Right now, there are zero 100% free regular doctors’ clinics in Tasmania.
Tasmanians need cost of living relief and more access to the health care they need. This plan from Labor will deliver both.
Our Urgent Care Clinics are great – but they are for urgent care – not regular doctor services.
A Dean Winter Labor Government will start TassieDoc – to give Tasmanians a Fresh Start and ensure they can see a regular doctor for free.
We will open five new, 100% free, fully bulk-billed doctors’ clinics across the state. These clinics will be in the North, North-West and South, where there is a clear community need.
They will be supported by Federal Labor’s increased investment in Medicare and the Tasmanian Government will run them and provide extra support.
We’ll provide the clinic and consulting rooms, and they’ll be staffed by doctors who will 100% bulk bill. All Tasmanians will need is their Medicare card.
These clinics will operate with extended hours including evenings and weekends – in person or via telehealth – to ensure Tasmanians can make the most of them.
We know that a doctor shortage is part of the problem, so we’ll also provide incentives for 150 additional doctors to live and work in Tasmania. Practices will receive grants to take on and retain doctors – helping to grow our local health workforce in both urban and rural communities.
The first TassieDoc clinics will be operating before the end of the year – because after 11 years of the Liberals, Tasmanians shouldn’t have to wait any longer to see a doctor for free.
Quotes attributable to RACGP Deputy Chair Dr Tim Jones:
"By boosting access to general practice care in these communities, patients can get the care they need, when they need it. GPs relieve pressure on the entire healthcare system; we stop small health problems becoming much larger ones requiring hospital care.
Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Minister for Health
