An end to GP payroll tax and incentives for IMGs are on the table, should the opposition prevail.
South Australia will start the nation off for state elections this year and, as always, health reforms are slated to be major focus point at the polls in March.
Long-standing pledges from the state Liberal Party include axing payroll tax for GPs and funding GP clinics to stay open later on weeknights and Sundays.
The RACGP had its say early, with a parliamentary check-up late last year setting the tone for what GPs are looking for this election.
Attracting IMGs to South Australia is a focal point, with the overall rate of GPs in the state 5.3% less than the national average, at 107 GPs for every 100,000 people.
“They’re an essential part of our workforce, and we know that we need more to plug the gaps, whilst we continue to increase the numbers we’re training here in Australia,” RACGP SA chair Dr Siân Goodson told The Medical Republic in October.
“Less people know about Adelaide and South Australia, that’s part of our problem.
“We really need to do all we can to advertise how wonderful South Australia is, and incentivise these people to come here.”
The South Australia Liberal Party has made a commitment to introduce incentives for IMGs to move to the state with a $40k package aimed at assisting with IMGs settling in the state.
The $11 million IMG Incentive Package was announced in November with the initiative expected to roll out yearly, pending a Liberal Party victory.
“If we offset their costs with $40,000 grants, we can incentivise these future GPs to move to and train in South Australia,” Dr Goodson told TMR.
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“These doctors practise outside metropolitan areas, so would be a significant boost for our rural GP workforce.
“It would reduce the current reliance we have on expensive locums, and it will provide better continuity of care.”
Workforce retention has been the aim of the game for GPs nationally with South Australia being no different this election.
Better workforce distribution of GPs to rural areas has been another priority of the college, with incentives for metropolitan GPs to practice in rural areas pushed as a potential remedy.
The RACGP is also pushing for reforms to support after-hours non-urgent GP care to better assist with preventative health.
“Everyday preventive care is how you keep people out of hospital in the longer term, and something that’s been missed with the focus on urgent care,” Dr Goodson said.
“Too many people miss opportunities for non-urgent and preventive care because they can’t see a GP on weekdays.
“For $150,000 per practice per year to help cover the extra costs of after-hours services, more GPs can provide care until 8.00 pm on weeknights and on Sunday mornings.
“It’s a great way to make non-urgent healthcare more accessible and affordable for patients.”
