A new type of paramedic will provide primary care, including in aged care homes, in places with doctor shortages, the Queensland Government says.

The new ‘Remote Hospitals Paramedics’ will take up their new posts from April in areas including Townsville, Mackay, and Cairns and Hinterland, across GP practices, aged care homes and hospitals, Queensland Minister for Health Tim Nicholls says.

Only paramedics with three years’ experience will be eligible, and they must undertake mandatory clinical training set by their state-run Hospital and Health Service, which could include credentialling or training to help them transition to clinic-based work.

Mr Nicholls said the new role was needed because “traditional workforce models” were failing to provide adequate care for remote Queenslanders.