The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has called on whoever wins government in the upcoming federal election to give general practice care a much-needed shot in the arm.
Earlier this year, the RACGP launched its Federal Election Statement that calls for:
· new service incentive payments to improve regular, continuous, and preventive care for older people
· increasing Medicare rebates for patients who need longer appointments with their GP
· retaining telehealth rebates for patients to have longer telehealth consultations with their GP via telephone
· a new service incentive payment for patients with mental health issues that supports the grouping of a services including a GP mental health treatment plan and a physical health assessment
· a new service incentive payment for people living with disability that provides for a health assessment and completion of National Disability Insurance Scheme reports and documentation
· introducing additional support for GPs to see their patient within seven days of an unplanned hospital admission or emergency department presentation
· greater investment in rural healthcare including increasing Workforce Incentive Programs with additional payments for GPs who use advanced skills in rural areas and providing access to the relevant specialty Medicare Benefits Schedule items when a GP holds advanced skills in areas such as mental health or paediatrics
RACGP President Adj. Professor Karen Price said that it was time for general practice to feature front and centre in a federal election campaign.
"Too often GPs and general practice teams are taken for granted and that must change," she said.
"GPs, practice managers, nurses, receptionists and administrative workers are needed now by their communities more than ever before. We are flat out caring for COVID-19 positive patients, delivering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as well as influenza vaccines, caring for people who have delayed or avoided consultations and screenings during the pandemic, as well as helping patients with mental health concerns exacerbated by lockdowns and other pandemic-related stresses.
"Before the pandemic we were already facing a looming mental health crisis, rising rates of chronic disease and an ageing population. We urgently need to fix the cracks in our health system and ensure everyone can access the care they need.
"Earlier this year we released our Election Statement, which outlined a series of timely reforms that would not only make the nation's health system more efficient but also significantly improve long-term patient health outcomes. These reforms would save the health system at least $1 billion within a year and benefit patients in communities right across Australia. Everyone deserves access to high-quality general practice care, no matter their postcode.
"As the Opposition Leader outlined in his Budget in Reply speech, it's vital that we do more to care for older Australians. Something that would make a real difference is a new service incentive payment, or SIP, that helps support the provision of a grouping of preventative care services including a health assessment for older Australians and a frailty assessment.
"Recently, a Senate Committee's
