Dean Winter and Ella Haddad announce TassieDoc for Tasmanians to see a GP for free
Many Tasmanians find it hard and costly to get an appointment with a GP. Now Labor has outlined a vision that would enable people to visit a doctor for free. HOW IT WOULD WORK >>>
Tasmania
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UPDATE, July 6 1.41pm: Doctors have hailed Labor’s election promise for five new free GP bulk billing clinics as “very future focused” saying it is an “unfortunate reality” that many Tasmanians cannot afford to see a GP.
But Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma says a re-elected Liberal government would match and the government “has already been providing this support for GP clinics around the State”.
“Labor’s promise, to provide clinics and consulting rooms and grants for practices to take on and retain doctors, is hardly new because we’re already doing it,” she said.
Royal Australian College of GPs deputy chairman Dr Tim Jones said the clinics would benefit people who are missing out and attractive to doctors who did not want to run their own clinics but focus on patient care.
“At the moment, we are sad as GPs to see that so many Tasmanians cannot access that care.
“Every patient, no matter their postcode or income, deserves access to high-quality care from a GP who knows them, and their history.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that some households have to make impossible decisions between filling up the car, buying groceries and medicines, and seeking healthcare, including from a GP.
“By boosting access to general practice care in these communities, patients can get the care they need, when they need it.”
Dr Jones said similar clinics interstate had “worked very well” to recruit and retain doctors and also led to a decrease in hospital costs.
Labor leader Dean Winter said Tasmanians had been “crying out” for better access to GPs when they most need it.
“We need to take pressure off our hospitals by providing more services into the towns and suburbs of Tasmania,” he said.
Labor health spokeswoman Ella Haddad said the clinics would not compete with existing private GP clinics.
“We’ll provide the bricks and mortar will provide the nursing and admin staff that will allow doctors to come in and do what they do best, which is provide care to their patients,” she said.
Patient Louise Cripps, who is already bulk-billed, said she knew of many families who had to choose between heating their home or going to the doctor.
Earlier, July 5: Labor will announce a bold plan to allow Tasmanians to visit the doctor for free at five new clinics across the state if it wins government.
The Australian Medical Association has welcomed the initiative with vice president and GP Dr Meg Creely describing it as “a positive announcement”.
“I think it could definitely work well in vulnerable communities who struggle to get access to primary care,” she said.
Labor leader Dean Winter and health spokeswoman Ella Haddad said the new clinics, known as TassieDoc, would be in addition to the federal government’s urgent care clinics.
“Right now, there are zero 100 per cent free regular doctors’ clinics in Tasmania,” they said.
“Our Urgent Care Clinics are great – but they are for urgent care – not regular doctor services.
“A Labor government will start TassieDoc – to ensure Tasmanians can see a regular doctor for free.”
Mr Winter and Ms Haddad said the five new clinics would be “100 per cent free and fully bulk-billed”.
The clinics would be in the South, North and North-West where they said there was a “clear community need”.
“They will be supported by federal Labor’s increased investment in Medicare and the Tasmanian government will run them and provide extra support,” they said.
“We’ll provide the clinic and consulting rooms, and they’ll be staffed by GPs who will 100 per cent bulk bill.
“All Tasmanians will need is their Medicare card.
“These clinics will operate with extended hours including evenings and weekends – in person or via telehealth – to ensure Tasmanians can make the most of them.
“The first TassieDoc clinics will be operating before the end of the year – because after 11 years of the Liberals, Tasmanians shouldn’t have to wait any longer to see a doctor for free.”
To address a shortage of GPs, Labor also wants to attract more doctors to Tasmania and for more to train in the state.
Labor says practices will receive grants to take on and retain doctors – helping to grow our local health workforce in both urban and rural communities.
Dr Creely said it was important that the new clinics did not impact on GP practices already operating.
“We don’t want any unintended consequence that impacts other practices and then we end up with less service than we’ve actually got so I think it needs some careful thought as to where and collaboration with other primary care practices in the area,” she said.
“We don’t have enough current GPs so we have to be able to make this a viable, sustainable thing for GPs that also offers fair remuneration.
“I think any increase and any recognition of how important primary care is as a cornerstone of our healthcare system is a positive thing.”
Dr Creely reiterated the AMA’s concerns that Medicare patient rebates were inadequate.
In January this year, a report by the free online healthcare directory Cleanbill found there were no clinics in Tasmania available to bulk bill new adult patients.
Originally published as Dean Winter and Ella Haddad announce TassieDoc for Tasmanians to see a GP for free
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