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March 27th, 2013 
CLOSING Queensland’s biggest sexual health and HIV clinic is a risky move that could stop vulnerable people from seeking medical help, the state’s peak medical body warns.
The Queensland government will close the Biala clinic in Roma Street, in Brisbane’s CBD, at the end of June.
Acute cases will be treated in hospitals and GPs will most likely cover diagnostics and other services.
AMAQ president Dr Alex Markwell says it’s a dangerous decision to shut down a large specialised sexual health clinic that looks after complex patients.
“It is risky in terms of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases,” she said.
Dr Markwell says most patients are young backpackers, refugees and migrant workers who don’t have a Medicare card.
Other patients include sex workers, transgender people, those who don’t want to use their Medicare cards, and people who don’t want to be identified.
“Closing this clinic will deprive a vulnerable group of people from accessing care,” Dr Markwell said.
“Many may not seek medical help or, potentially, present to emergency departments that are already overwhelmed and cannot provide the specialist care they need.”
Queensland Health’s Metro North Hospital and Health Board, which made the decision to close the clinic, will continue HIV services.
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg told AAP it was the commonwealth’s job to provide sexual health services through the primary healthcare sector under the federal government’s healthcare reforms.
“The state looks after acute services, hospitals and specialist outreach, and the commonwealth looks after primary health care, which is basically GPs and preventative health,” Mr Springborg said.
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