The Albanese Government is making the single largest investment in Medicare since its creation over 40 years ago with our $8.5 billion package delivering on our commitment for more bulk billing and more doctors for all Australians.
Residents in Cardiff and surrounds now have access to more bulk billed GP visits close to home.
The Cardiff General Practice has become a fully bulk billing practice with patients now only needing to bring their Medicare card to standard GP appointments.
The move from mixed billing to bulk billing is benefitting the local community who were previously paying a gap to visit the Practice.
Bulk billing incentives are now being paid to GPs at Cardiff General Practice for every patient they bulk bill. Previously these incentives were only available to children under 16 and concession card holders.
Cardiff General Practice is one of over 1,100 GP practices in NSW that have signed up to become Medicare Bulk Billing Practices.
Our Government’s record investment will mean 9 out of 10 GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030, boosting the number of fully bulk billed practices to around 4,800 nationally – triple the current number.
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Mark Butler:
“Labor built Medicare, and we are strengthening it for all Australians.
“I want everyone in the Lake Macquarie and Central Coast region to know they only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, to receive the health care they need.
“Delivering on this election commitment lifts up our entire nation and ensures no one is held back, and no one is left behind.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy MP:
“I commend the staff at Cardiff General Practice who were quick off the mark to join the Albanese Government’s expanded bulk billing incentive from day one.
“It’s great news for people who need to see their local GP and can now do so without having to worry about the cost of their appointment.
“After almost a decade of cuts and neglect by the previous Liberal Governments, I know it has been hard to find a bulk billing GP in Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast.
“This is just the start of more GP practices in the Shortland electorate working towards full bulk billing for the benefit of the local community.”
Quotes attributable to Cardiff Practice Manager Angela Kirkpatrick:
“Cardiff General Practice was established in 1978, so we have cared for multiple generations of our local community - and our patients are not just a number to us.
“We have always tried to consider each patient’s individual situation when billing and we have always bulk billed pensioners and children aged under 16 years.
“Our commitment to bulk billing throughout the years has seen us lose GPs to private billing practices, and combined with the rising costs of providing these services, that commitment has seen us risk our business to maintain a high bulk billing rate.
“We are delighted to be able to offer our patients 100% bulk billing on all Medicare eligible services. It will allow us to reconnect with our community, and the bulk billing incentive will reduce some of the financial strain of just keeping the doors open.
“We are grateful to have a Federal Member who maintains a close connection with the local electorate and is aware of the challenges it faces daily.”