The Albanese Government is improving access to healthcare across the country, with all states and the Northern Territory (NT) signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commonwealth to continue Medicare bulk billing services at approved hospitals and health services in rural and remote Australia.
This means more people living outside major cities can access primary health care services at sites in New South Wales, NT, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
Under this initiative, doctors, nurse practitioners, midwives and allied health professionals working in rural and remote hospitals can bulk bill Medicare for eligible primary care services.
This also means funding for additional primary care services in rural and remote communities including mental health support services, after-hours and emergency primary care, allied health, nursing, and midwifery support.
The Albanese Government recognises the challenge of recruiting and retaining primary health care workers in rural and remote communities.
This agreement provides additional support for the health sector and will ensure all Australians have access to the healthcare they need.
Hon Mark Butler MP, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, said that making sure all Australians have access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live, is an Australian Government priority.
“The signing of this agreement increases access to primary health care services for people living in rural and remote Australia,” Minister Butler said.
Hon Emma McBride MP, the Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health also added that the Albanese Government is working to improve access to healthcare for people living outside big cities so they can get the care they need when they need it.
“This agreement means people living in rural and remote communities will now have access to primary health care when they can’t get in to see their GP,” McBride said.
More information can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Original content from the Hon Mark Butler MP media page. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
