Queensland taxpayers are footing the bill for flying doctors as desperation mounts to keep the health system afloat.
Health experts say it’s a “desperate attempt” to brush it off as a bigger problem within the health sector.
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton said the shortage of doctors was due to the “sloppy state” of the health system.
“There was chronic spending on health care by the Morrison government,” Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said. (new)
Boulton pointed the finger at the state government, which has responsibility for health care, but Labor blamed the old federal government.
“There was chronic spending on health care by the Morrison government,” Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said.
“Some of that does fall under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth when it comes to university degrees.”
Entry-level doctors are being offered thousands of dollars a day to fill gaps across the state.
The total bill was over $100 million last year.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said it was “costing the state government money that could be used elsewhere in the health crisis”.
Entry-level doctors are being offered thousands of dollars a day to fill gaps in Queensland. (new)
“When a young doctor chooses to go to a regional area, we make a path to a specialist sooner,” he said.
Toowoomba is currently looking for psychiatrists who are paid $2000 a day. Obstetrics and gynecology consultants can earn slightly more than in Far North Queensland.
Mr Boulton said the problem would not be solved overnight and more commitment was needed to ensure enough doctors were being trained.