The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed the election of the Anthony Albanese as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister and congratulated Mark Butler on his appointment as Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Emma McBride as Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health.
RACGP President Adj. Professor Karen Price congratulated the new Labor Government.
“The RACGP already has a robust relationship with the Labor health team, and I hope that it only grows stronger in the years ahead as we work together to boost quality general practice patient services,” she said.
“This is a great opportunity for the new Government to strengthen its commitment to the most cost-effective and frequently accessed part of the nation’s healthcare system – general practice. The Black Summer bushfires, COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine rollout and floods have only reinforced how vital GPs and general practice teams are to their communities when disaster strikes. It’s clear that we are needed by our patients more than ever before.
“Practices across Australia are under enormous pressure delivering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as well as influenza vaccines and routine childhood immunisations, treating patients who have delayed or avoided screenings and consults during the pandemic and helping people with mental health issues. All of this at a time in our nation’s history when we have an ageing population and rising rates of chronic disease.
“So, we have a lot on our plate, and I look forward to working with the new Government to give general practice a much-needed shot in the arm.”
Adj. Professor Price said that the RACGP must be carefully consulted on healthcare policy in the years ahead.
“GPs need to have a seat at the table on all major healthcare decisions and that includes delivering on promises made during the election campaign,” she said.
“The RACGP welcomed Labor’s plan to invest $970 million in general practice care in communities. It is promising that the college is a member of the ‘Strengthening Medicare Fund’ taskforce to be chaired by new Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler - our voice must be heard loud and clear.
“The rural and regional health package announcement also holds tremendous promise. As we said during the campaign - it is positive news that the major parties heeded the RACGP’s calls and promised greater investment in rural and regional general practice, including new funding for junior doctors taking on additional skills. General practice care outside of our cities must be a high priority, and I look forward to working alongside our Rural Chair Dr Michael Clements to offer more support for rural, regional, and remote GPs and general practice teams and the patients they care for every day.”
The RACGP President also urged the new Government to tackle the long-term challenges facing general practice.
“I know that the new Government will need time to take stock of the health portfolio and implement the promises made during the election; however, I also urge them to take on large-scale improvements to Medicare and general practice funding,” she said.
“Australian general practice needs big picture reform to secure the future viability of general practice care. Medicare rebates haven’t kept pace with the cost of providing high-quality care and that must change. Earlier this year, a Senate Committee’s interim report into the provision of general practitioner and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural, and regional Australians recommended the federal Government investigates substantially increasing Medicare rebates for all levels of GP consultations.
“I urge the Government to heed those recommendations and put in place the measures featured in our Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare system. Sophisticated modelling of this vision revealed estimated benefits of a billion dollars in the first year, at a minimum, and at least $5.6 billion over the next five years.
“I also encourage the Government to take a careful look at our Election Statement and invest in the key policy priorities. We are calling for significant reforms to boost general practice care and improve patient health outcomes, including increased Medicare rebates and a new Medicare item for longer consultations lasting more than 60 minutes.
“I look forward to engaging in discussions with the new Government about these reforms, which would significantly enhance patient care in communities across Australia. Together, we can work to transform general practice and ensure no patients are left behind.”
The RACGP Election Statement, Pre-budget submission and submission to the Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan (July and November) all highlight why investment in general practice is more important now than ever before.