Doctors slam plan for ‘lame duck’ urgent care GP clinics
The idea is for five general practices to take on urgent patients apparently clogging up local emergency departments
A new plan to use GP practices to offer urgent care services to ease pressures on EDs is doomed to fail amid the current crisis afflicting the specialty, doctors say.
Costing $14 million, under the plan rolled out in Victoria clinics will have to run 16 hours a day, seven days a week and manage patients with conditions requiring urgent attention but not requiring urgent care, such mild infections, fractures and burns.
Additionally, they would be responsible for organising any necessary imaging and pathology tests.
Media reports have suggested they will also have to bulk-bill – although that has not been confirmed.
