A better vision for primary health care

Political campaigning in the lead up to this year’s Federal election is well underway and, as always, health care is a key election issue, with a spotlight on how many Australians don’t have access to a general practitioner.

We believe that primary health care has suffered the impacts of inadequate funding and service innovation for too long; we are calling on the next government to increase investment in primary health care in real terms, and to articulate its plan for the future.

Australia needs a better vision for primary care, otherwise we will be unable to attract more junior doctors to the GP profession. A future without GPs will have a long impact on the health of all Australians.

It is GPRAs view that getting GP training right will help ensure there is a future supply of qualified GPs for all communities to access for their healthcare.

Our aim is to highlight the most pressing concerns the next generation of general practitioners face. On the eve of the Federal Budget (29 March), and a Federal Election, GPRA calls on the next Government to:

• Invest in better primary health care in Australia, including increased investment in medicare
• Ensure the next future generation of GPs has access to quality and safe training
• Address employment arrangements for GPs in training, and
• Support the development of the future workforce in primary care.

I invite members to share their views with me about what they want to see the next Federal Government of Australia to do.

I will keep you updated on your feedback and about our activities in the coming weeks.