The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed the release and findings of the ANZ - Melbourne Institute Health Sector Report, which recognises the significant challenges faced by Australian general practitioners.
President of the RACGP Dr Bastian Seidel said the report provided strong evidence for the need to support general practice as the foundation of Australian health care.
“General practitioners are playing an increasingly crucial role in the health care sector, yet GPs and their patients have been shaken, stirred, turned inside-out and put in the freezer,” Dr Seidel said.
Dr Seidel said the RACGP had been highlighting the impact of the erosion of funding, such as the Medicare Benefits Freeze, on general practice.
“It is time for politicians and policy makers to stop unfairly targeting GPs and instead support us for the crucial role we play in Australians’ lives.
“GPs are an easy target for political decision makers, and the RACGP has long called for an end to the Medicare rebate freeze, which is putting immense pressure on general practice.
“If visits to the GP are not funded properly, and GP job satisfaction is low, that impacts on our patients.”
Dr Seidel said far more needs to be done to improve GP job satisfaction and the uptake of the profession.
“General practice never gets the limelight,” Dr Seidel said.
“It costs thousands of dollars to treat a patient in hospital. But it costs just $37.50 for a GP consult that may prevent a heart attack through a blood pressure check. Despite this, attention often falls on treatment rather than prevention.”
“It is therefore no surprise the uptake of general practice is slow compared to other specialties.”
“GPs are the doctors of first and last resort. We provide continuous and comprehensive care for our patients and value every minute we spend with our patients.”
Dr Seidel will discuss the job satisfaction findings at the Sydney launch of the ANZ - Melbourne Institute Health Sector Reportat Le Montage in Lilyfield tonight.