GPs descend on Parliament House with solutions to improve the health of Australians

GPs from across the nation have come to Canberra to make the case for a health system overhaul to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians this week.    

Some 20 GPs from across Australia will meet with Ministers, Senators and Members of Parliament as part of the delegation supported by Australia’s peak GP body, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP). 

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said Australia’s political leaders need to hear from GPs on the frontline. 

“Australia’s health system is world class, but it faces significant challenges which must be addressed to meet the health needs of patients today, and in the future,” she said. 

“General practice delivers the most cost-effective care, and GPs remain the most visited health professional. 

“Nearly half of all Australians are living with chronic illness, mental health conditions are on the rise, and our population is ageing. People increasingly need complex and ongoing care in the community – they need their GP more than ever.      

“But we are also grappling with a critical shortage of health workers – nurses, pharmacists, psychiatrists, GPs and more. 

“The RACGP has brought a delegation of GPs from across Australia to Canberra so political leaders can hear about the challenges, and solutions from those caring for patients every day on the frontline.   

“Our government needs to invest in Australia’s health workforce to meet growing patient needs. We need enough GPs in every community, and we need to ensure general practice care is affordable for everyone.  

“We are calling for funding and reform in the next Budget to do just this – boost the general practice workforce and improve access to affordable care for all Australians.  

“GPs are the only trained medical specialists in whole-person care, from cradle to grave, which keeps people healthy. Australians, and our health system cannot afford not to have GPs.  

“Our delegation will also be talking to politicians about long-term health reform.  

“Because we must think beyond Budget and election cycles and ensure national health reforms deliver what Australians need – the high-value and cost-effective care GPs provide that helps Australians live healthier and longer, for generations to come.” 

The RACGP is calling for funding and reforms to improve access to affordable care for all Australians and boost the GP workforce in its pre-Budget Submission 2024-25. 

The delegation of GPs is in Canberra from Monday to Wednesday and will meet with Ministers, Senators and parliamentarians of all political stripes. They will attend Question Time, a briefing with the House Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, breakfast with the Parliamentary Friends of General Practice group, and a roundtable on climate change ‘Roundtable: Building Net Zero and Climate-Resilient General Practice’, among other activities.