ACT WELCOMES GILLARD LABOR GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO BUILD A LOCAL GP SUPER CLINIC

ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, has welcomed today's announcement by the Gillard Labor Government to build a new GP Super Clinic in the ACT.

Labor has committed up to $15 million for the establishment of an ACT GP Super Clinic, as part of funding for additional clinics provided in the 2010-11 Federal Budget.

"As many Canberrans are aware, the ACT is experiencing a chronic shortage of general practitioners which puts pressure on the existing workforce and our hospital emergency departments," Ms Gallagher said.

"This new Super Clinic will improve access to services for local families and offer after hours services.

"The clinic will also provide another training environment for the additional nurses and GPs to come on line over the next few years thanks to increased investment by the Gillard Government.

"In light of the severe shortage of GPs in Canberra, I have been lobbying my federal counterpart for additional support and am pleased that the current Labor Government has been receptive to these approaches.

"This investment by the Gillard Government follows an additional five general practice vocational training places allocated to the ACT this year, taking the number of Canberra GP registrars in training to more than 30," Ms Gallagher said.

"The Federal Government also provided $10 million in recurrent funding over four years to help the ACT establish Australia's first public nurse-led Walk-in Centre which has now been operating successfully at the Canberra Hospital for almost three months."

Ms Gallagher said the ACT Government was also investing in the local GP workforce and primary health care services.

"A new teaching incentive payments scheme for GPs has commenced, providing GPs with financial support to help cover the costs of teaching medical students on their urban placements," Ms Gallagher said.

"A new business hours GP service for elderly housebound Canberrans or those living in residential aged care facilities is also close to being finalised.

"And the ACT Government's $4 million GP Development Fund is providing grants to medical practices for initiatives that attract and retain staff, establish new services and improve access to general practice.

"The announcement of a new Super Clinic for Canberra is welcome news and the Gillard Government should be congratulated for making this commitment to local Canberra families," she said.

Media Contact:

Kathryn Roberts 6205 0242 0402 399 907 kathryn.roberts@act.gov.au