Medicare Urgent Care Clinic Promised By Coalition For Maitland

BY PETER HYSLOP

The Federal Opposition's announced they'll commit to building a new urgent care clinic for Maitland if elected.

They say incumbent Labor MP Meryl Swanson hasn't done enough to bring care to the region.

Candidate Laurence Antcliff says the community has been calling for a clinic for years.

"It has never been harder and more expensive to see a doctor across Maitland and Port Stephens," he said.

"This is something that the people of our electorate have been screaming out for, for years.

"And quite frankly, this should have been delivered in 2022," he said.

Independent Candidate Philip Penfold says it's an announcement made too late.

"When both governments and oppositions announce these things, not during the course of their term, but in the dying weeks of their term while they're campaigning for re-election, I can understand why people will be cynical about that," he said.

Liberal Candidate for Paterson Laurence Antcliff. Credit: Liberal Party

Hunter GPs Call For Better Medicare Subsidies

 BY JACK SEYMOUR

There are calls for the Federal Government to provide better medical subsidies for Hunter locals visiting a GP.

The Royal Australian College of GPs says it's proposed a plan which would halve out of pocket costs, from the average of $59 to $25.

It comes after a report found there are no bulk billed clinics across the Newcastle, Shortland and Lyne electorates.

Hunter GPs association president Dr Fiona Van Leeuwen says it's an urgent problem.

"Government rebates are really insufficient and people are being required to live on very little money," she said.

"It doesn't seem right that the Medicare rebate is the same for every person if you're on a pension or a healthcare card you can have the same Medicare rebate as somebody who's working full time."

Maitland Mayor Blasts Federal Government Over Urgent Care Clinic Petition

 BY PETER HYSLOP

A petition for a medicare urgent care clinic has been announced by Federal MP Meryl Swanson, to provide Maitland and Port Stephens residents with affordable access to health care.

But critics say access to a free clinic has been needed in the region for years.

Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold says the region already has a clinic, but it charges a high fee.

"We have a private provider... the problem is the fee is $350, and not everybody can afford that," he said.

"I'm sick and tired of the people of Maitland being sick and tired.

"If Ms Swanson supposedly had the ear of the Prime Minister, she shouldn't need a petition to get something done.

"This Government needs to step up," he said. 

 

Medicare cards. Credit: SBS

Calvary Mater After Hours Clinic to Reopen This Month

BY OLIVIA DILLON

18 months after it was forced to close, the GP Access After Hours Clinic at the Calvary Mater Hospital will reopen at the end of the month. 

The service was reduced in December 2021 due to funding shortfalls. 

The announcement comes after the Federal Government announced a record $5.5 million investment to restore GP Access to its full capacity. 

The clinic will re-open on Monday the 29th of May and will be operational on Weekdays from 6pm-10pm, from 1pm-8pm on Saturdays, and from 9am-4pm on Sundays. 

Opening hours at the GP Access Centre in Toronto will also increase on Saturdays, with the clinic operating from 1pm-8pm from June 3rd. 

Staff at Hunter Primary Care have thanked community members and Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon for their work advocating to re-establish the service.

2023 Budget Wrap-up

 BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced the Federal budget for the year ahead, with energy and Medicare coming out on top.

Leading into Tuesday night's announcement, Hunter residents were most concerned about energy, housing and the cost-of-living crisis.

 Image: Facebook

These are some of the highlights from the 2023 budget:

CLEAN ENERGY

As the country continues its transition away from fossil fuels, the new budget includes a significant investment in clean energy.

A $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Fund will be established to produce renewable hydrogen as part of the Government's bid to become a "renewable energy superpower".

ENERGY BILL RELIEF

5 million Australians will have a $500 reduction to their energy bills next year.

Those eligible will include pensioners, veterans, seniors and other concession card holders.

Recipients of Carer Allowance and Family Tax Benefits will also benefit from the scheme.

MEDICARE

A $5.7 billion investment in Medicare was announced, including a $3.5 billion incentive to triple bulk-billing for low income families.

The incentive will increase from $6.60 to $19.80.

This coming after the latest Clean Bill report revealed the Hunter had some of the lowest bulk-billing rates in New South Wales.

Vice-President of the Doctors Reform Society Dr Robert Marr praises the move.

"It's really important that people have access to GPs and it's important that Medicare bulk-billing be saved, and that's what the budget has done," he said.

RENTAL CRISIS

As the rental crisis continues to plague the Hunter, more than a million low-income earners will be eligible for rental assistance.

The Commonwealth Rent Assistance package will increase by $31 a fortnight for some recipients.

However, the changes have been criticised by Everybody's Home spokesperson Maiy Azize.

"Those who do get a small increase will find that it has been swallowed by surging rents," she said.

SINGLETON AND MUSWELLBROOK BYPASS

Although not mentioned in the budget, the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses will go ahead, Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi has confirmed.

"Which is great news for the residents of the Hunter," he said.

These projects have expected completion dates of 2026 and 2027; however, this is weather dependent.

Government Saves Medicare Bulk Billing

BY DANEIE GEDDES

In last nights budget, the Federal Government finally delivered long-awaited Medicare funding to maintain and improve access to bulk billing.

The Government tripled the Medicare Bulk Billing incentive from $6.60 to $19.80.

Last year, GPs across the Hunter began ceasing bulk billing due to the under funding of Medicare. 

Healthcare providers in the Hunter have been calling for an increase after the latest Clean Bill report revealed the Hunter had some of the worst bulk billing rates in NSW.

Vice President of the Doctors Reform Society Dr Robert Marr said the move has saved affordable access to healthcare in the Hunter. 

"The saving of Medicare bulk billing will reduce unnecessary suffering and even deaths that would have occurred if patients could not afford to go to the doctor," Dr Marr said.  

"So many patients will be relieved at the change, as for months they have been chasing a bulk billing clinic they can afford, where they can get consistent care from a doctor they have known for years," he said. 

Last month in Newcastle, of the 45 GP clinics across the city, none offered bulk billing.

The increase is a major advance for healthcare in the Hunter and will support free and consistent GP visits, reducing financial stress for Hunter residents. 

"The long term changes will take years to have benefits but there is pleasingly a lot of good ideas the Government is working through with a clear reformist agenda," Dr Marr said. 

The Doctors Reform Society is welcoming the Government's efforts to provide more funding to improve access to affordable GP visits across the Hunter. 

New Urgent Care Clinic Announced for Cessnock

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic has been announced for Cessnock. 

Expressions of Interest are now open for the clinic, which will provide bulk billed treatment for non-life threatening emergencies. 

It would be open seven days a week for extended hours, for residents seeking treatment outside hospital emergency rooms. 

It's hoped, the clinic will help take the pressure off Hospitals in Cessnock, Kurri Kurri, Maitland, and Singleton, as well as the John Hunter. 

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi, says Hunter residents should be able to access to top quality healthcare. 

"Ever since I started campaigning to try and win this election, that's what people have been telling me the most; how hard it is to get in to see a doctor, how hard it is to actually pay for appointments."

Expression of Interest submissions for the clinic will close on the 12th of April.