‘GPs are increasingly concerned’: RACGP takes advocacy to Canberra

As Australians prepare to head to the polls in the next few months, independent market research has found cost-of-living and improving health services to be the top concerns for voters.
 
To ensure these are also key priorities for all political parties, the RACGP is heading to Canberra next week.
 
College President Dr Michael Wright, together with a delegation of GPs and patient advocates, will meet with representatives from all sides of politics.  
 
Dr Wright said the plan is to ensure access to affordable GP care for all Australia, no matter their postcode.
 
‘Specialist GPs are increasingly concerned at what we’re seeing across Australia,’ he said.  
 
‘Despite having a world-class health system, many people in our communities are missing out on essential care.
 
‘More Australians are delaying care due to costs and getting sick from illnesses that could and should be managed by a specialist GP in the community. Hospitals are clogged, ambulances are ramping, and people are waiting too long for care they need.
 
‘General practice care keeps people healthy and reduces pressure on our hospitals and ambulances – all Australians deserve affordable access to GP care.’ 
 
According to a national survey released last month, the average out-of-pocket cost to visit a GP has increased by 4.1% nationally to $43.38 over the past year, with the highest out-of-pocket costs in Tasmania ($54.26), the Australian Capital Territory ($51.84) and New South Wales ($44.05).
 
Bulk billing rates have also dropped, with a new report released by the Productivity Commission this month revealing fewer than half of patients are being fully bulk billed for GP services.
 
The impacts of this are seen in the number of Australians delaying care, with data released in 2024 revealing that 7% of people nationwide delayed or did not see a GP in 2022–23 due to cost – up from 3.5% in 2021–22.
 
The stats were even higher in NSW, where 9.5% of residents delayed or avoided a GP visit due to cost, up from 2.8% in 2020, equating to a 246% increase.
 
This is despite data confirming the cost of preventative care and early diagnosis through general practice to be more cost-effective for the Federal Government.
 
According to the Productivity Commission, the average cost of a patient visiting the emergency department costs $692 compared to $82.90 for up to 40 minutes with their GP.
 
Meanwhile, Dr Wright noted that the need for general practice care is only increasing in Australia, putting this down to an ageing population and an ‘epidemic’ of chronic illness.
 
‘Now, more than ever, Australians need investment in general practice to support access to affordable, high-quality care from GPs they know and trust,’ he said.
 
‘GPs know these problems inside out, and we’re going to Canberra with solutions to make specialist GP care more accessible and more affordable so everyone can get the care they need.’
 
Among the solutions being proposed are the need to train more specialist GPs, as well as a significant investment into Medicare. 
 
‘This is central to the RACGP’s comprehensive plan to get Australia’s world class health system back on track for people today, and future generations,’ Dr Wright said. 
 
‘There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history, and it’s time for political parties to commit to ensuring everyone can access this essential and life-saving care.’
 
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