Inala Primary Care is a not-for-profit charitable medical practice in Inala. We strive to provide excellent, patient-focused, and equitable care to an underserved community with complex health needs.
The clinical team includes:
- Ten part-time GPs (mostly salaried and part-time, and including two registrars)
- Six nurses
- Visiting allied health and specialist services
- Two non-dispensing pharmacists
A part-time research officer assists with academic activities such as clinical trials and QI. As a not-for-profit organisation, the practice has a CEO who is heavily driving innovation, evaluation, advocacy and supporting replication of our models of care in other practices. We have a volunteer board drawn from diverse professional backgrounds including healthcare and commerce.
All of this activity is made possible by an extraordinarily talented, committed, and compassionate admin team.
Services Provided at Inala Primary Care
- Medical Consultations: Inala Primary Care operates as a mixed billing practice, where around 90% of consultations are bulk billed due to the high number of health care card holders in the community. Unusually for a practice with this billing structure, most routine consultations are scheduled for 20 minutes. This extended time frame addresses the community’s unique needs, including high rates of medical complexity, multi-morbidity, mental illness, and the frequent need for interpreter services. We estimate about 20% of doctor time is spent with an interpreter. At least 10% of our consultations are delivered with a registered interpreter. Combined with family member translation, we estimate over ¼ of our work is done with translators.
- Chronic disease and preventive care. Chronic disease management is a particular focus of the clinic, with three dedicated nurses preparing management plans and performing reviews and preventive health checks.
- Allied Health: The practice hosts bulk-billed podiatry, physiotherapy, and dietitian services for concession holders.
- Mental Health: A mental health-trained social worker is available to provide support.
- Multicultural Health: The practice also proudly offers health assessments for newly arrived refugees. More than 60% of the practice’s patients trace their origins to countries where English is a second language. The Caxton Service is for elder abuse and multicultural legal supports.
- Social Prescribing: Link workers from Footprints Community Services offer social prescribing services, helping patients overcome social barriers to managing chronic diseases.
- Health Justice Partnership: In collaboration with Caxton Legal Service, the practice provides a free legal clinic focused on elder abuse and multicultural legal supports.
- Specialist Outreach Clinics: The practice hosts the Brisbane Complex Diabetes Service in collaboration with Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The practice is committed to delivering patient-centered, respectful, and holistic care. A clinical governance committee oversees care delivery, aligning with patient needs and the organisation’s values and goals. The practice is also establishing a patient advisory group to formalise community involvement in guiding the service.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Is Inala Primary Care an AMS?
A. No, Inala Primary Care is not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service. While we warmly welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and provide a comprehensive range of services, including health assessments and Closing the Gap, we are not an ACCHO (Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) or AMS (Aboriginal Medical Service). We are located just across the road from the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care, also known as the Inala Indigenous Health Service, which is a Queensland Health service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Is Inala Primary Care part of Queensland Health?
A. No, Inala Primary Care is not part of Queensland Health. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation. While we are located inside a Queensland Health facility, we rent the space from Queensland Health and operate independently as a separate entity, not as a Queensland Health service.
How is Inala Primary Care funded?
A. Similar to most GP clinics, Inala Primary Care is primarily funded through fees for medical services, which are primarily funded by Medicare. Currently, nearly 80% of our revenue comes from the direct provision of medical services, with the remaining revenue roughly evenly split between grants for specific clinics and services, and and revenues from consulting services delivered to PHNs and other practices.
Is Inala Primary Care Bulk-Billing?
A. About 90% of our services are bulk billed. Patients without a health-care card or concession status are charged a gap for standard medical services. Our private fees, when charged, are well below the AMA schedule of fees reflecting our location in a social housing suburb where incomes are constrained even for those who work.
Is Inala Primary Care hiring?
A. Yes, we are looking to expand our team. If you’re curious to learn more, we would love to hear from you. We’re happy to give you a tour of the clinic and have a no-pressure chat about opportunities with us—perhaps over a banh mi from across the road. Feel free to reach out to reception@inalapc.org.au
Does Inala Primary Care take students?
A. Yes, Inala Primary Care regularly hosts medical and nursing students for placements. The feedback we receive from students is overwhelmingly positive. We also welcome medical students seeking elective placements.