FOI documents reveal Labor-Greens Government wanted to trial GPs in all walk-in centres
FOI documents reveal the ACT Labor-Greens Government’s initial Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) model was for a trial to integrate GPs and Consultant Medical Officers (CMOs) across all five ACT Walk-in Centres (WICs), through a mix of face to face and telehealth consultations.
Shadow Minister for Health, Leanne Castley, said the documents, obtained by the Canberra Liberals, proved beyond doubt that Labor had tried to walk away from the nurse-led, Walk-in Centre model.
“The documents argue that having patients referred to a GP or CMO only after initial triage, would preserve and optimise the nurse-led model,” Ms Castley said.
“They say concerns about this eroding the nurse-led model could be allayed by highlighting this aspect in clear messaging…provided on rollout.”
Ms Castley said the FOI documents show:
in December 2022 Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, wrote to the ACT Health Minister expressing in principle support for the model, but asked for more information about how GPs would be integrated into a previously nurse-led environment.
in January 2023 Ms Stephen-Smith responded, supporting further work between ACT Health Directorate and the Commonwealth Department of Health over the model’s details.
due to strong sensitivities between medical and nursing representatives, officials worked closely with the ACT Health Minister’s office to consider alternate models to resolve these concerns, “to ensure smooth and effective implementation.”
Ms Castley believes this was when Canberra Health Services floated the absurd proposal of having a non-advertised GP out-the-back of WICs.
“The Health Minister was up to her eyeballs in this. While accusing the Canberra Liberals of not supporting nurse-led Walk-in Centres, the Health Minister was herself clearly walking away from them.
“This only stopped when in May 2023, on advice from Minister Butler’s office, the Commonwealth Health Department asked the ACT to consider an alternate model to extend Nurse Practitioner coverage across WIC sites in place of GPs.
Ms Castley said Urgent Care Clinics aimed to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and make it easier for Australian families to see a doctor or a nurse when they require urgent but not life-threatening care.
“Labor has not been upfront about Walk-in Centres. This was highlighted Just recently when the Canberra Times revealed their real cost is closer to $200 per presentation than the $110 claimed by the government.
“We know the Health Minister and Labor-Greens government do not respect or prioritise GPs and are more interested in taxing them instead of working closely with our hardworking GPs to ensure Canberrans have access to important primary healthcare,” Ms Castley concluded.
