DOCTORS’ fees are likely to rise by up to $15, following a meeting of Canberra GPs on Thursday night protesting at the impost of additional payroll tax. 

AMA president Prof Walter Abhayaratna said: “Everything we’ve heard from GPs and patients about the negative impact the new ‘patient tax’ will have has been reinforced by the latest survey of GP practices and practice  principals.” 

The survey, undertaken by AMA ACT, showed that 80 per cent of respondent practices were likely to increase their private billing fees if they did not receive  an exemption from the new tax, while  26 per cent would consider closing their practice and 47 per cent would consider selling. 

Prof Abhayaratna said: “The survey results represent a serious challenge for the ACT government with there being every likelihood that patients are the ones who will be  paying the new tax. 

“Of considerable concern is the fact that some practice owners are looking at closing their  practices or selling. With Canberra already having the lowest ratio of GPs to population of any Australian city, we can ill afford to lose any practices or GPs. 

“Finally, it’s clear that the patients can expect to see an increase in the $10-$15 range for  private billings as the new tax is passed through.” 

“Let’s not forget general practices already pay payroll tax on their employees, including  receptionists, GPs in training and nurses. The ACT government’s new tax has not  previously applied to GPs because most work under independent agreements, leasing  rooms and services from a practice owner and working independently.  

“Unintended consequences often occur when governments don’t understand how general  practice works and our concern is that both GPs and their patients now face this situation  with the ACT government. 

“Canberra is one of the most expensive cities to run a GP practice, and practices run on very thin margins, and we know from the survey that the vast majority will be forced to  pass this extra tax on to patients. 

“This is the last thing people need in a cost-of-living crisis;  it will put more pressure on the territory’s hospitals and cost the ACT government much more in the long run.”