Date: 2 August 2023
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has provided a submission on the National Health and Climate Strategy. The submission includes feedback on the four proposed objectives of the strategy: measuring emissions, mitigation, adaptation, and health in all policies. The key message is that primary care, and general practice specifically, needs to be more fully included within the strategy. The submission also stresses that while the strategy should take a national approach, it must retain the ability to be tailored to local needs and contexts.
The RACGP also teamed up with 11 other Medical Colleges on a joint statement which calls on the government to ensure that the National Health and Climate Strategy:
- Is fully funded and resourced on an ongoing basis.
- Has National Cabinet sign-off, to enable urgent, coordinated, and effective implementation of the Strategy.
- Is guided by First Nations knowledge and leadership across all aspects of the Strategy through strong partnerships and co-design.
- Builds healthy and climate resilient communities by mobilising sectors outside of the health system to address the wider determinants of health.
Read the submission
Submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care National Health and Climate Strategy (PDF)