Findings from new independent research have confirmed that more than a third of vulnerable minorities in North Queensland – including people with a disability, First Nations people and culturally and linguistically diverse people – have had to go to emergency due to lack of general practitioner (GP) access.
The independent research, commissioned by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, and carried out by independent research firm Insightfully, also reveals that half of North Queenslanders with chronic diseases and conditions often can't see their regular GP, with access problems made even worse by COVID-19.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch Vice President, Amanda Seeto, said that although the findings were confronting, evidence had been mounting for years in support of the Queensland Government's proposed Full Scope of Practice Pilot in North Queensland. The Pilot will enable patients to access much-needed primary healthcare services at their local community pharmacy.
"The research clearly shows that North Queensland patients need better access to primary healthcare," said Ms Seeto.
"The proposed North Queensland Community Pharmacy Pilot will see community pharmacists able to treat patients for common health conditions, such as pain management, ear, nose and throat conditions, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections. In order to take part in the Pilot, community pharmacists would first have to undertake further university post-graduate study, supervised over 12-16 months.
"Nearly four in ten respondents agreed that they were waiting an unacceptable length of time just to secure a GP appointment.
"Alarmingly, more than a quarter of North Queenslander participants have had to visit an emergency department due to lack of GP access, this fact alone places enormous stress on our emergency departments and hospitals," Ms. Seeto said.
"67% of participants did not regularly visit their GP, with 35% visiting less than every six months," said Ms. Seeto, "The reason? Often more than a third are waiting over a week for an appointment.
"Of particular concern are women aged 35-54. Two-thirds of women in this age group are concerned about wait times and have had to go to emergency because they couldn't see a GP," said Ms. Seeto.
"Fortunately, these women have had access to immediate advice and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections for the past 18 months through many participating Queensland community pharmacies.
"According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), community pharmacies are the most frequently accessed and most accessible primary health care destination,1" said Ms. Seeto, "On average, every person visits a community pharmacy 18 times each year, in metropolitan, rural and remote locations2."
"Why should North Queensland patients have to put up with not having access to a GP and be forced to visit emergency departments for non-urgent health issues because of where they live? "There are 1,215 community pharmacies in Queensland3," said Ms. Seeto, "234 of those are located in rural towns, remote and very remote communities, as defined by the Modified Monash Model4.
"Community pharmacists in other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries like Canada, the United Kingdom and parts of New Zealand are able to practice to their full scope.
"This is about healthcare access and ensuring that North Queenslanders have the best patient care – not myths and an ancient turf war."
1PBS Date of Supply, Guild Digest, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/3101.0
2ABS Demographic Statistics, PBS Date of Supply
3The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, CRM GEMM data 9/2/2022
4The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, CRM GEMM data 9/2/2022
