The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has commended the South Australian Government on some key health investments in today’s budget including commitment to ADHD GP training and $10 million to support women’s health clinics.
RACGP SA Chair Dr Siân Goodson explained while the Government has taken some important steps towards creating the healthcare system South Australians need, there is still a lot to be done.
“The Government are operating in a tight fiscal environment, but we have seen time and time again that investing in general practice is a sound economic decision which saves money by preventing hospitalisations and detecting and treating diseases early,” Dr Goodson said.
“This budget showed some positive commitments to health including $350,000 to train an additional 100 GPs to diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication, doubling the number of specially trained GPs in SA.
“We also welcomed the $10 million pledged over four years to support five GP clinics establishing specialised women's health services including endometriosis, menopause, fertility, contraception and preventive care.
“However, we are very disappointed that the state continues to apply payroll tax to GPs as every dollar raised by payroll tax on GPs comes out of patients’ pockets.
“We also feel some key opportunities were missed when it comes to bringing more metro GPs to rural areas and supporting international medical graduates to relocate to South Australia.
“With 22 million Australians choosing to visit a specialist GP each year, our profession forms the foundation of the healthcare system.
“Investing in general practice leads to better health outcomes for our state’s population and takes the strain off our hospital systems.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the Government around key general practice priorities for South Australia as outlined in our state election policy platform."
The RACGP’s priorities for general practice in South Australia centre around access, innovation and sustainability. They include recommendations to improve after hours care, to embed metro GPs in rural practices, to establish a Centre for Excellence in Neurodiversity, to fund GP support for children in foster care programs and to support international medical graduates to relocate to South Australia.
“South Australia has less GPs per capita than the national average and our plan will get more GPs living and working in our communities,” Dr Goodson said.
“There has never been a more important time for the South Australian Government to invest in general practice.
“We will continue to advocate for South Australian GPs and their patients to ensure everyone can access high-quality care GP who knows them and their history.”
~ENDS
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