17 October 2024
More affordable and accessible healthcare
A re-elected Labor Government will deliver more affordable, accessible healthcare for Canberrans.
Labor will open four new health centres across the ACT to deliver public health services, closer to home. Each centre will be staffed by nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, ensuring Canberrans get the care they need.
We’ll expand our nurse-led Walk-in Centres of the ACT to provide free mental health support. Specially trained nurses will provide treatment to support people presenting with mental concerns with their physical and mental health needs.
We will also provide imaging services at the Belconnen Walk-in Centre to improve access to public imaging services for Northside residents.
Labor recognises the important role community pharmacists play in our health system. They are trusted, valued and easily accessible.
That’s why we’ll expand the scope of practice for pharmacists, enabling them to treat more everyday conditions and prescribe essential medicines. This will provide Canberrans with easier access to more healthcare options.
Labor is committed to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.
Our bulk billing fund will support new and existing practices to offer bulk-billing, particularly for children. We will assist new bulk-billing practices to open in the ACT and help existing ones expand.
We will review after-hours access to primary care, including through the Canberra After Hours Locum Service (CALMS) to support more bulk billed services after hours.
This will help families with rising cost pressures and ensure they can access vital primary health care.
This is in addition to establishing nurse clinics in our public schools, expanding women’s health and chronic pain services, and hiring more specialists across our hospitals.
Labor will always invest in free public health care to provide Canberrans with the right healthcare, in the right place and at the right time.
It’s all part of our progressive, practical and proven plan for Canberra.
Statement ends
Media contact:
Kaarin Dynon 0422 772 215 [email protected]
