LOCAL Hervey Bay GP Dr Nick Yim has been elected as President of AMA Queensland in a major win for our region.
With an ethos of service above all and a calling to make a difference on a broader scale, Dr Yim has been Vice President and Chair of the Council for the past two years.
Well known throughout the Hervey Bay community, Dr Yim is passionate about all facets of medical care for not only his patients but all patients throughout Queensland. Brisbane born and bred, Dr Yim trained and worked as a pharmacist before entering medicine.
He knows that healthcare is of vital importance to all members of the community, from preventative care to the ability to see your GP on a regular basis if you need it, all the way through to hospital safety, ambulance ramping, the best use of government funds and Medicare reform.
“Serving as Vice President for the past two years has been an immense privilege, allowing me to advocate for both patients and the profession,” Dr Yim said.
“Our community is confronting numerous challenges, including escalating clinical workloads, an aging population, and the ongoing rising cost of living. To address these issues, it is crucial to ensure proper access to specialist services.
“This will enable our patients to receive the necessary care within their local area when they need it most. By prioritising the availability of these services, we can better support the health and well-being of our community.
“Our goal must always be to provide timely, high-quality care that meets the diverse needs of our residents, ensuring they do not have to travel far for essential medical attention.”
Dr Yim will be speaking to the key policy makers at every level of government, lobbying for the right channelling of funds.
“There is a misconception that health in Queensland is a State Government issue, but it is actually all levels of government. From a local government perspective here in Hervey Bay, we can offer preventive health programs, more exercise parks and so on. Local government can also advocate to the State for additional funding.”
“We all know that the State Government is responsible for public health and hospitals. There is always a lot of talk in the media about ambulance ramping, but ramping is a symptom of limited flow through the healthcare system.”
AMA Queensland will closely examine the next state budget and will scrutinise the promises and policies of both political parties in the upcoming months.
“In Australia, we unfortunately tend to have the healthcare system a little backwards.”
“The most expensive portion of healthcare is hospital-based care. Whether it be treating patients for major surgery, cancer, chronic disease, palliative care, the costs are very high and very labour intensive.”
“However, if we can keep people well, they don’t need to access those services. This is where the Federal Government needs to invest in an appropriate primary health care system, they are not doing that, in fact the funding is getting less and less.”
Attracting more doctors into general practice, to live and work in regions like Hervey Bay, will also be a major focus for Dr Yim.
“Growing regional cities and towns require more doctors to meet the healthcare demands of their expanding populations. Attracting doctors to these areas ensures residents can access timely and convenient medical care. To achieve this, the government must implement incentive programs that make relocating to regional communities more appealing for doctors.”
“These programs could include financial incentives, housing assistance, and professional development opportunities.”
“By making it easier for doctors to move to and settle in these regions, the government can improve healthcare access, enhance community health outcomes, and support the sustainable growth of regional cities and towns.”
“I will be doing everything I can, to move the dial for all people in Queensland, when it comes to healthcare.”
In another win for our local region, pioneering breast Cancer specialist Dr Emilia Dauway, a surgical oncologist here in Hervey Bay was elected Vice President of AMA Queensland.
