THE Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling for increased government support for longer consultations and GP home visits, saying both are crucial to improving healthcare access for people with disability.
New guidance released by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing reinforces the need to ensure everyone can access essential services, including healthcare and education.
Associate Professor Joel Rhee, who is working with RACGP President Dr Michael Wright on a large-scale study of GP home visits, said home-based care remains vital for patients who cannot easily attend a clinic – particularly older adults, people with disability and those needing palliative care.
“Home visits allow continuity of care and help address mobility barriers, which are critical for these groups,” Dr Rhee said.
“They also reveal invaluable information on the patient’s social context.”
However, he warned that the availability of home visits has been eroding for decades. In 1994, GPs conducted about 3.9 million home visits nationwide. By 2024, that number had fallen to just over half a million – an 85 per cent drop, despite an ageing population and rising rates of chronic illness.
“Telehealth has helped in some ways, but there are things you simply can’t do over the phone – physical examination, immunisations, and the comprehensive care that vulnerable patients often need,” he said.
Dr Rhee said funding remains one of the biggest barriers.
Current Medicare rebates provide just over $30 for travel – an amount expected to cover unlimited travel time and transport costs. If multiple patients are seen, the payment must be shared between them.
“Better remuneration and resourcing are the low-hanging fruit,” he said.
“A healthier future would see home visits targeted to those who require them – older adults, people with disability, and those with end-of-life care needs.”
He emphasised that home visits should complement, not replace, telehealth – with in-person care still essential for many clinical needs.
