Calls for major reform as patients trapped in time-wasting referral cycle
Patients with chronic health conditions are trapped in an expensive and inefficient cycle, repeatedly needing new GP referrals to access specialist care.
The Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) is urgently calling on the next government to commit to reforming referral practices to make specialist healthcare more affordable, accessible and efficient ahead of the upcoming federal election.
Currently, strict referral rules mean patients frequently face expired referrals, sometimes costly GP visits and significant delays in accessing critical specialist care.
CHF calls for both parties to commit to:
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Allowing qualified healthcare professionals beyond GPs to directly refer patients to specialists
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Introducing longer-term or open-ended referrals, reducing unnecessary repeat GP visits
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Increasing Medicare rebates and bulk-billing incentives to ensure specialist care is affordable and accessible
Victorian woman Tess Swift was a competitive volleyball player and nursing student before her life was drastically changed by a mysterious illness. She was diagnosed with a rare parasite after travelling to Thailand, but her journey to diagnosis took seven years.
“You don’t understand how much it costs to be sick,” Tess Swift said.
“We had to go into the private system to get a diagnosis and for management. [The] Financial stress is a lot,” she said.
CHF CEO Dr Elizabeth Deveny said: “Australians are tired of jumping through unnecessary hoops. Requiring repeated GP referrals for ongoing specialist treatment is outdated and burdensome. Reforming this will significantly reduce patient costs, waiting times and ensure greater continuity of care.”
“The least we can do is streamline healthcare processes to better support people facing chronic conditions. These changes aren’t radical - they reflect the realities of modern healthcare needs.”
CHF is urging immediate action to ensure Australians do not continue to face barriers in accessing essential healthcare services due to outdated practices and financial hurdles.
To arrange interviews, please call Kathleen Ferguson on 0421 522 080 or Lauren Ferri on 0422 581 506.
