The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is disappointed by the Government’s lack of continued funding for GP Psych Support, a program that provides GPs with critical access to quality patient management advice from a psychiatrist 24 hours a day.
The Government confirmed this week with the RACGP that it will cease funding of the GP Psych Support Program – which has been managed by the RACGP since 2006 – and GP access will be terminated from 7 am (EDST) Thursday 31 October 2013.
Dr Liz Marles, RACGP President, said the RACGP has received extremely positive feedback from users of the service and that GPs view the service as a highly valuable clinical management resource.
“GPs face great difficulty in gaining access to advice from psychiatrist and there is a very serious need for a service that supports GPs to continue their vital work in addressing community health needs.
“With over 71% of patients who have mental illness presenting first to their GP, it is essential that GPs have fast and easy access to evidence based advice from psychiatrists.
“It is disappointing that the Government does not share the same opinion of this vital service as its users,” said Dr Marles.
The RACGP will continue to lobby the Federal Government to review its decision and renew support for GP Psych Support. RACGP Members are strongly encouraged to join the RACGP in its efforts to reinstate this service for GPs by contacting their local Member of Parliament.