Representatives from the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) will call for greater patient access to treatments for ADHD and severe acne at today's inaugural GPs at Parliament – Health Checks event.
Designed to provide both Members of Parliament and the state's health system with a checkup, the event will see 10 specialist GPs offering health checks to MPs throughout the day, while highlighting the importance of having a regular GP to stay healthy and out of hospital.
The visit will also give GPs the opportunity to advocate for much needed reforms, specifically:
- Permit GPs to diagnose and prescribe appropriate treatment for Victorians living with ADHD
- Allow GPs to prescribe oral isotretinoin to ensure Victorians living with severe acne can access the medicine they need
- End mandatory reporting so GPs can access mental health care without fear of being reported and support their colleagues to access care without having to report them.
RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz said with reform, GPs could take pressure off other parts of the state's health system, improve access and reduce wait times for patients.
"The best way to support our state's health system is for Victoria's 10,000 GPs to be allowed to work to their full scope," she said.
"Today, we're focused on how Victorian MPs can support GPs to improve access to care for people living with ADHD and our patients who need access to medication to manage severe acne.
"Up to 163,000 Victorian children and 320,000 adults may be living in Victoria with ADHD and facing significant barriers to care because of the cost and lack of available specialist appointments.
"Enabling GPs to diagnose, initiate, and manage psychostimulants for ADHD will reduce specialist bottlenecks, improve timely access to treatment and reduce costs for patients, while easing pressure on public hospital outpatient waiting lists."
Patients with severe acne also face long wait times and too often, exorbitant fees. PBS data show Victorians were prescribed 76,000 scripts for isotretinoin for severe acne in the last year.
"If allowed to prescribe this essential medicine for young people and those with severe acne, GPs could be reducing financial barriers and wait times for thousands of patients," Dr Muñoz said.
"Research released this week by the Grattan Institute found 10% of patients referred to public hospital dermatology outpatient clinics wait 60 days for an urgent appointment, more than twice the clinical recommendation, and 167 days for a routine first appointment.
"These long wait times in the public system mean many families cannot afford dermatologist fees of more than $400 per person every six months.
"That same Grattan research found people in the wealthiest communities receive more than double the number of dermatology and psychiatry appointments as people in the poorest communities."
The Victorian GPs will also call for the state's regulators to recognise that GPs should be able to access mental health support without fears that doing so will damage their career or prevent them from practising.
Current laws in Victoria require health practitioners to report GPs who receive mental health care if they believe the issue could impact their work, even if the GP is seeking help.
Dr Muñoz said this discourages GPs from getting support when they need it.
"Laws that discourage GPs from accessing mental health care don't protect patients," she said.
"A Senate report recommended Victoria and other states adopt the same exemptions to mandatory reporting for GPs as Western Australia in 2022. It's time for change."
In a 2023 Australian Journal of General Practice study of health impairment allegations against doctors, respondents said they avoided seeking care. It found regulatory processes caused distress, symptom relapse, suicidality, financial pressures, and work difficulties.
"GPs have the right to receive confidential help and treatment like anyone else, without fear of repercussions," Dr Muñoz said.
"Doctors shouldn't feel they need to hide or deny they need care if they are experiencing significant amounts of stress. Disclosing mental health issues to a colleague shouldn't be a fearful experience.
"It's counterintuitive, it's counterproductive, and it doesn't protect patients when a GP or other doctor is struggling."
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