GPs off hook for after-hours care

Accredited general practices will no longer have to ensure patients can access after-hours care, with the RACGP indicating it believes Medicare Locals are now responsible for what happens to patients when the surgery closes.

Next week, $60 million each year in after-hours Practice Incentives Program funding will be stripped from general practices and redirected to Medicare Locals, which are expected to use the cash to contract after-hours services from general practices.

In response, the RACGP has decided to revamp the