Central Coast GPs are calling on the Federal Government to increase much-needed funding to the sector as part of its ongoing plans to overhaul Medicare.
Around 30 local doctors met Member for Dobell MP Karen MacNamara this week as part of a new nationwide consultation about the future of Medicare and the health system.
The new Health Minister Sussan Ley wants more feedback from doctors after the Government was forced to backdown on some of its unpopular Medicare reforms.
Bateau Bay GP, Phil Godden said the proposed rebate changes to be introduced later this year are unacceptable, and a new approach to the sector is urgently needed.
Dr Godden said the government is out of touch.
“We would actually like general practice, which has been underfunded for years now, to actually gain some credibility to be seen as the important sector of the health service that it is and to have resources poured into it rather than pulled out of it,” he said.
“The key to cheap health is preventative medicine.
“Essentially we feel that the government has got things upside-down.
“General practice and primary care are the key to the low cost and good health outcomes” he said.