It is distressing to hear of the closure of Blue House Surgery Narooma and the intention of the only 100% bulk billing practices at Narooma Medical and Specialist Centre and Tuross Head Medical to move to a mixed billing model.

We understand the stress this has caused for our local communities and the concerns that this move also threatens the proposed opening of a 100% bulk billing practice in Bega.

Far too many people in our region are struggling to see a GP as many have closed their books to new patients, and those that are able to book an appointment are facing excessive wait times.

This results in people either delaying treatment or presenting in our emergency departments, putting additional pressure on our already overwhelmed hospital system.

There is a significant shortage of General Practitioners, not just in our local area but across all of regional and rural Australia.

Last year Federal Labor secured a Senate Inquiry into GP shortages in regional and rural Australia. The Albanese Labor Government has also promised almost $1 billion in new Medicare and primary-health funding, to ensure the viability of our important Primary Health Network.

Labor’s Strengthening Medicare fund aims to improve patient access to GPs particularly after hours in order to reduce the burden on our hospitals. Grant funding will assist staff training, upgrading telehealth, and improving medical equipment.

The Albanese Labor Government has also committed to establishing an Urgent Care Clinic in Batemans Bay where patients will be bulk billed. Once operating this centre will be open from 8am to 10pm.

Attributable to Dr Michael Holland, Member for Bega:

As a medical practitioner, I fully appreciate the financial demands of running a medical practice.

Like any small business, there are the costs of overheads such as rent, fit-out, staff wages, insurances, disposables and consumables.

Apart from their daily General Practice duties, these rural GPs train General Practice registrars, medical students, fulfill hospital VMO duties including inpatient care, anaesthetics, obstetrics and emergencies.

They also provide essential services to the residents of aged care facilities.

Primary Health services locally need to be developed according to the following outcomes:

• Build a consumer-focused integrated primary health care system
• Improve access and reduce inequity
• Increase the focus on health promotion and prevention, screening and early intervention; and
• Improve quality, safety, performance and accountability.

Attributable to Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro:

People in regional and rural areas deserve access to reliable, consistent and affordable healthcare.

Under the former Liberal Government, Medicare faced rolling cuts, a six-year freeze on Medicare rebates and the removal of bulk billing incentives.

General practice is the cornerstone of the Australian health system. Local GPs are vital in ensuring every Australian gets the quality healthcare they deserve.

I’m proud that an Albanese Labor Government has announced a suite of measures aimed at making it easier for people to see a doctor, particularly those in regional areas like ours.