Australia Overnight with Clinton Maynard 2GB

Clinton is joined by Dr Nicole Higgins, president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners who are calling for changes to after-hours care so that more patients across Australia can get the care they need, when they need it.

It comes following the College’s submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Review of After Hours Primary Care Policies and Programs, which is investigating general practice care after-hours services and what needs to change.

In May 2023, the Albanese Government announced new changes to after-hours care through Primary Health Networks, or PHNs, and Healthdirect. However, RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said that further enhancements were needed.

“More must be done to help patients get the after-hours care they need,” she said.

“Funding drives results. By supporting GPs to provide this care, we can expand what we do, and keep more patients out of hospital. By allowing GPs to claim after-hours rebates from 6pm on weeknights and 12pm on Saturdays for services delivered in the practice, we can enable more practices to remain open longer."

"In my home of Mackay, there was previously an after-hours clinic that provided 24 hour care. However, after the Government made changes to the funding model, it’s now operated by emergency doctors, costs patients three times as much, and closes at 10pm. So, getting the funding model right is vital.”
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinton Maynard’s weekly talk with Leith Van Onselen, Chief Economist at the MB Fund &  Co-founder of Macrobusiness, to dissect the politics behind Australia’s economy.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinton is joined by Barry Urquhart, a business strategist and consumer analyst at Marketing Focus, about whether there is a future for small, family-based businesses in Australia?

Mr Urquhart reveals that the majority of Australia's 2.5 million small businesses are family-owned and operated, many of which are micro-sized with five or fewer employees.

The COVID lockdowns, coupled with current cost-of-living and business challenges, have severely impacted this sector. Aging business owners face daunting realities:


Small business values have declined or disappeared.
Retirement plans are postponed.
Succession within families is uncertain.
Cash-flow problems and squeezed margins have dampened enthusiasm.
Technological advances have made many products and services obsolete. Decisions ahead are tough and critical.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinton Maynard’s weekly political chat with Terry Barnes – Columnist, political and policy consultant & former Howard government adviser.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinton Maynard chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for June 20th.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinton Maynard’s weekly chat with U.K. correspondent Enda Brady about what's making news in the United Kingdom.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.