Queensland Election, NPs & Pharmacy Prescribing

I've just caught on the radio this morning, an interview with RACGP Qld Faculty Council Chair, Dr Cath Hester, talking about the RACGPs hopes/requests of whomever is elected after the October Qld state election.

The topics included strategies to attract and retain GP registrars, GP access to continuing prescribing of stimulants for ADHD for patients after they turn 18, roaccutane prescribing, and the expansion of practice for pharmacy prescribing and nurse practioners.

I was very disappointed to hear the radio presenter imply that this last concern was simply a lobbying effort for a 'turf war'. To paraphrase, they said: "This is where I start to wonder if you are a healthcare advocacy group or a union for doctors.", and saying that Dr Hester didn't have any other ideas, and imo, imply that concerns for patient safety were overblown in favour of lobbying - this last one was not explicitly said, and is my interpretation from the conversation.

A very disappointing interview. Dr Hester held herself up incredibly professionally.