‘We need to know how many doctors the state needs’: New AMAQ president Nick Yim’s question for state government

The new chief of the Australian Medical Association Queensland wants to solve the most pressing challenge in the state’s health system, but says he needs clarity from the government.

Tackling the critical health workforce shortage is the most pressing matter for the newly appointed chief of the Australian Medical Association Queensland.

But the pharmacist turned general practitioner Nick Yim said progress needs clarity from the government who must release exactly how many doctors are needed in the state.

“In the first 100 days in the job I would like to see transparency from Queensland Health. There are challenges. It is difficult to design a workforce plan if we don’t know what we are dealing with,” Dr Yim said.

Dr Yim steps into the shoes of Maria Boulton who steps down on May 24 after two years as the AMAQ president.

Dr Boulton has lead the peak medical body without fear of retribution, taking a strong stance in areas of payroll tax, Covid protocols, surgery wait lists, the pharmacy pilot and the obstetric crisis.

But bolstering the healthcare workforce is an uphill battle as current chronic understaffing takes the shine off the medical profession. Retention is a problem with young doctors reporting gruelling double shifts and burn out.

New Australian Medical Assocation Queensland president Dr Nick Yim. Picture: Josh Woning

Recruitment, retaining and training is the motto the AMAQ is working by for a better future.

Supporting Dr Yim, in his role is Emilia Dauway, a surgical oncologist, who is the newly elected vice president of the AMAQ. Dr Yim was the vice president. Both were elected unopposed.

“What we are hearing from members is that directions and decisions are coming from the top when we should be listening to the people on the frontline. We can’t have the same solution across the board as situations are not the same. We must listen to people on the ground,” the incoming president said.

“Everything comes back to having enough staff on the ground, whether it is surgical delays or waits at the ED,” Dr Dauway said.

“But what doctors want from the medical profession has shifted along with societal changes. The job will not be attractive if new models to suit their lifestyle are not introduced,” she said.

“We already know from research that only 16 per cent of students want to go into general practice, Dr Yim said.

The vice president said that Queensland needs to look at more innovative ways to attract doctors with new work models so that doctors are not working around the clock are burned out and defeated.

“We have to step up our game,” Dr Dauway said.

Dr Emilia Dauway is the new vice president of the AMA Qld. Picture: Josh Woning

The global shortage of doctors means Queensland is competing with the rest of the world to recruit.

“We are already seeing a more hybrid working situation with metro doctors working with the flying surgical or obstetric service where they rotate. It is more permanent that locums, they are under contract and come and go on a regular basis. They bring their skills to the regional and rural areas and often love it. The demand for this in Mt Isa is so high we cannot accommodate every one,” Dr Dauway said.

The medics say they will be working with Queensland Health and the colleges to turn healthcare around.

Dr Yim said that while his presidency begins in an election year it doesn’t not matter to him which party is in leadership.

“We work well with both sides. The AMAQ does not make political donations,” he said.

“AMA Queensland will be looking at next month’s state budget very carefully and scrutinising the promises and policies of both sides of politics over coming months,” Dr Yim said,

Brisbane born and bred, Dr Yim trained and worked as a pharmacist before entering medicine. He works as a GP in Hervey Bay.

Dr Dauway is originally from Los Angeles and splits her worklife between the city and Hervey Bay.