RACGP Proposes Strategic Funding to Support Healthcare
CANBERRA — The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged the ACT Government to prioritise investment in general practice in the upcoming 2026-27 budget to alleviate the strain on local hospitals. The RACGP’s pre-budget submission highlights the potential benefits of strategic funding in primary care.
Dr. Rebekah Hoffman, Chair of RACGP ACT, emphasised that the Territory’s compact size allows for focused investments that could significantly improve the health system’s efficiency. According to her, increasing support for general practice could enhance access, preventive care, and reduce hospital demand.
The RACGP’s proposal aligns with the ACT Health Services Plan 2022-2030, which aims to build a sustainable general practice workforce and strengthen integration between primary care and hospitals. The submission outlines several key funding initiatives designed to achieve these goals.
RACGP’s Key Funding Recommendations
The College recommends an $80,000 subsidy programme to make GP fellowship exams more affordable, encouraging a larger workforce. a $6.275 million investment is proposed to expand GP supervision capacity, ensuring the training of future general practitioners. Dr. Hoffman stressed the importance of financial support for registrars and supervisory roles.
With emergency departments under pressure, the RACGP suggests a $4 million package to enhance after-hours general practice services, potentially decreasing emergency department visits by up to 18%. This includes grants for after-hours expansions and GP-led urgent care sessions.
The submission also calls for a $200,000 independent review of nurse-led walk-in centers to assess their safety and integration within the healthcare system. embedding GPs within hospital systems with a $3.05 million investment could reduce waiting lists and improve care continuity.
In response to seasonal health challenges, the RACGP proposes a $23 million immunisation package targeting influenza, RSV, and meningococcal B, aimed at reducing preventable illnesses during winter.
Source: newshub.medianet.com.au
Last updated: 4 April 2026, 6:39 pm
