The Queensland government says it has been left to "mop up" market failures after almost 1,100 patients with opioid addiction were left without care when their Brisbane GP abruptly closed.
Dr Stuart Reece was single-handedly treating about 15 per cent of the estimated 7,000 Queenslanders receiving opioid substitution treatment (OST), based on 2020 figures.
But late last year the Medical Board of Australia imposed conditions on his registration, including that he be supervised by another doctor with addiction medicine experience.
With no such doctor available, he had to close the doors of his Highgate Hill practice.
A leaked Queensland Health report has outlined the dire potential social consequences if his patients are unable to find alternative treatment.
The risks to patients unable to continue their treatment include a return to illicit substance use and criminality, contraction of blood borne viruses, significant risks to pregnancy, overdoses and death.
OST can be provided by public clinics, or private prescribers – including medical or nurse practitioners – who have received training and approval from Queensland Health.
The report said state-run clinics have been operating "at or over capacity for many years" and waiting lists are "exponentially increasing daily".
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said Queensland Health is seeking the records for Dr Reece's OST patients to help them.
"Every failing in the primary care sector has a flow on effect to the public health sector," she said.
"We're left to mop up those deficiencies and those market failures."
Call for more opioid treatment funding
On February 21, Queensland Greens MPs Michael Berkman and Amy MacMahon told Ms D'Ath they had been contacted by "multiple health practitioners" raising concerns about the situation.
"There are clear ongoing barriers to private provision of this crucial healthcare service; for example, patients may lack the financial means to pay fees and have difficulty keeping appointments, and practitioners may not have the necessary training to prescribe for OST," the letter said.
The MPs urged the state government to increase funding for public clinics and practitioners who can provide OST.
"We request that the state government consider including this in the upcoming 2023-24 Budget," the letter said.
But Ms D'Ath said the government has already announced a five-year funding package.
"I welcome the Greens playing catch up," she said.
"The fact is we committed to $1.6 billion dollars last year as far as mental health, alcohol and other drugs services, so, you know, if they want to come on board and support our commitment, that's fantastic."
Asked why the conditions were imposed on Dr Reece's registration, a spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Boards said: "Under the National Law, conditions on a practitioner's registration are only applied where a National Board believes they are necessary to ensure public safety."
Dr Reece said he could not give an interview.
He has requested a review of the conditions in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
