THE Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is doubling down on calls for an urgent funding injection in the May Budget to improve access to GP care.
“We need serious investment in general practice care and long-term reforms that ensure all Australians have access to high-quality care, no matter their postcode or income,” says RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins.
Some recommendations the RACGP urges the federal government to prioritise to address the mounting issue in the health system include reinstating patient rebates for longer phone consults, mental health and GP management plans and tripling bulk billing incentives.
Programs to encourage junior doctors to intern in general practice and a revamp of the current pharmacy ownership and location laws are also urged by the RACGP, in order to boost the GP workforce and improve medicine access.
“I implore our political leaders to stand strong. Bandaid solutions and cheap quick fixes will not work. And frankly nobody deserves second rate care.”