GP Infrastructure Grants a better way to build better primary care in local communities

The AMA is urging the Government to expand its Primary Care Infrastructure Grants (PCIG) program, which is proving far superior to GP Super Clinics in building better primary care in local communities across Australia.

Dr Hambleton said that a recent audit by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) provides clear evidence that the PCIG program is delivering important new practical resources faster and cheaper and more efficiently than the GP Super Clinics program.

“The PCIG is building on what works,” Dr Hambleton said.

“It is delivering real results for the community with local practices taking realistic steps to improve patient access to services.

“To date, the grants are supporting more that 200 practices to improve IT systems, build more treatment rooms, and ensure they have facilities to train the next generation of family doctors.  This number will grow to 475 practices as funding arrangements are finalised.

“The AMA is recommending that the Government build on this momentum by increasing PCIG funding and offering a third ground of grants to an additional 575 practices at an average of $300,000 each.

“More than $500 million has been allocated to the GP Super Clinics program, which has been plagued with delays and funding difficulties.

“Only 25 clinics out of a promised 64 are operating to date.

“Any GP Super Clinic funding that is not yet committed should be redirected towards PCIG program.

“It makes more sense to build on established general practices that have been serving towns and suburbs for generations than building expensive new white elephants that cannot attract GPs to work in them,” Dr Hambleton said.

19 July 2012

CONTACT:         Kirsty Waterford                  02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

Follow the AMA Media on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ama_media

Follow the AMA President on Twitter: http://twitter.com/amapresident