THERE is no reduction in "overall funding" for after hours care and any claim to the contrary is "categorically false", a spokesperson for the federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says.
Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon raised concerns that a drop from $71.9 to $56 million for after hours services nationally in the 2022 federal budget could put the Hunter's GP Access service in jeopardy.
But a spokesperson for the Minister said funding for Primary Health Networks (PHN) to continue to deliver the After Hours program "will not change".
She said out of 31 PHNs nationally, Hunter New England Central Coast (HNECC) received the most funding through the After Hours Program - $1.7 million more than the amount calculated via the program's funding formula.
"In 2020-21, HNECC PHN's contract with Hunter Primary Care, which operates GP Access, was worth $4.5 million. This included a one off additional payment of $410,500 in recognition of the smaller contribution to the service from the NSW Government and reduced revenue raised by the clinics from MBS rebates due to reduced service demand.
"The Morrison Government has committed $56 million in the 2022-23 Federal Budget, extending the After Hours program for a further 12 months to 30 June 2023."
The spokesperson said the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of permanent MBS telehealth items had transformed the way Australians accessed primary health care services.
"In 2020-21 over 38.8 million GP consultations were delivered via telehealth and increased access to telehealth - in hours and after hours - has had a significant effect on demand for after hours care. In 2020-21, the number of face-to-face MBS items claimed in the after hours period (8.3 million) was 24 per cent lower than in 2019-20. The extension of the PHNAHP by an additional year will provide further time to understand the impacts of MBS telehealth on the provision of after hours services and the longer term design of the program.
"The Morrison Government continues to deliver on its commitment to ensuring all Australians can access health services, treatment and medicines when and where they need them."
Labor is expected to question the Health Minister about perceived cuts to after hours care in Senate estimates on Friday.
