The RACGP has released its full list of policy suggestions that politicians should look to address at the upcoming state election.
The election race for South Australia is now in full swing, with the RACGP calling on the next South Australian government to take on its suggestions to improve the state’s healthcare.
The college’s 2026 South Australian election policy platform was launched this morning.
A focal point is a call to make landmark investments into establishing a South Australian Centre of Excellence in Neurodiversity to assist in delivering faster, more holistic care to neurodiverse patients in the state.
“A clear commitment to fund an initial centre would make a massive difference,” RACGP SA chair Dr Sian Goodson told The Medical Republic.
“We’d be a nationwide first in the space if we actually do commit to a centre of excellence for neurodivergent care.
“In South Australia, we have an office for autism and a minister for autism. So there’s a real desire in this state to improve diagnostic pathways and support for people with autism.”
A $20 million investment is the price tag to establish the centre according to the RACGP. The centre would provide assessment, diagnosis, management and ongoing support for neurodiverse South Australians.
Investing in the retention of IMGs was another election priority. South Australia has one of the lowest GP per capita ratios in the country.
The RACGP wants an investment of $800,000 to develop peer support and relocation programs along with $2.8 million per year in attraction grants to encourage IMGs to work in South Australia.
“We know that overseas trained doctors are far more likely to go to eastern states than they are to South Australia, which is a shame, because South Australia is amazing and a great place to settle,” Dr Goodson told TMR.
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“The Liberals have committed to that funding and we really want to see the Labour Party commit to it too, because it’s a sensible, practical solution to some of the workforce issues.”
After-hours GP care also needs improvement, with the RACGP calling for $12 million through 2027 to trial 40 clinics that would deliver specialist GP care outside of regular hours.
Also on GP accessibility, a “Metro to Rural” practice program has been suggested to allow for metro-based GPs to work a regularly scheduled roster in a regional practice and associated hospital if needed.
This would reduce the dependence on locums to compensate for regional and rural GP workforce shortages, with $500,000 annually recommended to establish this change.
The final suggestion made as a policy priority is an $898,000 annual investment to support 1000 vulnerable children to access consistent GP care.
That would reduce pressure from SA emergency departments for vulnerable children who present with non-urgent health issues by providing ongoing, coordinated care that would reduce burden on emergency departments and lower readmission rates.
