Prime Minister announces GP Super Clinic

A new $7.5 million GP Super Clinic, servicing Logan and Brisbane’s south side, will help fill health service gaps, particularly for high-need groups.

The facility will be operated by The University of Queensland (UQ) in collaboration with Mater Health Services, Medihealth Meadowbrook and APHS Pharmacy.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon announced the funding on Thursday 5 November at Mater’s South Brisbane campus, as part of the Federal Government’s GP Super Clinic Funding Program. It is the largest grant awarded to date for a super clinic in South East Queensland.

UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Greenfield said the government’s investment would ensure a more sustainable health workforce for these areas, as well as vital patient care.

“UQ and Mater Health Services have been partners for more than 60 years, and have shown that we deliver high-quality health care and excellent education, training and research,” Professor Greenfield said.

The Super Clinic will operate from two facilities—Annerley, expected to open in 2010, and Logan, in the suburb of Meadowbrook, to begin operation in late 2011. It is intended that the majority of services will be bulk-billed.

Several satellite practices from around the region will be linked to the Super Clinic. Around 50 health professionals, including more than 30 GPs, some in part-time positions, are expected to work from the clinic once fully operational.

Mater Health Services Chief Executive Officer, Dr John O’Donnell said Mater was delighted to be working with UQ to deliver the new GP Super Clinic.

UQ’s GP Super Clinic Director, Associate Professor Jared Dart said both sites were planned with local health needs in mind and collaboration with the existing health care community would be important.

“These regions have areas that need more health services. They also have a high number of patients with complex or chronic health issues,” he said.

“These are the most frequent users of health services and the most in need of integrated care.”

Both hubs will provide chronic disease and pain management, mental health, musculoskeletal, palliative care and pharmacy services. Annerley will also offer aged, residential and domiciliary nursing support, while Logan will provide a refugee and disadvantaged person’s service, a maternal and women’s health service, a paediatric and early intervention clinic, and dental services.

Image: Mr Graham Perritt MP, Dr John O’Donnell, Professor Paul Greenfield and The Hon Nicola Roxon MP