She said patients on the Central Coast were benefiting from the Government’s commitment to Medicare with the national GP bulk billing rate for the September quarter increasing to a record 85.9 per cent.
“This is the highest bulk billing rate ever achieved for a September quarter.”
In the electorate of Robertson, the bulk billing rate for patients visiting their GP is 86.2% – which is higher than the national average. In Dobell, at the northern end of the Central Coast, the figure is almost 91%.
Ms Wicks revealed the figures in Parliament today recently.
“This means that more people on the Central Coast—including people who live in Woy Woy, Erina, Gosford, Davistown, Kariong and Terrigal—can visit their doctor without having to reach for their wallet,” Mrs Wicks said.
“We are spending more than ever before on Medicare, with record funding each year. It's growing—from $23B in 2017-18 to $24B, to $26B, and to $28B in 2020-21.
“In my electorate we can also point to the massive, $45m investment that this Government has committed to the world-class Central Coast Medical School and Health and
Medical Research Institute, which will be a game changer for our region – an $85M partnership between this Government, the NSW Government and the University of Newcastle.
“We also recently announced funding for a new prostate cancer nurse based at the Central Coast Cancer Centre at Gosford Hospital.”
