Page 60 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 14 February 2012
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MS GALLAGHER: It is clear from the ROGS data that in terms of GP-type presentations to the emergency department we are higher than the national average. This is no surprise. I do not know if you people over there have just woken up, and it is an election year, and all of a sudden you have to get interested in this. That data has been the same in terms of presentations to the emergency department—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Which is exactly why we started off initiatives like the walk-in centre to deal with that type of patient who does not necessarily need to be seen at the emergency department but can be seen at another setting. And it is exactly why, if we are elected later this year, you will see us expand our role in primary health care out into community-based settings. We do not want people to come to hospital if they do not need to be at hospital. If they need access to out-of-hours free primary health care, we believe this can be provided safely and conveniently in community settings.
MR HANSON: Supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Minister, why has the number of GPs per capita in the ACT been declining when in other parts of Australia it is increasing?
MS GALLAGHER: As I said, my views on this, in talking with staff in the Medicare local—and other GPs you will notice are starting to advertise for patients—I believe we are seeing an increase in GP numbers. We know that there are a number of clinics that will be opening over the next year or so and I think, based on where it was about three years ago, I hope that the worst of the GP shortage is over. But it does—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS GALLAGHER: Mr Hanson, the feedback I am getting back from GPs—I do not know whether you talk to GPs as part of your job—when I am talking to GPs is that there is some easing in the pressure that they have been experiencing over the last three years, and that is supported by GPs actually advertising for patients, which has not been seen for some time. So I think, based on information I am getting from people who are at the coalface and from some of the signs that we are seeing, the worst of the GP shortage is over. We need to keep building on those initiatives that this government has put in place, through GP training places and some of the infrastructure grants that we have been putting in place to support the work of GPs in the community, which are bearing fruit. That is not necessarily good for anyone other than the Canberra community in terms of accessing a family doctor.
MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
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