The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) welcomes the Federal Government Budget announcement that includes measures to boost access to health care and significantly expand the GP workforce, as well as cheaper payments for PBS listed medicines.
Access to primary health care is essential to support people’s health needs, manage their wellbeing and connect to other services. Primary health care is particularly important in providing education about preventive health and managing chronic diseases such as asthma and other respiratory conditions. While prevention didn’t feature significantly in the Budget announcement, the NAC welcomes the increased focus on primary health care.
Many of the Federal Government’s commitments such as investing $662.6 million in the primary healthcare workforce, supporting the training of GPs and expanding the GP workforce, availability of more bulk-billed GP appointments and the introduction of 50 more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will significantly improve access to health care for people with asthma. Many of these new clinics will be established in regional areas which will increase access to essential care where it is needed most.
These investments will improve the care, treatment and management of asthma, reducing the need for emergency department presentations and relieving pressure on the hospital system for conditions that can be treated effectively in primary care.
Reducing the cost of medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to $25 per script will make asthma treatment more affordable, alleviating cost of living pressures and contributing to better health outcomes.
The $157 million investment in tobacco and e-cigarettes control is also welcome, to counter illicit tobacco and vaping supply and reduce accessibility.
We look forward to the implementation of these measures and urge the Federal Government to increase funding for training and education programs that ensure primary health care workers have access to evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and management of people with asthma.
