State premiers announce urgent care partnership

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has offered new insights into his relationship with the party’s Victorian leader.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has revealed he hasn’t spoken to Victoria’s Liberal leader despite being in Melbourne to launch a mammoth healthcare partnership with Premier Daniel Andrews.

Mr Perrottet and Mr Andrews made the partnership announcement at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday.

However, when asked whether Opposition leader Matthew Guy had any idea about the visit, he brushed off bipartisan concern and said they hadn’t spoken.

Both Premiers were in Melbourne on Tuesday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“I’m not sitting here at a Labor Party fundraiser. I’m sitting here with a premier who wants to get things done and look after his people,” he said.

But despite the lukewarm acknowledgment, Mr Guy said he was happy with the NSW leader’s visit south.

“I’m really pleased that it takes a Liberal Premier to tell Daniel Andrews how to fix the health system,” he said.

Both states will establish 25 urgent care services in partnership with GPs as part of the scheme.

Ten of the Victorian centres have already been announced in partnership with major hospitals across the state.

These include the Alfred, Austin and Box Hill hospitals, along with Frankston and Bendigo.

The remaining hubs will be announced in the coming weeks.

The announcement was made at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre and Austin Hospital. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Medics at the centres will be equipped to treat conditions such as fractures, burns and mild infections.

Mr Andrews said the scheme will also help GPs who are struggling to turn a profit while being bulk billed.

“It’s about subsidising GPs who frankly can’t make a living if they bulk bill,” he said.

“(The locations will) open, bulk bill, have everyone and have those extended hours and have that primary care in your community, rather than waiting in an emergency department.”

He went on to acknowledge the dire state of current services, which has resulted in long wait times and overworked staff.

The Premiers of NSW and Victoria have announced a healthcare initiative. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“They want to get primary care but just can’t find a bulk-billing doctor to provide it to them,” Mr Andrews said.

“This is the key point. It’s never been harder to find a bulk billing doctor than it is right now. And instead of complaining about it, we’re doing something about it.”

Mr Perrottet echoed the sentiment, saying it would benefit people in both states.

“There is no health system that is immune from pressure during this difficult time,” he said.

“We need to start looking at new ways of doing things.

“(People) can wait for hours in emergency because the patients in most need, need to be seen first.”

The move is intended to ease pressure on emergency departments and provide patients with faster care.
The services will be free of charge and will be staffed by GPs across both states.