ACT election 2020: Walk-in centre location selection process needs to be open, medical groups say

Last week, Labor announced the first walk-in centre it would establish if re-elected would be in Coombs, co-located with the existing National Health Co-op.

In a joint statement, the Australian Medical Association, Royal Australian College of GPs, and the Capital Health Network, said they were concerned Labor had selectively chosen the provider without committing to a public tender process.

The organisations said the health co-op could gain significant commercial benefit from the arrangement.

"At a time when we should all be working towards better integration of care, the allocation of the first of the walk-in centres - without consultation of Canberra's general practitioners or our organisations - brings with it the risk of further splintering of care," the statement read.

"We know it is important that, if co-location is to proceed, that the new model of care be developed carefully and cautiously, to avoid unexpected consequences."

The statement said that given the potential commercial benefits flowing to any co-located practice, it was vital that the new walk in centres were allocated using a process that was open, public and competitive.

"Otherwise, picking winners risks not only the sustainability of general practices in the surrounding areas, but our community cannot be satisfied that the multimillion dollar expenditure of public monies is being undertaken fairly or effectively," the statement read.

The three organisations wrote to ACT Labor highlighting their concerns last week but are yet to receive a reply.

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Coombs walk-in centre was designed as a pilot program to give insight into an integrated model between walk-in centres and GPs.

"The National Health Co-op clinic was well-placed to be part of this pilot as it had a number of treatment rooms currently vacant," she said.

"The exact location of the remaining four walk-in health centres has not been decided. Labor will consult with the local communities, GPs and other health professionals to ensure each walk-in health centre caters to the needs of our diverse regions and neighbourhoods."

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The Australian Medical Association and the Royal College of GPs have long been critics of the government's nurse-led walk-in centres.

They say they are too expensive for taxpayers - at about $190 per visit - and do not deliver optimal care. They think the government would be better off incentivising GPs to bulk bill.