After 13 years of operation, calls are growing for a review of Walk-in Centres. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Independent candidates running for the ACT election have called for a review of Canberra’s nurse-led medical Walk-in Centres, citing concerns about long queues and secrecy over how much the service costs.
The ACT has five Walk-in Centres – in Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Dickson, Weston and Gungahlin – which are doctor-free clinics run by nurses who provide no-charge health care for non-life threatening injuries and illnesses without the need to book an appointment.
In October 2023, the Chief Minister announced the federal government would provide an additional $7 million to expand services in these centres.
The Canberra Liberals say documents they obtained through freedom of information requests revealed the ACT Government wanted to trial GPs working at the centres but backed away from this proposal.
Canberra Liberals deputy leader and health spokesperson Leanne Castley accused Labor of not respecting or prioritising GPs and not being upfront about the true cost of service, which she said was close to $200 per presentation.
ACT Australian Medical Association president Dr Kerrie Aust said this made it “a poor value for money proposition” compared to seeing your local GP.
“The AMA rates are around $100 a GP consult, the taxpayers pay approximately $43 … we see more patients, we see them more effectively, we have the value of the continuity of care,” she said.
“If we’re going to spend $200 of taxpayers’ money on walk-in clinics, why wouldn’t we put that money back into GP [services]”?
A spokesperson for the Health Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to Walk-in Centres, saying, “The Canberra Liberals have never supported this popular and successful model of care and have never committed to maintaining it if they are elected”.
Canberra Liberals Deputy Leader Leanne Castley has accused Labor of not respecting GPs. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region asked the Canberra Liberals if they would integrate GPs into the Walk-in Centres or make any other reforms, but they declined to respond, saying they’d release their policy before the election.
Labor did not answer our question about how much the service costs per presentation.
Other candidates running for the ACT election called for more transparency.
“I hear mixed reviews of the nurse-led Walk-in Centres,” said David Pollard, who is running for the Independents for Canberra party for the seat of Yerrabi.
“Some people have used them often and with very positive experiences, while others have given up going to them at all. Personally, I’ve had good experiences, though I’ve also been turned away due to long queue times that are expected to run past closing time.
“The government has opened themselves up to requiring further scrutiny by publishing misleading statistics about the taxpayer cost per visit … the first step is to apply some independent scrutiny and accountability. This coalition [Labor-Greens] has fostered a culture of compliance, submission and even fear in the public service.”
His colleague Thomas Emerson, running for Kurrajong, said: “An independent review could take the politics out of the conversation and determine whether or not we’re making the best possible use of that funding.”
Woden-based independent candidate for Murrumbidgee Fiona Carrick expressed a similar view.
“Walk-in Centres are popular with the electorate; however, after 13 years of operation, there should be a review of their performance,” she said.
ACT Greens spokesperson for health Emma Davidson said she supported the Walk-in Centres but reiterated her party’s call for more to be spent on bulk billing GPs.
“Walk-in Centres play an important role providing free, timely care when you need it and referring people to hospital or a GP for their health needs. However, they are only one part of our health system,” she said.
“The ACT Government also needs to support our GPs so people have better access to care for their health needs. GPs have a different set of skills to nurses, but are equally important to deliver quality health care in the community.
“That’s why the ACT Greens will deliver 160,000 more free doctor visits each year, in four government-owned centres – two northside and two southside.”
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