Grassroots doctors hit Canberra to lobby MPs
GP shortages, bulk billing rates, patient rebates and bureaucratic red tape will head the agenda as a group of grassroots GPs front Federal politicians for discussions in Canberra next week.
As part of a coordinated, national campaign, fifteen GPs are making the trip from Toowoomba, Rockhampton, and Brisbane in Queensland, and Biloela in outback Queensland; Geraldton in Western Australia; Hobart in Tasmania, suburban Adelaide in South Australia; western Sydney, Newcastle, Taree and the Central and South Coast in New South Wales; Bingara in rural New South Wales; and from inner-city Melbourne and Sale in Victoria.
Their stories will illustrate the critical issues confronting GPs, and their patients and the threats to timely, accessible patient care in regional and suburban communities all around Australia.
GPs will meet their local MPs, the Shadow Minister for Health, Stephen Smith, and the Federal Government's Backbench Policy Committee on Health and Ageing, which is chaired by Trish Draper MP and reports to the Minister for Health, Senator Kay Patterson, and the Minister for Ageing, Kevin Andrews.
"Doctors attending the meeting will travel great distances, some from remote solo practices. They are clearly committed to their patients and their communities and want to explain their concerns personally to the politicians," said Dr David Rivett, NSW South Coast GP and Chair of the AMA's Council of General Practice.
Some of the concerns raised by doctors attending the talks include:
It's very difficult to find a new GP for our practice. We've been advertising for five years, without a reply.
Dr Chris Boyle
Raymond Terrace, New South Wales.
We were the last practice to stop bulk billing in our town, and now people have to travel for 70 kilometres before they can see a GP who bulk bills.
Dr David Monash
Sale, Victoria.
We reluctantly ceased bulk billing all but a few very disadvantaged patients. What concerns me are the patients who don't come back because of their inability to pay.
Dr Annette Carruthers
Newcastle, New South Wales.
In a typical week I would work over 60 hours, not including on call and would spend 30-40 percent of my time in theatre giving anaesthetics. I am the only GP in my practice who provides a service for drug addicts. My patients wait for up to three weeks for a routine appointment.
Dr Ian Taylor
Geraldton, Western Australia.
GPs Campaign members attending include:
Dr Scott Arnold Taree, NSW
Dr Chris Boyle Raymond Terrace, NSW
Dr Annette Carruthers Newcastle, NSW
Dr John Davis Hobart, TAS
Dr Steve Hambleton Brisbane, QLD
Dr Ian Kamerman Bingara, NSW
Dr Lynne King Toowoomba, QLD
Dr David Monash Sale, VIC
Dr Safwat Riad Bankstown, NSW
Dr David Rivett Batemans Bay, NSW
Dr Mary Stravropolou Melbourne, VIC
Dr Ian Taylor Geraldton, WA
Dr John Williams Adelaide, SA
Dr Harley Wilson Rockhampton, QLD
Dr Ross Woodward Biloela, QLD
CONTACT: Sarah Bucknell/Kristen Connell (02) 6270 5433 / (0409) 070 346
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306