Boosting access to primary care in Northern Tasmania

The Tasmanian Government is expanding access to primary care services in Northern Tasmania, with an important development at Beaconsfield helping the local community access care from a GP sooner.

Beaconsfield Family Medical Practice today opened new, expanded patient facilities, funded through a Tasmanian Liberal Government grant program.

As the recipient of $500,000 through the GP Sustainability and Viability Initiative, Beaconsfield Family Medical Practice has almost doubled its patient consulting spaces, increasing from four to seven consultation rooms.

The expansion will increase the practice’s daily patient consultation capacity and enable it to accommodate medical students and registrars as part of its workforce.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said our Government is supporting access to primary care in rural and regional parts of the State. 

“We are delivering on a 2024 State Election commitment to provide GP clinics the opportunity to apply for multi-year funding for projects that support the viability of eligible practices in regional, rural and outer-urban parts of Tasmania,” Minister Archer said.

“Last February, we awarded nearly $2 million to six GP clinics across the State for a range of projects, including expanding practice infrastructure, new ICT and medical equipment, and staff training and development.

“I’m delighted to officially open Beaconsfield Family Medical Practice’s new and expanded facilities today, which have been delivered utilising the grant funding."

Liberal Member for Rosevears, Jo Palmer, said the upgrade has supported the medical practice to almost double its patient consulting spaces.

“The upgrades will enable the Practice to employ more staff and deliver more care to the Beaconsfield community, sooner – exactly what the grant program was designed for,” Minister Palmer said.

“Our Liberal Government is delivering for the West Tamar by investing in the health services the community needs.”

Although primary care is the responsibility of the Australian Government, the Tasmanian Government is continuing to support GP practices to improve access to services within our communities.