Virtual forum to provide healthy feedback from Townsville’s GPs
Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson will meet with around 50 General Practitioners in a virtual forum to discuss local doctors’ response to COVID-19 and their needs moving forward.
Northern Australia Primary Health Limited chair Dr Michael Clements and Mr Thompson will be joined by Professor Michael Kidd AM, Principal Medical Advisor to the Department of Health for the online discussion tonight.
Mr Thompson said it was an important opportunity to reflect on the challenges of the past few months and highlight the needs as the community recovers from the coronavirus.
“Our GPs have been at the front line of the response to this pandemic and I want to thank each and every one of them for the hard work they’ve been doing through this very difficult period,” he said.
“GPs have had to completely change the way they look after our community, from implementing extra hygiene and isolation measures in their practices, to the increased use of telehealth.
“Tonight’s forum will be an opportunity for us to listen. I want to hear what’s worked and what hasn’t and listen to ideas from the doctors on the ground about what we need to do better.
“It’s so important to get that feedback directly from our amazing local health professionals so we can respond to their needs, and the needs of the community, as effectively as possible.”
Mr Thompson said it was a coup to have one of Australia’s most preeminent health experts on the panel to answer questions.
“Many locals would recognise Professor Kidd from the TV as part of his role in advising National Cabinet on the response to the coronavirus. We’re extremely lucky to have him join us tonight,” he said.
The Federal Government has made significant investments in general practice during the coronavirus pandemic including the establishment of the Townsville Respiratory Clinic for COVID-19 testing and treatment as well as $669 million to expand Medicare-subsidised telehealth services.
ENDS