As a local general practitioner, I note Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon's recent request to myself and my colleagues from the floor of Parliament to bulk bill more of my patients.
I am a sole trader GP. A bulk billed standard consultation, even with the triple bulk bill incentive, is a 28 per cent reduction in income from the same privately billed consultation at full fee. The only way I am paid, the only way I can feed my children and pay my mortgage, is patient fees. From that fee, I also pay all the other non-medical staff of the practice, and for the rent of the room. Like other casual employees and sole traders, I do not have annual leave, sick leave, worker's compensation, employer superannuation or a parliamentary pension.
