The ACT Greens have promised to deliver four bulk-billing GP clinics across Canberra in the next term of the Legislative Assembly, to relieve cost of living pressures and keep more Canberrans out of hospital.

The Greens state they will:

• Establish two GP clinics in the north and two in the south of Canberra, so Canberrans can access a doctor for free, closer to their home;
• Provide all facilities and services at the clinics so doctors can focus on seeing their patients, without the administrative burden of running a private GP clinic;
• Bridge the gap between the “successful” nurse-led walk-in centres and “overloaded” hospital emergency departments, enabling Canberrans to see a doctor for free;
• Ensure all GPs at the clinics are exempt from payroll tax, by providing only bulk-billed appointments;
• Partner with GPs who want to focus on mental health and musculoskeletal conditions – the two long-term health issues that have the most impact on the lives of people with that condition in the ACT – to provide continuity of care to people for free.

“Every Canberran should have access to affordable healthcare, when they need it – not just when they are in crisis,” ACT Greens health spokesperson Emma Davidson MLA. Ms Davidson is currently Minister for Community Services, Seniors and Veterans, for Corrections and Justice Health, and for Population Health.

“Right now, too many Canberrans are struggling to access free care early in their health journey. We don’t have enough bulk billing GPs; the ones we have are booked out for weeks; and for people who need ongoing care, it can be hard to find someone who understands how to properly treat and manage their condition.

“We’re meant to have a free public health system in Canberra, but most people don’t get free healthcare until they get to the hospital emergency department. That’s too late.

“That’s why the ACT Greens will deliver thousands of free doctor appointments every week so people can continue to live well at home.

“Canberra is a place where everyone can live well. We have a kind and caring health workforce, and we want our neighbours, friends and family to be able to live life to the fullest. Let’s get back to delivering truly universal healthcare.

“The Greens will deliver 160,000 more free doctor visits each year, support doctors to better care for their patients over the long term, and keep Canberrans out of hospital.

“We also know there are many Canberrans living with chronic, ongoing healthcare issues who need long-term management and support. We will partner with interested GPs to develop their skills and expertise in specific conditions. These GPs will then provide ongoing, free, specialist care to people with chronic illnesses.

“Having a GP who understands your health needs, providing continuous care, means you will receive the best possible support to live well at home and in the community. 

“The ACT Greens will give people the care they need, when they need it, not just when they are in crisis. All this is possible, if you vote for it.”

Harini Rangarajan, ACT Greens Candidate for Murrumbidgee, said people with chronic health conditions usually need more support on their health journey, but that it is difficult to find a doctor who understands their needs.

“Hospitals are designed to support people when they are in a health crisis,” Ms Rangarajan said. “The Greens want to support people on their health journey before they need to go to hospital so they can continue to study, work and actively be part of their community.

“Health affordability has become a real issue, especially for young people and BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and people of colour] families, often leaving their health issues unaddressed. We need a robust GP and nurse-led healthcare system to ensure prompt intervention so Canberrans can live a healthy life.

“By improving access to doctors who have expert knowledge in mental health and musculoskeletal conditions we can reduce hospital admissions and keep many more people in Canberra living their best lives and doing the things they love.”

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said that the Commonwealth Government had neglected Medicare reform for over a decade, and failed to deliver a truly universal healthcare system.

“Universal public health care means that cost should not be a barrier to any person who needs to see a GP,” Mr Rattenbury said. “But the Commonwealth Government has failed to increase the Medicare Benefits Schedule payment to cover the cost of GP services, which means too many Canberrans can’t afford to see a doctor. 

“The status quo is failing Canberrans who need access to free primary health care. We will change the system so everyone can access universal healthcare, have better health and life outcomes, and reduce demands and costs on our hospital system.”

ACT Labor: Greens policy is interesting, but raises concerns

Rachel Stephen-Smith, health minister and ACT Labor health spokesperson, said: “ACT Labor has always been the party of free and accessible public healthcare. We’re making record investments across the ACT public health system so Canberrans can access the right healthcare in the right place, and at the right time.

“We’re also working with Federal Labor Government, local GPs and other service providers to improve access to GPs and encourage more bulk billing. After a decade of neglect from the Federal Liberal Government, we are starting to see positive change with two Labor Governments working together.

“ACT Labor is supportive of improving access to primary care to manage chronic conditions and provide preventative health. That’s why we are opening more health centres across the Territory and investing more in community-based services to work in partnership with GPs.

“The Greens policy is an interesting proposal, and we will be considering it further. However, it does raise some concerns. There is a risk of GPs moving around the ACT undermining our existing valued general practices rather than bringing new workforce into the ACT.

“ACT Labor will have more health policies to announce over the coming months. Canberrans can trust these policies will be practical, achievable and effective in delivering more healthcare for the ACT.”

Earlier this week, ACT Labor committed to hire 800 health workers.