NSW GPs Launch Election Platform Calling For GPs In Schools & More After-Hours Appointments

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has launched its 2027 NSW State Election Platform, calling on all parties to back a host of demands intended to cut specialist wait times, ease pressure on hospitals, and make healthcare more affordable.

Among the reforms NSW GPs are seeking are: the funding of GPs in schools, so children can access earlier care for ADHD, developmental, and behavioural concerns; the establishment of pathways for patients to access specialist care earlier using GPs with Special Interests; the placing of General Practice Liaison Officers in each of the state’s Local Health Districts to reduce unnecessary referrals to hospitals; and expanding after-hours general practice.

GPs’ Call For More Privileges Follows Success Of Recent ADHD Reforms

The demands build directly on NSW’s recent ADHD reforms, enabling GPs to diagnose and treat the disorder without requiring patients to wait for specialist appointments, which are often exorbitantly priced.

According to RACGP NSW & ACT Chair Dr Bek Hoffman, these ADHD reforms are proof GPs can provide faster, effective, and often cheaper access to healthcare for patients and reduce pressure on NSW’s health system, if only they are permitted.

“Our patients are waiting too long for many non-GP specialist services,” Hoffman said. “Compared with a decade ago, there are fewer available hospital beds, more patients waiting too long for care, and higher hospital spending without better results. 

“While continued investment in hospitals remains essential, a stronger primary care system is critical to improving health outcomes. GPs have shown we can turn that around – just look at what we’ve been able to do for patients with ADHD in a year.

“Almost 28,000 people have received a script from a GP since the reforms began. That’s almost 28,000 people who can now access treatment through general practice, reducing their reliance on hard-to-get specialist appointments.

“NSW’s ADHD reforms show what’s possible when GPs are empowered to provide more care. Our election platform builds on that success to improve patient access and ease pressure on hospitals. ADHD could be just the beginning.”

Accordingly, RACGP is calling on the NSW Government to once again expand GP responsibilities and privileges.

“Patients shouldn’t bounce between disconnected services or wait months for care a GP with the right training and skills could safely provide in the community,” said Hoffman.

“At the 2027 state election, every party has an opportunity to take that success further and build a health system that is easier for patients to access, more efficient for clinicians and more sustainable for NSW.”