State Budget: What’s in it for health?

I ATTENDED my first State Budget on 11th June 2024 as AMA Queensland President.

As I entered Queensland Parliament House, there was a sense of anticipation in the air.

The Honourable Cameron Dick presented the budget to key stakeholders prior to the public announcement, it was evident that cost of living, youth crime, housing and health featured quite heavily.

As a doctor, my key interest was the budget for healthcare.  

After a relatively lukewarm Federal health budget, it was pleasing to see investment from the Queensland State Government into healthcare.

There is a growth of 10.6 per cent in operating funding in 2024-25, which is much needed given our growing and aging population.  

There is funding allocated to the tune of $2.167 billion to improve hospital and health infrastructure.

Over $1 billion has put aside to improve flow of patients through our hospitals and to improve bed capacity.  

Whilst this allocation is welcome, we also must ensure that there is an appropriately trained and sufficiently staffed workforce in our healthcare system.

I am happy to report that the Queensland Government has implemented AMA Queensland recommendations to incentivise doctors to train in General Practice.  

$40 000 will be allocated to GP trainees from 2025, which will be a significant boost and allows our state to compete with our southern counterparts.

We require a strong and functional Primary Healthcare sector, this will allow access for patients, to keep patients well and to keep patients out of hospital.  

It is pleasing to see the continued investment into immunisations including: - free Meningococcal B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccines for eligible infants, children and adolescents - continuation of the free influenza vaccination for all Queenslanders

There has been significant funding to increase our health workforce. This includes: - $265.9 million over 4 years to enable recruitment of 188 ambulance operatives and 80 specialised positions
- Additional $158.4 million over 4 years in new funding to focus on supporting and retaining the current workforce Investment is noted in the Women and Girls’ Health Strategy, which is welcome.

However, we need to ensure these programs do not fragment healthcare which ultimately leads to increased costs to the healthcare system.

The devil is in the detail, and we will continue examine this budget. I feel that we require an immediate injection of funds to clear the current logjam of elective surgery, so we’re not constantly chasing our tail.  

This is an election year, and we will be looking at the policies and promises from both sides of politics.

Dr Nick Yim - GP Torquay Doctors