AMA Queensland welcomes the state government’s announcement to provide free flu vaccines to Queenslanders but cautions clear processes are urgently needed.

Professor Chris Perry, AMA Queensland President, said this was an important step to curb what is looking like a deadly flu season.

“I commend the government on being the first state to announce a free flu vaccine program and think it is the right thing to do to protect our community and keep our fragile health system functioning.

Joint Media Release  -  Queensland GP Alliance                                                                                 
GPs say patients must come first, demand respect from government

by Dr Rachele Quested, Radiology Registrar, Co-Deputy Chair, Committee of Doctors in Training

Doctors and patients from around Queensland will share their experiences of the state health system with federal election candidates and party representatives at the AMA Queensland Virtual Town Hall tonight at 7pm.

Latest figures show the urgent need for Queenslanders to see their GP and get their flu shots as soon as possible.

After two years of influenza dormancy due to COVID lockdowns and border closures, 2022 is on a frightening trajectory towards a significant and early flu season.

Neurologist, Epilepsy Specialist, Director, Mater Epilepsy Unit, Group Leader, Mater Research 

Member for three months

Neurologist, Epilepsy Specialist and Medical Researcher Professor Aileen McGonigal has recently arrived in Australia to serve as Director of the Mater Epilepsy Unit and new Mater Research Group Leader. 

Born in Scotland and trained in the UK, Prof McGonigal spent the last 19 years in Marseille, one of the world’s leading centres for epilepsy care, while France has great expertise in epileptology.

Hundreds of patients have needed medical treatment for complications after taking part in a Queensland Government trial allowing pharmacists to diagnose and sell prescriptions for urinary tract infections (UTIs), the only publicly available evaluation of the pilot’s health outcomes has found.

The start of the federal election campaign coincided with unprecedented pressures on our public hospitals, our ambulance service and 000 call operators. At one point, we had almost 600 COVID patients in hospitals, 3,600 Queensland Health and ambulance service staff quarantining as COVID cases or close contacts, and the fourth highest number of 000 calls in one day on record. We remain disappointed that neither major party has yet committed to a 50-50 federal-state split of public hospital funding or to real reform of Medicare.

The AMA Queensland Foundation sincerely thanks Dr Steve Hambleton for giving more than 13 years of service to the Foundation as he steps down from his role as Director. 

Dr Hambleton was President of the AMA Queensland Foundation for more than a decade where he made an incredible impact on Queenslanders in need.