The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) says the closure of more than 60 GP practices across Australia since 2019 is an immeasurable loss for patients and communities.
RACGP member and media reports reveal more than 60 practices have been forced to close in the past four years, with many blaming low Medicare rebates and not being able to recruit enough GPs. Workforce shortages are also partly a result of consecutive governments underfunding general practice care.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said, "That so many practices have been forced to close because Medicare rebates don't come near the cost of providing care is an immeasurable loss for communities across Australia.
"GPs are the lifeblood of our communities. Everyone needs access to high-quality GP care, when they're sick, and to help them stay well.
"The closure of so many clinics means an increasing number of Australians will struggle to find a GP. Particularly in areas where practices are at capacity and can't take on new patients.
"So much is lost that can't be measured when a community loses a practice and patients have to find another clinic. You can move health records, but not the relationship a patient had with their GP, and the trust and knowledge that GP gained over years of consultations.
"We are in this situation because for decades our elected officials have chosen to strip funding from general practice care and patients' Medicare rebates. And it is hurting those who are most disadvantaged, including people on low incomes who can't afford rising out-of-pocket costs.
"It's yet more evidence that serious reform and funding is needed to ensure everyone can get the care they need from a GP. And so GPs can keep doing the job we love – making a meaningful difference for our patients and communities."
Rebecca Cade, from southwest Sydney, is among those looking for a new GP after her clinic Ingleburn GP informed patients it had made the "tough decision to shut our doors" due to financial viability and lack of GPs.
"Just the thought of trying to bring someone up to speed on 13 years' of complex medical history is overwhelming," said Rebecca, who has an autoimmune disease.
"I've been looking around for a new GP, looking on patient notice boards for who people recommend, but many are not taking on new patients. I've seen half a dozen or so not taking new patients."
Rebecca said it's also getting harder to manage the increasing out-pocket-costs for healthcare services.
"The GP I was seeing was bulk billing, but they changed it towards the end to try to keep the practice going, they started charging a gap fee of $20. I earn enough so I don't qualify for a healthcare card, so by the time I see the specialist and pay for medications, I have nothing left from my pay. Any extra expenses I have to find money from elsewhere."
The RACGP is continuing to call for the federal Government to provide more funding for patient Medicare rebates in the Budget to help patients struggling with increasing out-of-pocket healthcare costs. And for state and territory governments to stop the additional 'sick tax' on general practice which risks many more practices closing.
The college is also calling for long-term reforms to strengthen general practice care and ensure everyone can access high-quality care in the community, no matter their postcode or income.
