RACGP ad campaign urges government to fund healthcare this election

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched an ad campaign for the upcoming federal election, calling for patients to have access to high-quality healthcare.

The RACGP represents over 40,000 doctors and is the peak body for general practice.

Patients watching the ad at the campaign launch

“General practice needs to see a solid commitment from all political parties this election if we want to make sure that a patient can see a GP when they need to, not when they can afford to,” Dr Harry Nespolon, president of the RACGP, said.

“As a GP for over 20 years, the last thing I ever want to do is turn away a patient because they cannot afford it, but if something doesn’t change soon that is going to become a reality.

“I got into medicine because I wanted to help my community –not to keep an eye on the clock or struggle to maintain financial viability.”

Dr Harry Nespolon

Dr Nespolon added that despite Medicare, some patients with complex conditions are being forced to decide whether they can afford a doctor’s visit.

“Something needs to change, and fast. As Australians, we have a sense of making sure no one goes without, we are not America,” he said.

The president of the RACGP went on to explain that nearly 90% of Australians visit a GP each year, but general practice only receives 7.4% of government health expenditure.

“That is why, as a profession we are standing up and saying that enough is enough. Patients need to know that because of decisions made by successive governments, more and more Australians cannot afford to see their doctor,” Dr Nespolon said.

“The evidence is in. The more time spent with your GP the better your health is.”

Credits:

Client: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Amanda Weavers – National Manager, Brand & Marketing
Creative: The Shannon Company
James Shannon – Creative
Kim Hellier
Director: Aleksi Vellis