RACGP urges political parties to act on climate change

GPs are calling on political parties to address the growing impacts of climate change on health, as Australia moves closer to a Federal Election.
 
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which hit parts of Queensland and New South Wales last week, became the latest example of the damaging and traumatic effects of climate change-driven weather events on communities, the RACGP says.
 
While the worst of the weather has passed, ongoing health risks remain, including infections, difficulty obtaining medicines, contamination of food or water, and mosquito-borne illnesses.
 
The RACGP says GPs play an important role in identifying, reducing and managing the negative health effects of climate change, and must be supported and resourced to do so.
 
It is urging political leaders to address the challenges by fully funding and implementing the National Health and Climate Strategy, which outlines a whole-of-government approach to the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change.
 
Launched by the Federal Government in 2023, the strategy highlights an urgent need to build the climate resilience of communities and the health system, as well as addressing the negative effects on human health and wellbeing, including death, disease, injury, and mental and emotional distress.
 
RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine Chair Dr Catherine Pendrey said GPs play ‘an absolutely critical role’ in supporting communities during disasters, at a time when Australia is seeing more frequent and severe extreme weather events.

‘GPs help vulnerable patients to stay safe, they help people to access critical life-saving medications, they work in evacuation centres and emergency response centres, and they help other emergency services,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘But one of the most prevalent issues that we see is that people with long-term chronic health issues experience deterioration because of the disruption that disasters cause.
 
‘So, supporting patients to manage their long-term health issues during disasters is an absolutely critical role for GPs, and it’s an absolutely critical part of the disaster response.’
 
Dr Pendrey said that is why the Federal Government must ensure Australia has a resilient health system that is prepared to respond to the impacts of climate change, ‘because they’re not going away’.
 
‘Much greater investment is needed, and that needs to be directly into general practice, so that the doctors serving communities on the ground are able to be equipped for the threats that they’re facing from climate change,’ she said.
 
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the college recognises climate change as a global public health emergency, with GPs across Australia seeing its impact on peoples’ health and wellbeing.
 
‘Year after year, Australian communities have been subjected to the damaging and traumatic effects of fires, floods, droughts and storms, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change,’ he said.
 
‘Keeping GPs’ doors open and making sure they are equipped to support communities during these emergencies is vital to protect the health of Australians today and in the future.  
 
‘It is essential that general practice care is accessible and affordable for everyone, especially when disaster strikes.’
 
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