MEDIA RELEASE: Financial Boost for Local Medical Practices

Doctors who work in general practice (GPs) work hard to keep all Australians healthy and well in the community, and to deliver care that meets the needs of people and communities at all stages of life.

To help strengthen general practice and support our hard-working GPs grants are being provided to all general practices to make investments in innovation, training, equipment, and minor capital works.

The $220 million Strengthening Medicare – General Practice (GP) Grants Program will allow all general practices to expand patient access and improve their services. Our general practices provide some of the best care in world and these grants will enable them to:

1. Enhance their digital health capability.
2. Upgrade infection prevention and control arrangements
3. Maintain and/or achieve accreditation.

These grants will help improve practices and ensure people in Central and Eastern Sydney can continue accessing safe, quality, and affordable healthcare.

Grants will be provided depending on GP practice size, with smaller practices eligible for grants of $25,000 or $35,000 and larger practices eligible for grants of $50,000. GP practices not currently accredited against the RACGP standards will be eligible for grants of $25,000.

The Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) is pleased to work with the Commonwealth to deliver these grants. CESPHN will be sending letters directly to general practices inviting participation in the GP Grants Program.

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN CEO Nathalie Hansen said:

“General practice needs greater support and it’s time to give back after the amazing work that our GPs provided during the pandemic. Our primary health network will work hard to ensure these grants go to general practices quickly without any red tape – we want to make it easy for general practices to apply and receive their funding so they can invest in ways that continue to improve the care they provide to their patients”.

Dr Michael Wright – Local GP and Chair of the CESPHN Board said:

“These grants will provide a much needed financial boost to general practices who are feeling burnt out and demoralised by increasing workloads and inadequate Medicare rebates through the pandemic. These grants are a great Government initiative which go some way to recognising the crucial work of practices in supporting the health of our community. These grants are a step in the right direction and will support practices to invest in the things they need to better deliver care”.

Read full media release now.

About Central and Eastern Sydney PHN:

Primary health networks (PHNs) support primary care in Australia through practice improvement, local health system integration and the commissioning of health services in the community that address identified gaps and needs in their local area. The core purpose of Central and Eastern Sydney PHN is to improve and transform primary health care in the region, which stretches from Strathfield to Sutherland, east to the coastline, and also includes Lord Howe Island.