Territorians will soon have improved access to their local GP, following the opening today of the Federal Government’s $220 million Strengthening Medicare – GP Grants Program.
Under the program, eligible GP practices in the Northern Territory, as well as Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), can apply for grants of up to $35,000 to make improvements across areas such as infection control, accreditation and digital health.
NT PHN CEO, Gill Yearsley, welcomed today’s announcement by Australian Health Minister, Mark Butler, saying the grants would provide much needed relief to NT GP practices.
“Our hard-working GPs and GP Practices have been through turbulent times following the COVID-19 pandemic and these grants will help our practices expand their capacity to meet current demand,” she said.
“By providing greater access and better care to patients, these grants will ensure Territorians can have access to affordable health care when and where they need it, without placing further strain on our hospital system.
“This is a huge boost for our local GP practices as well as our Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, who provide vital care to some of our most vulnerable Territorians in remote communities across the NT.”
The grants will be provided depending on accredited GP practice size, with smaller practices such as those in the NT, eligible for grants of $25,000 or $35,000. GP practices and ACCHOs not currently accredited against the RACGP standards will be eligible for $25,000.
The grants can be used to make investments in innovation, training, equipment, and minor capital works in one or more of the three investment streams below:
- Enhance digital health capability
- Upgrade infection prevention and control arrangements
- Maintain and/or achieve accreditation against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices (5th edition).
The grants will be delivered through NT PHN and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
Over the coming weeks, NT PHN and NACCHO will be sending letters directly to eligible practices inviting participation in the Grants Program.
Applications to the GP Grants Program close on 15 June 2023.
