$227 million window dressing? Govt to fund 29 more urgent care clinics in the Federal Budget
Mark Butler claimed it was 'not clear' why the RACGP was critical of urgent care clinics.
A $227 million pledge to fund 29 more urgent care clinics has increased GP concerns about how the universal bulk-billing clinics funded directly by taxpayers compete with private GP practices.
The new clinics will make 87 in total, according to Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, who made the announcement two days before Tuesday’s federal budget.
However, RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins has called it “window dressing” and says she is concerned that the money is being used before any formal evaluation of their effect.
“The Federal Government knows our position on urgent care centres,” she said.
