EMBARGOED TO 8 OCTOBER 2024: Government can accelerate revival in Australia's GP workforce: Health of the Nation 2024

EMBARGOED TO TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER: The Royal Australian College of GPs says the Federal Government has an opportunity to accelerate a revival in general practice and get more GPs into communities after its Health of the Nation report revealed positive signs. 

The RACGP’s Health of the Nation report is the only annual report providing insights into general practice care based on a nationwide survey of over 3,000 GPs and GPs in training. The 2024 report shows early signs of a revival, including: 

• General practice remains Australia’s most accessed health service – more than 22 million people saw a GP in 2023, and 54% could see a GP within 24 hours when they urgently needed to. 

• Job satisfaction for Australia’s GPs has improved (73% compared to 66% in 2023), and more are recommending general practice as a career (44% compared to 38% in 2023). 

RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said: “I’m pleased to reveal early signs of a revival in Australian general practice – if the Federal Government acts now, they can accelerate this turnaround to get more GPs into communities, caring for patients.  

“The RACGP is on track to train a record number of GPs in 2025 – this positive result is reflected in our 2024 Health of the Nation report finding more GPs are recommending general practice as a career and job satisfaction has improved. 

“There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you and your history. Studies have shown patients who see the same GP are healthier and live longer. A strong general practice workforce is essential for a healthy Australia. 

“We urgently need to accelerate the growth in Australia’s GP workforce to meet increasing patient demand. The need for general practice care is skyrocketing due to Australia’s ageing and growing population, and epidemic of chronic illness. The health department predicts a shortage of 5560 GPs by 2033 – work to avoid this shortfall must start now. 

“We know funding gets results – we’re calling for government funding to train a further 100 GPs annually for five years to boost the workforce, and to implement a range of GP attraction and retention initiatives. 

“Our 2024 Health of the Nation report also busts some big myths. General practice is Australia’s most accessed health service – more than 22 million people saw a GP in 2023, and 54% could see a GP within 24 hours when they urgently needed to. GPs are helping Australians stay out of hospital and propping up our health system. 

“The majority of practices in Australia are multidisciplinary with GPs, practice nurses, and allied health professionals working together to get the best results for patients, and 3-in-5 are expanding services – they can do more if funded. 

“GP clinics are still under pressure after decades of underinvestment and the Medicare freeze. The tripling of bulk billing incentives for healthcare card holders, pensioners and children has helped GPs bulk bill more patients, but too many Australians are missing out.  

“We need meaningful investment in patients’ rebates to make essential healthcare affordable for all Australians – we’re calling for a 20% increase to all Medicare rebates for 20-minute and longer consults, with additional increases for rural and remote communities. Increasing patients’ rebates is the most direct and cost-efficient way to increase bulk billing.