Dental clinic closure prompts law change

The Queensland government has flagged tough new powers for health officials to investigate, and shut down, health facilities which aren't up to standard.

The move was sparked by the closure of a dental clinic in the Brisbane suburb of Carina in December.

The clinic was found to have exposed more than 4000 patients to potential hepatitis C infection due to poor infection management practises.

Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick said the case was rare, but it prompted the government to take action under the Public Health Act.

"Thankfully there aren't many cases where Queenslanders are exposed to the risk of infection, but this case late last year illustrated that we need to have stronger powers to enable Queensland Health to act immediately if necessary," Mr Dick told reporters on Monday.

Currently health inspectors have to give 24 hours notice of an inspection, which the new laws would do away with, as well as beef up existing infection control measures.

Fines for breaching the rules would also be increased to between $121,000 to $365,700, depending on the severity of the breach.

The new laws would apply to hospitals as well as all other facilities providing health services, including dentists, physiotherapists and podiatrists.

Aged care facilities and private hospital wouldn't be covered, but they already face strict testing regimes under other legislation.

The Labor government will introduce the laws to parliament at the next sitting later this month, before they are thrown open to consultation.

Mr Dick defended not simply enacting the laws to protect Queenslanders without having a consultation process.

"I don't think it requires urgent action because people aren't at imminent risk," Mr Dick said.