaster management is part of the GP accreditation standard. Every practice is already prepared for disasters, but we don’t have the infrastructure,” Ms Higgins said.

“When you have no electricity you lose vaccinations. You need tetanus shots in emergencies.”

Premier Steven Miles with Dr Sarah Zatta and Dr Nicole Higgins with the Health minister Shannon Fentiman to announce $40,000 incentives for GPs. Pic Annette Dew

The RACGP wants money on the table committed by both parties for GPs to buy generators and medicine fridges so that doctors can keep their doors open in a disaster.

For Ms Higgins, it’s also a way to keep people out of hospitals and treated with their local doctor to free up hospital beds for people with severe illnesses.

“It’s also what happens after the floods — the days, weeks, months afterwards,” she said.

“It is not uncommon for people whose homes have been impacted to lose their regular scripts or have their medication lost or spoiled.

“People struggle with rebuilding their lives, the mental health load of dealing with insurance companies, and you have people in unsafe living conditions.”

RACGP Health Advocate Dr Bruce Willett pointed out that disasters are only going to get worse.

“The impacts of climate change mean the frequency and severity of these disasters is increasing which makes it even more important that GP practices in at-risk communities are ready — because it is not a matter of if a disaster strikes but when.”

Ms Higgins said GPs will always step up for their communities.

“We just want the next Queensland Government to support us to do this.”