What the federal budget means for general practice

Better Access, telehealth, vaccines and the non-mention of GP patient enrolment
Australian Doctor editor Paul Smith.
Australian Doctor editor Paul Smith.

As we suggested yesterday, the Federal Budget was unlikely to offer any Big Bang for general practice, but with the comforting assumption that there would also be no nasties.

The emergency care of a badly beaten economy took precedence.

In terms of the health system aspect of COVID-19, beyond providing more support for aged care, last night’s pledges were about continuing to do what’s already being done.

Yes, MBS telehealth continues, along with the respiratory clinics, the mass testing and the hope that community transmission can be snuffled out long-term.