The Independents for Canberra party has topped the AMA’s election Health Report Card with a score for its election policies of 79/100.

This was in contrast to the Labor and Greens rating of 55/100 apiece. The Canberra Liberals scored 63/100.

“Doctors are on the front lines of our health system every day, and they have a unique  perspective on what works and what doesn’t,” said AMA ACT president Dr Kerrie Aust.  

“Our Report Card aims to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the health policies on offer this election, so voters can make informed decisions at the polls.” 

The key findings are: 

• Independents for Canberra topped the Health Report Card with a score of 79/100  focusing on supporting GPs, clearing the elective surgery backlog and developing a  strategic vision of integrated care. 
• The Canberra Liberals came in second with a score of 63/100, including a commitment to abolish payroll tax for GPs, support young doctors in training and further develop healthcare infrastructure. 
• ACT Labor scored 55/100 again emphasising support for general practice, health infrastructure and specific service improvements to Women’s Health and a major boost to palliative care. 
• The ACT Greens also received a score of 55/100 with policies aimed at improving mental health services and supporting GPs to develop their skills. 

Dr Aust said: “The Health Report Card emphasises the ongoing workforce shortages, with the ACT having the lowest rate of GPs per capita of any jurisdiction other than the NT and suffering from shortages of public hospital doctors.  

“Health policy is about people, not just infrastructure or technology. It’s about ensuring  the people who provide care are supported and valued.  

“While the parties have announced several policies aimed at strengthening our workforce, more needs to be done.” 

She said the Report Card highlighted that ACT Labor planned to employ 800 more health workers, build the new Northside  Hospital, and expand community health services, but lacked specificity on how these  plans would address the current workforce crisis. 

The Canberra Liberals proposed abolishing payroll tax for GPs, increasing  education allowances for medical registrars, and conducting a royal commission into the ACT health system.

ACT Greens’ focus was on expanding mental health services, including four new healthcare centres, and making emergency ambulance services free. 

Independents for Canberra were proposing to clear 75 per cent of the elective surgery waitlist within 12 months and implementing a co-designed retention and burnout prevention strategy for existing GPs.