2019 Federal Election
The 2019 Federal Election is just around the corner and the RACGP is calling for a genuine commitment to the health of all Australians through investment in high-quality and accessible general practice services, so patients can see their GP when they need to, not when they can afford to.
General practice is Australia’s most accessed form of healthcare, with nearly 90% of all Australians visiting their GP each year. Despite this, funding for general practice represents only 7.4% of total government health expenditure, including federal, state and local government expenditure.
You can help spread the call to make the health of all Australian’s the priority this election. The RACGP has developed a range of resources to help you do this and questions you can ask your local candidates.
The National Rural Generalist Pathway
RACGP has been working with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Professor Paul Worley, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and other members of the Rural Generalist Taskforce on the development of the National Rural Generalist Pathway.
Last March, the Australian Government announced a $62.2 million 2019–20 Budget investment over four years to fast track the National Rural Generalist Pathway program. Federal Shadow Health Minister, Catherine King MP, committed to honour the funding should Labor be elected to government in the Federal Election.
This is a vital first step towards tackling the shortage of doctors in the bush. I attended the third Rural Health Roundtable on 28 March (pictured: myself with Senator Bridget McKenzie, Prof Paul Worley and The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine's [ACCRM] Marita Cowie) and look forward to ongoing engagement and collaboration with the sector and the elected government to implement the program as quickly and efficiently as possible.
A Rural Generalist Fellowship
The RACGP will launch its own component of the national plan, a Rural Generalist Fellowship, from next year, following consultation with our rural members and GP training organisations.
The Fellowship will be well supported and flexible, allowing junior doctors to enter and exit the training at different stages of their careers. It will be accessible to current GPs who want to acquire new skills or have their existing skills recognised by the RACGP, and to allow practising GPs better address the changing needs of their communities.
RACGP Rural Awards
Nominations are open for our 2019 Rural Awards which recognise outstanding achievements and exceptional individuals for their contribution to rural general practice.
This year, a brand new award will be launched for the Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice (FARGP) Community Project of the Year. This award will be presented to an individual that has completed an innovative project as part of their fellowship within the last 12 months that directly contributed to healthcare improvement in a rural or remote general practice and positively impacted the town’s community.
Nominations are open across all states and territories. Download a nomination form to help promote the important contribution made by rural and remote GPs.