RACGP applauds ACT Liberals’ commitment to expand access to essential GP care for Canberrans

The Royal Australian College of GPs applauds the Canberra Liberals’ election commitments to expand access to general practice care in the ACT with a range of measures, including exempting GPs from payroll tax and enabling GPs to prescribe and diagnose ADHD. 

The ACT Liberals announced today that, if elected, they will boost the ACT’s GP workforce by paying up to $100,000 of HECS debt for up to 30 GPs who commit to practice in the ACT for five years. They also committed to deliver better care at walk-in centres, where GPs will work with nurses and fund incentives to support practices to provide after-hours care. 

NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said: “The ACT Liberals’ commitments to expand access to essential GP care will make a real difference for the health and wellbeing of Canberrans. 

“There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you, and your history. It helps us stay healthy and out of hospital. 

“Exempting GPs from payroll tax will help ensure essential GP care is affordable. This extra tax has pushed up out-of-pocket costs at a time when Canberrans are battling the cost-of-living crisis and threatens the very future of general practice care in the ACT. GPs will be very relieved to see ACT political parties supporting this exemption. 

“The RACGP has also been calling for reforms and support for GPs to diagnose and prescribe medications for ADHD. This will improve access to affordable care at a time where 57% of Canberrans report it’s difficult to access a psychiatrist. We are grateful to the ACT Liberals for listening to our calls to improve access to care for these patients. 

“I’m also very pleased to see the commitment to funding GPs to work at the ACT's nurse-led clinics. We know patients gets the best health outcomes when GPs and nurses work together. 

“And I applaud the ACT Liberals’ measures to boost the GP workforce, including paying off HECS debt for GPs to practice in the ACT. As it stands, our national capital has the lowest number of GPs per person of any capital city in Australia – we need to do all we can to grow the GP workforce to meet the increasing need for care. 

“Expanding access to essential GP care will result in a healthier and happier community and reduce pressure on the ACT’s emergency departments and ambulances. This is an investment with big benefits for Canberrans.”