14 May 2007

GPs in Canberra

| emd
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These two stories (story one and story two) from ABC News are about a new report that shows Canberra has a well-below-average percentage of GPs who bulk bill, and that ACT out-of-pocket GP costs are the highest in Australia.

Because bulk-billing rates are moderated by Medicare schedule fees, Katy Gallagher wants the Federal Government to do something about the situation in the ACT. No media release from Katy about how exactly she wants it fixed – so I suspect ABC are just reporting on her comments in response to this quarterly report from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

If you look at the waiting room at the bulk-billing medical practices around Canberra, or at TCH’s casualty department, it seems pretty obvious that demand for bulk-billing GP services is outstripping supply.

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I’ve seen Dr Smee to get a prescription repeat when my regular GP was unavailable. He’s good, and there was nobody else in his waiting room. Thanks for the reminder!

No one must know about Dr Smee at Dickson Medical Centre then.

Always empty when I go and he bulk bills.

Mind you – I only see him for complaints for which I need a certificate i.e. colds/flu gastro etc.

I have a GP from conception for historical stuff.

50 bucks a pop – but i get about 33 back from public health.

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