RACGP wants more GPs available in NSW schools
09 Nov 2026
The RACGP is calling on NSW leaders to introduce a school-based GP program so children can access physical and mental healthcare more easily.
The proposal is part of the college’s 2027 NSW State Election Platform, launched in Sydney ahead of the state election in March next year.
Alongside the school-based initiative, the RACGP has outlined several other healthcare priorities. These include:
- Creating better access to GPs with special interests in areas such as skin health, children's health, women's health, obesity, aged care and ear, nose and throat conditions.
- Appointing General Practice Liaison Officers across Local Health Districts to reduce unnecessary hospital specialist referrals and support earlier hospital discharge.
- Expanding community-based treatment, team-based care, vaccination services and after-hours general practice to ease pressure on NSW hospitals.
The college also wants to build on recent changes that allow more GPs to care for patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
RACGP NSW and ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said the ADHD reforms had shown how GPs could improve access to treatment when given greater opportunities to provide care.
She said many patients were still waiting too long for specialist appointments. She also highlighted growing pressure on hospitals, including fewer available beds and increasing healthcare costs.
Dr Hoffman said almost 28,000 people had received an ADHD prescription from a GP since the reforms began, giving more patients access to treatment through general practice.
The proposed GPs in Schools pilot would operate across 20 schools in disadvantaged NSW communities.
According to the RACGP, the program would help students access healthcare earlier while building stronger connections between families, schools, general practices and local health services.
The college said delays in identifying physical and mental health concerns could allow conditions to worsen and lead to more complex treatment. Poor access to healthcare can also affect school attendance and educational outcomes.
The proposed program would build on an existing school-based healthcare model in Eden, in southern NSW.
Dr Corin Miller, a Rural Generalist and GP with special interests in ADHD and paediatrics based near Merimbula, said the Eden program had demonstrated the value of bringing healthcare directly to students.
She said only half of the students who accessed the school GP already had a regular GP.
Helping families connect with a local general practice also made it easier for children to access developmental assessments and other healthcare services.
Dr Miller added that providing care in the right place and at the right time could benefit students, families and teachers by helping reduce teacher burnout.
The NSW State Election is scheduled for 13 March 2027.
RACGP wants more GPs available in NSW schools
Source: RACGP / 2027 NSW State Election Platform