ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee has today announced a Canberra Liberals Government will deliver over 200,000 GP visits each year and reduce emergency department overload by expanding GP availability and strengthening after hours care.

Ms Lee said a Canberra Liberals Government will:

• deliver even better walk in centres in South Tuggeranong, West Belconnen, North Gungahlin and the Inner South where GPs will work with nurses

• incentivise practices to provide after-hours services such as CALMS to reduce the burden on ED

• pay up to $100,000 of HECS debt for up to 30 new GPs for a 5-year commitment to practicing in the ACT

• boost funding for a research chair for general practice with the ANU Medical School to make Canberra the place of choice for doctors specialising in general practice

• exempt GPs from Andrew Barr’s payroll tax

• deliver medical imaging services at the GP integrated clinics in West Belconnen and South Tuggeranong

• provide legislative reforms and training for GPs to prescribe and diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• expand the scope of practice for pharmacists.

“By expanding GP care through these initiatives and commitments, Canberrans will have better access to healthcare services outside of emergency departments,” Ms Lee said.

“Primary care has long been neglected by Labor and the Greens and as a result we now have one of the worst health systems in the country which includes the longest emergency department wait times in the nation.

“A Canberra Liberals Government will respect GPs and prioritise primary care which will play a big role in taking pressure off the emergency department that is at breaking point.”

Shadow Minister for Health Leanne Castley said incorporating GPs into new walk in centres in South Tuggeranong, West Belconnen, North Gungahlin and the Inner South, along with incentivising practices to provide after-hours care, would deliver Canberrans over 200,000 GP appointments each year.

“Only a Canberra Liberals Government will boost primary care in the ACT and increase access to GPs for Canberrans with expanded practice capabilities,” Ms Castley said.

“More than 40 per cent of Emergency Department presentations each month are categorised as non-urgent or semi-urgent and could be seen by a GP and more patients are presenting to ED with chronic conditions that have been undiagnosed for long periods due to poor access to primary care.

“By enhancing primary care, the ACT becomes more attractive to healthcare professionals, easing pressure on emergency services and ultimately providing better care for Canberrans.

“The health of Canberrans has long been neglected under a Labor-Greens Government and these initiatives announced today by the Canberra Liberals signal to the entire community we will put their health first,” Ms Castley concluded.