Australia's Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services, Budget Document 1998-99. The central themes of both reviews are improving the quality in general practice, improving access for patients and financing and support for general practice. Through its response, to be released formally in June, this Government will strengthen substantially the role of general practice in the Australian health system.
General practice lies at the heart of our health system.
On average every Australian sees a GP five times a year and over 80 per cent of the community can name a GP as their family doctor. The health status of Australians is very high by international standards and general practice has been an essential part of this achievement. The reviews mark a watershed for general practice, providing a vision which will guide and support the work of the profession in the coming years. The achievement of this vision will depend, to a large extent, on building strong partnerships based on mutual trust between general practice, the community and government. In this Budget, the Government is providing the financial framework which will enable it to play its part in the partnership and safeguard the future of general practice.