ACRRM welcomes key changes outlined in the GP Incentives Review Expert Advisory Panel Final Report to government which was submitted last week 

The College supports the review’s general principle of shifting to a framework that is flexible and enables healthcare team models aimed at maximising the quality of care in rural and remote areas.   

Speaking with The Medical Republic this week, ACRRM President Dr Dan Halliday expressed that ACRRM was pleased the voices of rural doctors had been heard. 

In particular, the College is pleased to see the report advises against the earlier proposal for immediate cessation Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) payments be directed to practices rather than doctors in the immediate term. The report’s Recommendation 1B, now suggests consideration of a phased transitioning of payments into the Baseline Practice Payment over the next three years. 

The College advocated strongly on this position, warning the earlier proposal would have negatively impacted recruitment and retention of fragile rural workforces. 

While the College welcomes the report’s flexible approach to healthcare teams, it is disappointed the role of Rural Generalists (RGs) remains largely unaddressed. ACRRM has repeatedly emphasised that the RG model is essential to achieving high-quality healthcare in rural, remote and First Nations communities.

A key positive recommendation in the report is the establishment of a dedicated pricing authority for general practice. The College hopes this will highlight the full contribution of General Practitioners (GPs) and RGs to healthcare which has long been undervalued.  

Despite some progress, the College continues to see potential risks in the proposals.   

  • The pause on the cessation of WIP payments to doctors is temporary. The College will continue to advocate strongly to ensure that future incentive structures deliver an attractive value proposition for rural general practice and RG practice. 
  • A major risk arising collectively from the recommendations which seek to encourage team care general practices is that these may inadvertently incentivise a structural shift towards business models for rural general practices which no longer aspire to include doctors in general practice clinics and see many rural families losing access to medical care.   
  • The expert advisory panel is commended for its recognition that the sector has been underfunded for many years and that the success of any proposals will depend on certainty of funding.