GPs are ‘specialists in life’: Health Minister addresses GP24

The Federal Health and Aged Care Minister has used his Ministerial Keynote at GP24 to describe GPs as their ‘patients’ specialist in life’.
 
Mark Butler addressed the Perth conference on Friday morning, using his speech to vow to keep listening to the ‘input and feedback’ of the RACGP and its leaders.
 
‘As GPs, you have a greater impact on your patients, your community and your country than the other procedural specialties because you see your patients month after month, year after year,’ he said.
 
‘You don’t just treat a short-term sickness, you treat a person holistically, right throughout their life.
 
‘You see a child grow into a teenager and then into a young adult, you see them become a parent themselves, and see their kids grow up too, and as you do, you change their lives for the better.’
 
The RACGP’s annual conference officially kicked off on Thursday, with 1600 attendees, including more than 1000 delegates, travelling from across Australia and overseas to attend.
 
Held in Perth, on Whadjuk Noongar Country, the 2024 theme is ‘reimagining healthcare’ and features a long list of presentations on new technologies, AI, mental health, and best practice healthcare.
 
In his address, Minister Butler said the Federal Government ‘recognises GPs as fundamental to the health system and absolutely critical to the health of our country’.
 
‘I came to the position, a little more than two years ago, of Health Minister unapologetically saying that, of all of the pressures in health at that time, and there are many, general practice was my number one priority,’ he said.
 
‘I said this would be a long piece of work that would require continuous effort and investment by Government, and I remain very much committed to that.
 
‘But I also said from the time I became Minister, that investment alone will not be enough to build the stronger Medicare that Australia needs today.
 
‘I’m going to rely very heavily on the college to help navigate the way.’
 
He added that the Government currently has a ‘laser-like focus’ on keeping healthcare affordable.
 
However, these comments come at a time when more patients than ever before are skipping the doctor because they cannot afford it.


Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler giving his Ministerial Keynote at GP24. 

Minister Butler also pointed to the increasing number of new doctors in Australia, and the rising number of GPs entering the specialty.
 
‘Every UK health minister I have spoken to, and in two and a half years I’ve spoken to quite a number, all lovely, they all say, “stop taking our doctors”,’ he said.
 
‘I said, “well, maybe start paying them more than 28 quid an hour, and put on some better weather, and they might not want to come to Australia”.
 
‘But, seriously, more than 17,000 internationally qualified medical practitioners have registered to practise in Australia in the past two years.
 
‘No country can build a health system solely on overseas-educated doctors, it is certainly no substitute for a highly qualified and supported home grown GP training program, but at a time when too many Australians are finding it hard to get into see a GP, in the short term, this influx of new doctors is making it easier.’
 
Finally, Minister Butler congratulated Dr Michael Wright on his new RACGP Presidency, and also thanked former President Dr Nicole Higgins, who he has worked closely with over the last two years.
 
‘It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you – we haven’t always agreed and as you know, one of my great disappointments is I haven’t, yet, convinced you of the merits of the urgent care clinic network program,’ he joked to the audience.
 
‘But beyond that, you have been a terrific advocate for your profession and your specialty, so you should be very proud of your contribution at such a critical time for general practice in your time as President.’
 
Minister Butler also said he has no doubt that Dr Wright will be able to provide him ‘with the sort of frank and fearless advice that I have come to expect from college presidents’.
 
‘I can’t promise that we’re always going to see eye to eye on absolutely everything, though perhaps I might tempt you to visit an urgent care clinic, Michael,’ he said.
 
‘What I can promise, though, is that my door will always be open to you and your membership.
 
‘Open to your advice and open to your views, particularly as we start to walk the path towards a more multidisciplinary, GP-led team-based primary care.’

WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson also addressed the conference on Friday morning, saying that while much has been achieved, there is still more work to be done in the ‘never-ending evolution in health’.
 
‘We want GPs to spend more time with our complex patients, particularly those older adults who need more time with their general practice,’ she said.
 
‘We need to provide change and opportunities for general practice, recognising the changing acuity of our patients, providing earlier opportunities and improving long-term outcomes for patients.
 
‘The RACGP team here in Western Australia are fantastic advocates for primary care, they’re fantastic advocates for the health system, and their advocacy and engagement with Government.’
 
On Friday, day two of the conference included a keynote speech from GP and lifestyle medicine physician Dr Jenny Brockis who spoke about ‘Happy, healthy and fulfilled: Reimagining practitioner wellbeing’.
 
Brisbane GP Dr John Buckley also gave a keynote address, titled ‘Of babies and bathwater: An exploration of innovation and ideas in medical education’.
 
GP24 will continue across Saturday with a number of presentations, with the conference ending with the RACGP WA Fellowship Ceremony.
 
Minister Butler’s full speech is available online.
 
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Department of Health and Aged Care Fellowship GP24 Mark Butler