The question of whether GPs could earn up to $400,000 a year was raised yet again at this year’s RACGP annual conference – but it may not have had the reception the Federal Health Minister had hoped.
The 2025 RACGP annual conference (GP25) was held from November 14-16, providing a chance for GPs to discuss issues impacting the industry, reflect on achievements, and look towards the future of medicine.
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said the conference was an opportunity for GPs to come together to discuss the issues that are presenting themselves in general practice.
With the recent introduction of new bulk billing initiatives, it was the topic on everyone’s lips.
RELATED: Bulk billing incentives are here – what WA GPs really think
She said a fireside Q&A between Federal Health Minister Mark Butler and RACGP President Michael Wright drew the attention of many delegates due to the recent introduction of new policies around bulk billing.
Minister Butler has repeatedly suggested that under the scheme GPs who offer universal bulk billing would earn more than $400,000, and three quarters of GPs already earn $280,000 a year.
RELATED: Could GPs earn $400k a year?
Dr Raman said the focus of politicians should be on the actual needs of primary care.
“The comments that the minister has made in relation to the income and the salary, it’s not the ‘greedy GP’ or the ‘greedy doctor’ narrative that is being sold,” she said.
ADHD prescribing
A big announcement to come out of the conference held in Brisbane was that Queensland specialist GPs will become the first in the country to be allowed to initiate, adjust and continue prescriptions for ADHD medications for adults as of December.
GPs in Queensland have been initiating and continuing stimulant medications for children since 2017, something a select group of WA GPs will be able to do next year alongside diagnosing the condition.
Dr Raman said a plenary session with federal Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd was a highlight of the event.
“It was a breath of fresh air for the current circumstances,” she said.
“His talk looked at the future and the horizon of healthcare, particularly with primary care and general practice being at the centre of that and the potential opportunities that exist.”
Digital tech
Dr Raman said there was also plenty of interest in sessions that discussed digital innovation.
“As GPs, we’re quite early adopters of innovation and digital health. In a lot of our practices we take it on board, all the way from AI scribes to ensuring there is compatibility with communication with our patients as well.”
RELATED: Artificial intelligence – making healthcare smarter
A number of Western Australians were recognised as part of the annual RACGP awards, you can read more of our coverage here.
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