GP respiratory clinics to enter ‘standby mode’ next year with changed funding model
The clinics will close in March, but Mark Butler expects them to relaunch at short notice if it’s deemed necessaryÂ
GP respiratory clinics across Australia will be stood down from March, but the Federal Government expects them to remain on standby to relaunch at short notice if COVID-19 cases increase.
The move is part of the national Covid-19 health management plan for 2023 and has been signed off by all state and territory leaders.
Launching the plan on Monday, the Minister for Health and Aged Care said the “vast bulk” of the 70-odd GP respiratory clinics would keep operating until 1 March.
“From then, they will be put onto a retainer arrangement, where that can be agreed, so that they’re able to scale up in the event of future waves,” Mark Butler told reporters.
