Workforce incentive relief ‘good news for rural communities’

A government review recommending workforce incentive funding for GPs remains for at least three years is good news, especially for rural communities, says the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP). 

The Government released the final reports of several reviews, including the Review of General Practice Incentives, the Review of After-Hours Primary Care Programs and Policy, and the Working Better for Medicare Review, after the launch of the RACGP’s Health of the Nation report. 

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said: “I’m pleased the review panel listened to the RACGP and recommended maintaining Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) provider funding to consider the evidence for redirecting this funding. 

“Rural GPs across the country rely on this funding to remain viable. It’s why they can keep providing care for patients – this funding works. 

“There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history, and rural Australians deserve nothing less.  

“As the peak body for general practice, representing four-in-five rural GPs, the RACGP knows what rural practices need to remain sustainable and continue serving their communities. 

“Every year, more than 22 million Australians visit their GP for essential healthcare – we have a world-class health system, but it hasn’t been funded properly for decades. 

“This is why Australians are paying more out-of-pocket for healthcare, because patients’ Medicare rebates are nowhere near the real costs of providing care across Australia. And it’s putting pressure on hospitals, because people are delaying care they need due to costs and getting sicker. 

“We can't fix this without continuing to invest in better funding. We’re calling for meaningful investment in patients Medicare rebates to restore access to affordable care and the viability of general practice.  

“We also need more funding to meet the increasing demand for multidisciplinary team care in general practice. Australia has an ageing population and epidemic of chronic illness. This requires GPs to work with other health professionals, including other specialists, nurses, allied health and pharmacists, and coordinate care to get the best results for patients. 

“We need to get this reform right. I’m pleased the review panel recommends ‘deep’ partnership with primary care during the design and the phased implementation of these reforms – this is critical, and the RACGP looks forward to co-designing these incentives to get the best result for general practices and our patients.”