Beginning May 2022, The Gap State High School will be one of 50 Queensland schools that will have a GP on-site, as part of a pilot program launched in aid of students may who need consultations for their health and wellbeing.
A budget of $100 million has been allocated for this program that will see GP clinics up and running within the 50 school campuses. These clinics are meant to provide timely healthcare that bears no cost to the student’s families.
The Education Department was supposed to have only 20 state secondary schools in the pilot but after asking schools to register their interest to participate, Minister Grace Grace said they were inundated with requests and so they decided to expand coverage to 50 schools.
“[This] will have a positive impact on students’ health, mental health, and their readiness and ability to engage at school, and we want to ensure as many students as possible can benefit,” Ms Grace said.
The 50 schools included in the pilot program are:
- Alexandra Hills State High School
- Beaudesert State High School
- Beenleigh State High School
- Benowa State High School
- Bracken Ridge State High School
- Bremer State High School
- Brisbane South State Secondary College
- Brisbane State High School
- Bundaberg North State High School
- Burnside State High School
- Charleville State High School
- Cunnamulla P-12 State School
- Currumbin Community Special School (P-12)
- Dakabin State High School
- Deception Bay State High School
- Everton Park State High School
- Gladstone State High School
- Goodna Special School (P-12)
- Gordonvale State High School
- Harristown State High School
- Heatley Secondary College
- Helensvale State High School
- Ipswich State High School
- Kilkivan State School (P-10)
- Loganlea State High School
- Mabel Park State High School
- Marsden State High School
- Maryborough State High School
- Merrimac State High School
- Milpera State High School
- Morayfield State High School
- Murgon State High School
- Nambour State College (P-12)
- North Rockhampton State High School
- Park Ridge State High School
- Pine Rivers State High School
- Ravenshoe P-12 State School
- Redcliffe State High School
- Ripley Valley State Secondary College
- Sarina State High School
- Shailer Park State High School
- Spinifex State College
- St George State High School
- Tara Shire State College (P-12)
- The Gap State High School
- Trinity Bay State High School
- Varsity College (P-12)
- Wellington Point State High School
- Western Cape College (P-12)
- Woodridge State High School
However, Australian Medical Association Queensland president Chris Perry said whilst they welcome more access to primary healthcare, he hopes that this initiative will not impact and further overwhelm the “under-resourced” and exacerbate GP shortage problems across Queensland.
The move encompasses an election promise from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who said that there must be a wellness program for every student of the state.
“Every Queenslander deserves to be able to book a doctor’s appointment when they need one. But for many young people, getting in to see a GP is often difficult and expensive,” Palaszczuk said.
“We know that one of the greatest barriers for many young people is the difficulty in finding a GP that bulk bills.
“This will make a difference for thousands of students throughout the state.
“The last 18 months have affected us all. Our students, in particular, have had to overcome great challenges throughout the pandemic. This has undoubtedly had an impact on their health and wellbeing.
“This is an important investment. Delivering quality healthcare and education for all Queenslanders is what good Labor governments do best,” she said.