BETTER AFTER HOURS GP SERVICES FOR COOLOOLA
27th September, 2007
Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss today announced an $80,000 grant to Cooloola After Hours Medical to provide after-hours GP services. Mr Truss said the funding will provide families in the Cooloola region with better access to after-hours care from local doctors.
“I am delighted that Gympie is one of 140 Australian communities to be offered Government funding for after-hours GP services,” Mr Truss said.
This grant is the result of an application for supplementary funding by Cooloola After Hours Medical Service from the Round the Clock Medicare grant funding.
“The Government’s Round the Clock Medicare policy is a $106 million national plan to build and strengthen after-hours care by general practitioners across Australia,” Mr Truss said.
Supplementary grants of up to $100,000 over two years are available on a competitive basis to support established after-hours services that require additional support to remain viable.
Supplementary grants may be used, for example, to provide incentives for GPs to participate on after-hours rosters, and to provide assistance for support staff.
“Australia has a strong network of GPs as our first line of treatment for illness and injury. Having more GPs available after hours further strengthens our health system,” Mr Truss said.
“The Government’s investment will ensure that as many people as possible in Gympie and surrounds will have access to high-quality care and more convenient GP services.”
Funding is dependent upon satisfactory funding agreement negotiations between Cooloola After Hours Medical Service and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
ENDS
