SA Liberal’s bid to open GP clinics on Sundays and late on weekdays in State Budget reply

The Libs have issued their Budget reply – and revealed their plans to tackle the state’s ramping crisis and hospital delays.

Ramping at QEH last year. Picture: Ben Clark

A Liberal government will increase doctor clinic hours to 8pm weekdays and add Sunday morning openings if it wins the state election in a bid to tackle ramping and hospital delays.

In his State Budget reply in parliament on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia revealed the plan would provide $150,000 per clinic per annum if they stayed open longer in the two-year GP After-Hours Increased Access Trial.

“After hour options allow people to access their GP without having to take time off work,” Mr Tarzia said, adding that there would also be payroll tax cuts for GPs.

Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia wants to see GP clinics open later. Picture: Dean Martin

The trial would cost $24 million and mean up to 80 GP practices could apply for the grant to meet additional costs of operating after hours, including wages, on-call allowances and facility costs.

“Every family understands the juggle of scheduling a routine GP appointment around work,

school and social activities, that is also within the clinic’s opening hours,” Mr Tarzia said.

“We know that being able to see your doctor for preventive health care, such as vaccinations

and regular health checks, keeps us healthier in the long term and prevents additional strain on

the health system.”

Ashton Hurn, pictured in 2023, said the initiative would support families. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Shadow Health Minister Ashton Hurn said: “We need to do everything we can to support families and keep people out of hospital and this initiative is designed to do just that”.

She said local GPs were an essential workforce in keeping “our community healthy, happy and out of hospitals if they can avoid it”.

“This will help practices keep their doors open longer and provide great flexibility for patients and families,” she said.

“We are committed to removing barriers which could deter people accessing primary healthcare – that’s why we’re announcing this policy, and it’s why are also committed to scrapping the GP payroll tax grab.”

Mr Tarzia also used his right of reply to say the Liberal Party would cut stamp duty on established homes for first time buyers, introduce tough new protections on heritage homes and the city parklands and push to expand city central business district housing.

This included having a single heritage act, a stand alone heritage minister, tougher heritage protection over demolition and a re-established heritage conservation grant system with $2.5m to support owners of heritage buildings.

Originally published as SA Liberal’s bid to open GP clinics on Sundays and late on weekdays in State Budget reply