Opposition promises funds for GPs

IF they form government at the next Federal election, the coalition has pledged up-to four-hundred million dollars over four years to encourage more junior doctors to become general practitioners.

Funds would go towards direct financial incentive payments, assistance with leave entitlements, and support for pre-vocational training.

The commitment – first announced in opposition leader Peter Dutton’s budget reply speech in May – was bolstered during a visit to Strathfieldsaye Primary Health earlier this week by Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston, and Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Dan Tehan.

They were also joined by Matt Evans, current City of Greater Bendigo deputy mayor and the Federal Liberal candidate for Bendigo.

“It will be an investment that will support junior doctors to complete their training in regional and rural areas, including in our communities within the Bendigo electorate,” Mr Evans said.

Mr Dutton said in his May speech that Australia is facing a looming shortage of GPs, as much as 11,000 by 2031, partly because junior doctors who enter general practice earn about three quarters of the salary of their counterparts in hospitals.

In her own reply to the recent budget, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Nicole Higgins said she was disappointed with the lack of support to get more GPs in training.

“Australia has an ageing population and epidemic of chronic disease and mental illness, which means increasing demand for GP care,” she said.

“But only 10.5 per cent of medical students are choosing to specialise as GPs.”