Medicare taskforce urged to let patients see nurses, physiotherapists or counsellors instead of GPs

Allied health groups say allowing people to see other practitioners in first instance would reduce load on doctors

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Allied health groups are urging the federal government to consider new Medicare funding models to let patients see nurses, physiotherapists or counsellors as their first point of call, saying overcrowded GPs with long waiting lists cannot remain as the sole entry point for the medical system.

Labor's strengthening medicare taskforce, to report within weeks, is expected to recommend major changes to health funding and expanding rebates to more services. Several taskforce members outside general practice, including the Allied Health Professionals Australia national chair, Antony Nicholas, said a shortage of GPs means people need more access points to receive care.

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