GP body launches new advocacy plan, network

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new Advocacy Plan and GP Advocate Network with an aim to deliver stronger and more focused advocacy for general practice.

"There has never been a more important time for general practice advocacy in Australia,” said RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, announcing the launch on the first day of the Practice Owners Conference 2024.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in demand for general practice care because Australia has an ageing population and epidemic of chronic disease and mental illness, which requires high-quality GP care.

“Every year, 22 million Australians see a GP for essential health care, making them the most visited health professional in the country.

“At the same time, general practice has been undervalued and underfunded for decades by successive governments. Today, patients’ Medicare rebates are nowhere near the real-life cost of providing care across Australia, and fewer medical students are choosing general practice as a career.

“Change is needed to secure the future of general practice care in Australia. And our profession is stronger when we stand and speak out together.

“Everyone in Australia deserves a relationship with their GP, and it needs to be affordable — there is no substitute for the quality care provided by a GP who knows you and your history,” Higgins said.

The RACGP’s new Advocacy Plan is available for its members to view on its website. It includes four strategic priority areas:

• the central role of general practice in the health system;
• ensuring the viability of general practice;
• supporting the primary care workforce;
• advocating for health system quality and safety.
   

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