The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) implores Government to urgently invest in building and sustaining the general practice workforce as a national priority following the release of recent figures predicting a crippling crisis to the Western Australian healthcare system.
The independent report, commissioned by Curtin University details Western Australia as having the lowest number of medical practitioners per capita compared with every other state and territory.
RACGP Vice-President and Western Australia Faculty Chair, Adjunct Associate Professor Frank Jones said general practice must be adequately resourced and funded to continue to deliver critical healthcare services to Australian communities.
“Any investment in general practice is an investment into the improved quality and cost effectiveness of the entire Australian healthcare system. A well-resourced general practice profession ensures all Australians will have access to high quality and affordable healthcare services, now and into the future.
“It is well known that general practice provides improved patient outcomes and effectively lowers overall healthcare costs through the delivery of integrated and whole-person care.
“While the figures in Western Australia highlight an alarming regional issue, general practice workforce shortages is an ongoing national crisis that must be addressed,” said A/Prof Jones.
The report also found that despite an increase in the number of medical graduates during 2004–2010, the growth had not kept pace with the rapid population growth in Western Australia.
“Supporting general practice training is a key step to ensuring a sustainable future for the general practice workforce and the communities they serve.
“General practice training is the best way to ensure that all Australians, now and in the future, will have continued access to high quality and affordable healthcare services.
The RACGP is continuing to advocate towards a sustainable and appropriately resourced general practice profession.