He announced a new Bulk-Billing Support Initiative to help protect the cost of seeing a GP for families and households and reduce the strain on emergency departments.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found the proportion of people who reported delaying or not going to a GP due to the cost, grew to seven per cent in 2022-23, compared with 3.5 per cent in 2021-22.
The Premier said the package would protect bulk-billing by providing a new, ongoing rebate to clinics for contractor GPs who meet the bulk-billing threshold and waive past unpaid payroll tax liabilities for contractor GP at all clinics.
“We are providing an incentive for GPs statewide to bulk-bill their patients,” he said.
“We know people have been cutting back on healthcare because of affordability.
“Helping people see their GP keeps them healthier, meaning fewer presentations to our busy emergency departments.
“Incentivising GPs to bulk-bill patients is part of our plan to build a better NSW.”
NSW Health estimates that a one per cent decrease in bulk-billing equates to around 3,000 additional emergency presentations.
South Western Sydney PHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Keith McDonald, said bolstering access to bulk-billed services was welcome at a time when the cost of living was impacting access to healthcare.
