Funding scheme for GPs welcomed, but government urged to deliver a ‘health budget’ this year
The federal government has announced delivery of an election commitment for GP funding grants, but much more is needed to ensure primary care is sustainable.
The AMA has welcomed the federal government’s announcement of up to $50,000 for GPs to upgrade their digital health capability, upgrade infection and control arrangements and meet accreditation standards.
The funding of $220 million comes under the Strengthening Medicare – General Practice Grants Program.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson thanked the government for delivering on its election commitment to provide the grants, adding that all eyes were now on the federal budget on Tuesday 9 May and announcements to improve patient access to GPs and make primary care more affordable for patients.
AMA Vice President Dr Danielle McMullen was across television and radio earlier in the week calling on the federal government to ensure this year’s budget is a ‘health budget’.
Dr McMullen told Channel 7 Sunrise viewers the “sad fact is that previous governments stripped nearly $4 billion out of Medicare out of general practice alone since the Medicare freeze”.
“What we really need to see is this government put their money where their mouth is. They've been talking a lot about general practice, and we need this budget to be a health budget. We need the Medicare rebate, particularly for longer consultations, to be increased so that patients can get more time with their GP. We need investments in afterhours care and in that team-based care in general practice.”
Speaking on ABC Radio’s Conversation Hour Dr McMullen told listeners again the government needed to deliver on its rhetoric around Medicare and deliver a health budget.
“We need to see some dollars behind all their good words, and we need to see the situation made easier for patients so that doctors can be providing that high quality of care so we can attract more doctors to general practise and so that we can make sure that people have that accessible and affordable care.”
