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The Federal Health Department has confirmed it will conduct an independent review into tensions between the taxpayer-funded North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and local General Practitioners.
Earlier this month, the North Queensland Doctors Guild asked Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to urgently investigate the organisation, claiming it has a historical disregard for GPs and is operating outside the realms of its own constitution.
Two doctors this month quit the NQPHN board in protest over what they deemed ‘serious conflicts of interest’, particularly relating to its input into a Queensland Health trial which will see local pharmacists prescribing medications for 23 conditions to help relieve a GP shortage.
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Chair Nick Loukas – a pharmacy co-owner - removed himself from the trial's steering committee in February and has also stepped aside from his Chairman's role.
Mr Loukas remains on the board as a director.
The Doctors Guild says that under the organisation’s constitution, at least two board members must be GPs – but now there are none.
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“It appears we are going to be guinea pigs for a trial of inferior health care treatment that the State Government would not dare to start in South-East Queensland," the 72 representatives said in a statement.
“They (NQPHN) signed up to be part of the steering committee overseeing this trial, without declaring their representative is a pharmacy co-owner who potentially stands to make a significant financial benefit from this pilot.”
Tropic Now has contacted CEO of the NQPHN, Robin Whyte, the organisation's Communications Officer Katrina Hughes and former Chair Nick Loukas for comment.
Ms Whyte said she was in a national conference and wasn't available until Thursday.
There has so far been no response from Mr Loukas or Ms Hughes.
Local GPs have also called for a review of contracts awarded to pharmacists by the NQPHN, which invests in primary and preventative health initiatives from Mackay to the Torres Strait.
A Health Department spokesperson has told Tropic Now it will be looking into the organisation.
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“Given the nature of the concerns raised about NQPHN governance and tensions with the general practice community the Department is preparing to conduct an independent review,” they said.
“PHNs are independent, incorporated entities under the Corporations Act 2001.
“They must comply with their obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 and any contractual obligations with the department.
“The Department requires that PHN governance arrangements should reflect best practice corporate governance principles, including accountability through skills-based Boards.”
The spokesperson also said that while the pharmacy prescribing trial is a matter for Queensland Health to determine, it’s not consistent with Commonwealth medicines policy.
Two co-chairs have now been appointed to the NQPHN.
They are Tara Diversi, CEO of digital nutrition platform Sophus Nutrition and Ben Tooth, CEO of Ramsay Health Care’s Cairns facilities.
Main points
- The Federal Health Department will investigate the governance of the North Queensland Primary Health Network
- The North Queensland Doctors Guild has raised concerns over conflicts of interest and a historical disregard for GPs
- Much of the tension centres around a State Government trial allowing pharmacists to prescribe medications
