Boost to After-Hours GP Services
After-hours support from local GPs has been given another boost by the Australian Government with the opening of applications for the fourth round of the $10 million General Practice After-Hours Grants Program.
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19 July 2011
After-hours support from local GPs has been given another boost by the Gillard Government with the opening of applications for the fourth round of the $10 million General Practice After-Hours Grants Program.
Acting Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler said that the Gillard Labor Government is making it easier for families to contact a doctor when they need to.
“Primary Health care is the part of the health system that Australians use the most, through initiatives like the GP After-Hours Grants and the after hours GP Helpline, we are delivering services that matter to families.
“For many Australians, GP clinics are their first port-of-call when they fall ill. Improving access to quality, well-located after-hours GP services is a key element in building a stronger national primary healthcare system.”
“Supporting the delivery of primary care in local communities is part of the Government’s commitment to reduce the pressure on local hospital emergency departments,” Mr Butler said.
“Our health reforms are already delivering more doctors, nurses and hospital beds across the country.
“We are also upgrading more than 400 GP clinics and building 64 GP Super Clinics to provide even better health care for all Australians.
“We are also investing in Medicare Locals which are a critical element of our overall national health reforms and will drive improvements in healthcare in local communities to ensure that local health services meet local needs.
Sixty successful organisations will receive a two-year grant of up to $100,000 to assist them with costs such as incentives for GPs, wages for support staff and other operating costs incurred after-hours.
An application package with more information about the grants and eligibility requirements is available at the Department of Health and Ageing website. Applications close at 2pm (AEST) Friday 19 August 2011.
For more information, please contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7280
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