200,000 extra GP visits a welcome step towards reviving primary care in the ACT
The Primary Care Business Council (PCBC) has welcomed the ACT Opposition's commitment to primary care today, which includes delivering more than 200,000 extra GP appointments each year across the ACT.
PCBC President Dr Ged Foley said the pledge by the Opposition is a step in the right direction and would provide the support the ACT's neglected primary care network desperately needs.
"GPs have been overlooked by the current ACT Government for far too long and it is patients who suffer the most as they end up in overstretched emergency departments or simply go without primary care," Dr Foley said.
"We need to see a significant increase in support for GPs and clinic operators across the ACT, which is why the Opposition's commitment today is a welcome first step in the right direction.
"Bringing GPs into walk-in centres, incentivising after-hours care and initiatives to encourage more GPs to operate in the ACT are all measures the PCBC strongly supports.
"200,000 more GP appointments each year will greatly benefit patients and doctors. These proposals are a no-brainer when it comes to the health of the people of the ACT.
"GP payroll tax is a devastating financial burden to clinic operators, and we commend the Opposition for leading the way in advocating for an exemption for GPs.
"We call on the ACT Government to follow this lead and exempt GPs from a tax that will force clinics to either close their doors or increase fees. This would further impact patients already dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, which is why legislating a payroll tax exemption for GPs would greatly benefit the entire ACT community.
"These initiatives announced by the Opposition today will provide greater access to GPs and take the pressure of emergency departments, making the primary care of everyone in the ACT a priority."
