GPs are calling for the Queensland deputy premier to apologise for suggesting they are increasing pressures on EDs by refusing to treat respiratory patients.

Steven Miles claimed on Wednesday that record numbers of ED presentations would only get worse in the coming weeks as COVID-19 and flu cases rose.

“Many GPs are declining to see people with respiratory illnesses sometimes before they can get a COVID-19 test, sometimes not at all, and that is driving lots and lots of people to our EDs,” the former state minister for health told reporters.  

“What we have is an absolute collapse in access to primary healthcare.”