Doctors give cool response to Labor’s GP clinics plan
Under the election proposal urgent care centres would be set up in practices to ease pressure on EDs
Labor’s big election pledge to roll out 50 urgent care centres through GP practices and community health centres to relieve pressure on EDs, has been given an ice-cool response from doctors.
Under a $135 million trial lasting four years, they would be branded Medicare Urgent Care Clinics and treat patients for things like fractures, minor burns and abrasions.
However, bulk-billing would be compulsory.
“GPs around the country and community health centres have been trying to make this sort of model work, but it simply can’t stack up financially under the existing Medicare system,” Labor’s health spokesman Mark Butler said on Wednesday.
