The Turnbull Government’s destruction of the highly respected BEACH GP research project is a major blow to the cause of evidence-based health policy.
The closure of the Family Medicine Research Centre at the University of Sydney is a direct result of the Turnbull Government’s decision to withdraw $300,000 in funding.
With a stroke of a pen, the Turnbull Government has terminated 18 years of continuous and highly respected research into primary care.
In 2014 BEACH data highlighted the disastrous consequences for general practice of the Abbott Government’s $7 GP Tax, and in recent weeks, how the Turnbull Government’s Medicare Freeze would be even more damaging for patients.
The Department of Health justified its decision to pulled funding for the BEACH budget because is claimed a “refreshed approach” was needed to primary care research.
However, it’s clear that this short-sighted decision will deprive Australia of a badly needed, and highly respected independent source of health data.
Authorised by G. Wright, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Ave, Barton, ACT 2600