Victorian GPs will descend on Parliament House today to provide Victorian MPs with advice on fixing the state's ailing healthcare system and health check-ups, including blood pressure, diabetes risk assessment, and mental health screening.
The annual GPs at Parliament – Health Checks event brings GPs representing the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) in Victoria face-to-face with MPs to demonstrate the vital role GPs play in preventive healthcare.
The event provides MPs with the opportunity to receive a quick, confidential health check delivered by a practising Victorian GP, and engages them in meaningful conversation about general practice and the challenges facing the profession and community.
RACGP Victoria Deputy Co-Chair Dr Aadhil Aziz said his key message for MPs will be the importance of general practice in preventive care and chronic disease management that keeps patients – and constituents – out of hospital.
"General practice is the most cost-effective part of our health system, and every $1 investment in general practice delivers a $1.60 return," he said.
"Prevention and early interventions reduce hospital admissions, taking pressure off our emergency departments and hospitals.
"But it's easy to let preventive health fall to the side when we're busy and stressed with work. That's why we're also offering free, quick, confidential health checks with a practising Victorian GP for any MP."
The confidential health checks offered by the GPs will include:
- Blood pressure
- Random blood sugar test
- AUSDRISK diabetes risk assessment
- K10 mental wellbeing screening
- Height, weight, and waist circumference measurement.
Dr Aziz said the GPs will also discuss the priorities GPs have for the upcoming Victorian state election with MPs, such as incentives to support GPs who provide treatment for opioid dependence and GPs who could improve access to severe acne treatment if they were allowed to prescribe isotretinoin (Roaccutane), which can currently only be prescribed by dermatologists.
"As GPs, we want to work to our full scope of practice in collaboration with the wider health system," Dr Aziz said.
"The Victorian Government has recognised this in its commitment to improve our patients' access to ADHD diagnosis and management through reforms and by funding training.
"There's still more we can do, though. We can improve access to timely and affordable care for Victorians living with severe acne, for example.
"Victorians living with severe acne currently face long wait times for very expensive dermatologist care, with fees up to $450 per person every six months to access isotretinoin, a medicine GPs can safely prescribe, as GPs in New Zealand who meet criteria have been doing since 2009.
"An independent report by the Grattan Institute found dermatology is the area most prone what it called 'extreme fees', and that such costs have a significant effect on how often patients delay or avoid care.
"Enabling Victorian GPs to prescribe isotretinoin will reduce financial barriers and wait times for young people and those with severe acne, and it can be done with a simple legislative change that won't cost the Victorian Government or taxpayers a cent.
"As with ADHD, reforms can enable GPs to make the care Victorians need more affordable and accessible."
With the 2026 Victorian election on the horizon, Dr Aziz urged Victorian MPs and candidates to work with GPs.
"The next Victorian Government has a choice," he said.
"It can invest in stronger general practice now, or continue paying much more when patients end up in hospital because they couldn't access care earlier."
RACGP Victorian election priorities
The RACGP is calling on the next Victorian Government to deliver several reforms to strengthen patient access to care. (All quotes attributable to RACGP Victoria Deputy Co-Chair Dr Aadhil Aziz.)
Payroll tax reform for general practice
The RACGP is calling for a full exemption from payroll tax obligations for Victorian general practitioners, in line with WA, Queensland, and Tasmania.
"This will not only protect existing practices and their patients, it will also help to ensure the sustainability of general practice into the future. We want all Victorians to have access to affordable care close to home."
Ensure patient safety in the Chemist Care Now program
The RACGP is deeply concerned about state-based expansions of pharmacy prescribing in retail pharmacies. The next Victorian Government should cease the expansion of the Chemist Care Now program, strengthen training requirements, and commit to a public review of patient outcomes and adverse events.
"This is health-lobbyist led policy that, in many cases, is contrary to the advice of Australia's independent expert health regulators and is not supported by evidence."
Improve access to severe acne treatment
The College is calling for reforms to allow GPs to be able to prescribe oral isotretinoin (Roaccutane) for severe acne.
"Patients should not face lengthy waits and significant costs to access treatment that can be safely delivered by their GP."
Support Victoria's most vulnerable children
The RACGP is calling for funding to cover the cost of medicines for children in foster and kinship care.
"No child should miss out on essential treatment because of financial hardship."
Expand access to addiction treatment
The RACGP is calling for scaled incentives and mentorship support for GPs who provide Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD).
"Supporting more GPs to provide MATOD will improve access to lifesaving treatment and strengthen Victoria's addiction medicine workforce."
Reinstate the Chief General Practice Adviser
The RACGP is calling for the reinstatement of the Chief General Practice Adviser position to ensure general practice expertise is represented within government and health system decision-making.
"GPs are the cornerstone of healthcare and deserve a seat at the table when health policy is developed."
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