Peak body for general practitioners and Bunbury-based Young Veterans want a ‘fair go’ for veterans’ health

Australia’s peak body for doctors and a Bunbury-based veteran support group have called for more to be done to treat ex-servicepeople with chronic conditions. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners called for improvements to the Coordinated Veterans’ Care Program in a recent review, suggesting more could be done to ensure they did not miss out on vital care. The program provides funding for care for veterans who are eligible for a White or Gold Card and have a chronic physical or mental health condition. A spokesperson for Bunbury-based group Young Veterans agreed more needed to be done. “There are some serious gaps in veteran health care, and from my own experience in the South West, there is a lack of education around the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” he said. “I understand there is a gap in what DVA pay GPs and what should be paid. Lots of times, the GPs are not taking on further DVA clients due to the lack of funding.” The spokesperson said young veterans in particular did not know where to start when it comes to health care issues. “Particularly in the mental health space, veterans in the South West are disadvantaged compared to others in the metro areas (where) there are more opportunities to engage with advocates or other holistic healthcare professionals,” he said. The Young Veterans spokesperson suggested GPs could be trained in the current system to better understand its complexity, and called for the RSL to be more accepting of younger ex-servicepeople. RACGP president Nicole Higgins said simple changes to the CVC program would improve access to care for more veterans. “It’s crucial that returning veterans get the care and support they need throughout their lives, and general practice is at the heart of co-ordinated care and any support work,” she said. “We’re calling for the CVC to be expanded to include White Card holders over 50 with a chronic condition so that patients can be enrolled earlier in their lives. “Currently, these patients can only access the scheme for a chronic health condition if they also have a DVA-accepted mental health issue.” Ms Higgins said the organisation recommended more funding for veterans to get the care they urgently needed, and an awareness program to promote the CVC. “These changes will increase access for veterans, and mean GPs can catch chronic disease earlier, and help patients get on top of it for better health outcomes,” she said. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs was contacted for comment.