A delegation of Western Australian general practitioners (GPs) is set to converge on the WA Parliament today, offering not only health assessments for politicians but also a blueprint for addressing the state’s healthcare challenges. Representing the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), the seven-member team aims to demonstrate how enhancing access to general practice can alleviate the burden on hospitals.
As part of their initiative, the GPs will conduct risk assessments for diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol, while advocating for key measures to improve healthcare delivery. These measures are designed to reduce ambulance ramping and hospital readmissions, which have become critical issues in the region.
Proposed Measures to Enhance Healthcare
The delegation is calling for the implementation of four strategic measures:
- Reduce Hospital Readmissions: Incentivize GP consultations within a week of a patient’s discharge from the hospital. Research indicates that such visits can reduce readmissions by up to 32%.
- Expand After-Hours Care: Enable more Western Australians to receive non-urgent, routine care from their GP after hours. Funding to cover additional costs, including staffing, would facilitate this access.
- Free Access to Vaccines: Provide free RSV and Meningococcal B vaccines to save lives and reduce other healthcare costs.
- Appoint a Chief GP Advisor: This role would enhance collaboration between hospitals and primary care, breaking down silos and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Ramya Raman, RACGP WA Chair and Vice President, emphasized the potential impact of these measures. “There are issues across the health system, but with relatively small investments, WA’s GPs can alleviate a lot of the challenges in our hospitals,” she stated.
Addressing Ambulance Ramping and Readmissions
Ambulance ramping, a significant concern, saw patients waiting over 30 minutes to be received at WA hospitals for more than 7,000 hours across July, August, and September. Dr. Raman highlighted that “up to one in seven hospital discharges results in an unplanned readmission within 28 days.” She argues that encouraging patients to see a GP shortly after discharge could significantly reduce these numbers.
“Imagine how much extra hospital capacity we would have if we reduced readmissions by giving more people access to follow-up care from a GP who knows them,” Dr. Raman suggested.
Moreover, data indicates that 350,000 potentially avoidable emergency department visits last year could have been managed by GPs. With 60% of people accessing after-hours care in the past five years, introducing After-Hours GP Grants could offset the costs of extended hours, ensuring more patients receive timely care.
Breaking Down Healthcare Silos
The current healthcare system in WA is characterized by a division of responsibilities, with the state government overseeing hospitals and the federal government managing primary care. This separation often leads to missed opportunities for patient care. Dr. Raman advocates for appointing a Chief GP Advisor to identify local opportunities for a more integrated and patient-centered health system.
“Our message is that GPs can reduce pressure on the rest of the system,” Dr. Raman reiterated.
Vaccination Access and Public Health
Dr. Raman also called for expanded access to vaccines, particularly for Meningococcal B and RSV. She pointed out that the cost of the MenB vaccine, approximately $200 per dose, is prohibitive for many families. In contrast, South Australia’s publicly funded vaccination program has reduced Meningococcal B rates by 73% among babies and 76% among adolescents.
“Meningococcal B is no less deadly than strains for which vaccination is free,” Dr. Raman noted. “Everyone deserves to be protected.”
RSV poses a significant risk for vulnerable adults, especially seniors. Vaccination is recommended for those aged 75 or older, or over 60 with risk factors. However, the cost remains a barrier for many.
The GPs’ visit to Parliament underscores a critical juncture in WA’s healthcare landscape, where strategic investments in primary care could yield substantial benefits for the entire system. As policymakers consider these proposals, the potential for improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital pressures remains a compelling argument for change.
