General practice is forming a key part of the State election campaign as each party ramps up their commitments to improving access to healthcare across WA.
General practitioners will be able to quickly contact specialists for advice in a bid to reduce referrals under a state election pledge from WA Labor.
Meanwhile the WA Liberal party has vowed to boost GP numbers and provide free GP appointments.
The GP ASK pilot program, promised by WA Labor, would provide $8.2 million in funding to allow GPs to securely message five medical specialists in immunology, paediatrics, respiratory medicine, spinal surgery and geriatrics to advise on a patient’s care.
It is part of a wider $254 million health pledge, which includes $104.8m to transform Midland Health Campus’ emergency department, $36.3m to expand the WA Virtual Emergency Department program and $104.4m for Royal Perth Hospital, including a new emergency department.
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said the College’s latest Health of the Nation survey of GPs had found that 55% of GPs reported patient access to other medical specialists as one of the main issues they faced.
“If implemented well, this will help GPs manage patients in the community longer and keep patients off long public waiting lists to see non-GP specialists,” Dr Raman said.
“Giving GPs better access to advice through a well-implemented process from other specialists though an effective system can mean patients have better access and outcomes for their health care concerns.”
The program has been partially based on the results of the Virtual Immunology Clinic – General Practice at Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital.
The virtual clinic enables patients to receive a secure telehealth consultation with an immunology specialist and their GP in real time to discuss appropriate management advice.
GPs can avoid standard referrals and instead refer patients to an immunologist in real time via an online portal.
According to the clinic, it has reduced consultation wait times and patients have achieved the same clinical outcomes.
Patient records will be securely shared via WA’s Smart Referrals electronic referrals system.
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The Liberal Party has promised $140m to boost GP numbers, support GP practices and provide free GP visits.
Some $26.4m has been earmarked for a $40,000 GP training incentive, $10m for a training fund for high-demand specialists, $60m for free post-discharge GP visits and $5m for GP upskilling for ADHD co-prescribing.
AMA(WA) President Dr Michael Page said addressing health service shortages required state government intervention.
“State governments actually taking ownership and responsibility for GP shortages and for getting young doctors interested in training in general practice is something that we think is a good thing for state governments to get involved in,” Dr Page said.
The WA Liberals have also earmarked $3m to allow community pharmacies across the state to dispense specialists medications and promised to allow limited prescribing by community pharmacists.
The party said the commitment would be based on the Queensland model which has allowed pharmacists to prescribe for 23 conditions including reflux, rhinitis, mild skin conditions, cold and flu symptoms, and mild ear infections.
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Pharmacist prescribing powers have been a point of contention for WA doctors, with many concerned it could impact patient safety.
The AMA has previously said it does not agree with the extended scope for pharmacists that have been announced in areas across the country, labelling it “unsafe”.
In WA an expanded role for community pharmacists was introduced in August 2024 allowing them to deliver care for a range of conditions including mild to moderate shingles, acne, dermatitis, musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, nausea and vomiting, urinary tract infections and wound management.
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