Under-funded Critical Health Services
Critical health services across the region are struggling to meet the needs of regional Australia.
Council’s advocacy position has formed the view that the critical shortages present an unacceptable risk to its communities.
The current model for allocation of medical professionals to rural and remote communities is inadequate.
Current clinical services planning for hospitals and allied health services does not satisfy demand generated by the true population of its communities (i.e. inclusive of permanent non-resident population).
Provision of resources to Isaac region hospitals is inadequate to meet demands and is not sustainable.
The funding methodology needs to change before there are fatal consequences as a direct result of unavailability of critical care. Failure to acknowledge the additional strain on government services and facilities in regional and remote communities created by large non-resident populations means these services and facilities are not adequately or equitably funded to support total population demand.
Currently, the provision of medical, hospital and allied health services in the Isaac Region is not sufficient to service the full-time equivalent population.
In December 2019, Council adopted a Medical and Hospital Services Planning advocacy position in relation to critical shortages of medical, nursing and allied health staffing across the Isaac region. Council’s advocacy position formed the view that the critical shortages experienced presented an unacceptable risk to its communities.
The establishment of the Office of Rural Health by the Queensland Government in late 2019 is the first step in recognising the critical health impacts felt in rural and remote regions, however much more must be done to preserve life and support the needs of our at-risk communities.
The ongoing challenges around access to critical health services has lead one regional Isaac community taking matters in to their own hands. A group of concerned Clermont community members in partnership with industry created the Clermont4Doctors initiative. This initiative is designed to attract multi skilled healthcare professionals to town, promising financial and lifestyle benefits. Click the image below to learn more about this project.
