GP body to rally politicians in Canberra

GENERAL practitioners (GPs) from across Australia are heading to Canberra this week urging all political parties to ensure affordable access to care, a move encouraged by Indi MP Helen Haines. Dr Haines has highlighted that it is far too difficult to see a GP or specialist in the region and she hears all the time from people who wait weeks or months to see their GP or must travel long distances to get specialist medical care. A delegation of GPs and patient advocates supported by Australia’s peak GP body, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), will meet with ministers, senators and MPs from all sides of politics. The RACGP reported that despite having a world-class health system, many people in our communities are missing out on essential care. It will be alerting politicians about the nationwide need to train more GPs and back significant investment in Medicare. Dr Haines said the country absolutely needs more doctors, nurses, specialists and allied health workers in North East Victoria so people can get the care they need close to home. "We know that health students who train in rural areas, and are from rural backgrounds, are more likely to take up rural work when they graduate," she said. "We need to provide these local training opportunities - here in Wangaratta we have the Rural Medical School. "That's why I presented the government with a plan to establish a Collaborative Education and Research Centre in Albury-Wodonga and have included it in successive budget submissions for Indi." In relation to Medicare, Dr Haines said we need a clear plan to improve equity of services and meet the challenges unique to regional, rural and remote Australia. RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said specialist GPs are increasingly concerned at what they’re seeing across Australia. “Our delegation of GPs and patient advocates are going to Canberra to talk to all sides of politics about the pressures we’re facing, and our plan to ensure access to affordable GP care for all Australia," Dr Wright said. "More Australians are delaying care due to costs and getting sick from illnesses that could and should be managed by a specialist GP in the community. "Hospitals are clogged, ambulances are ramping, and people are waiting too long for care they need. "General practice care keeps people healthy and reduces pressure on our hospitals and ambulances – all Australians deserve affordable access to GP care." Dr Wright said the upcoming federal election will be held during a cost-of-living crisis, and at a time when the need for general practice care is skyrocketing because of Australia’s ageing population and epidemic of chronic illness. He said now more than ever, Australians need investment in general practice to support access to affordable, high-quality care from GPs they know and trust. “GPs know these problems inside out, and we’re going to Canberra with solutions to make specialist GP care more accessible and more affordable so everyone can get the care they need. “To provide accessible and affordable general practice care for all Australia, we need to train more specialist GPs, and we need significant investment in Medicare. "This is central to the RACGP’s comprehensive plan to get Australia’s world class health system back on track for people today, and future generations. “There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history, and it’s time for political parties to commit to ensuring everyone can access this essential and life-saving care.”