WA after-hours GP clinic secures funding extension after community push
02 Jun 2026
The Albany After Hours GP Clinic had previously been advised its Federal funding would end on 30 June 2026, raising concerns the service would shut down.
The clinic was originally launched in 2018 as a trial by the Albany Afterhours GP Collaborative, a group of local general practices aimed at reducing pressure on the nearby Albany Health Campus emergency department. It has since continued operating with rotating GPs from across the region.
The community has now been reassured, with Albany Mayor Greg Stocks confirming the clinic will remain open after receiving funding in the 2026–27 Federal Budget. He said the service plays a key role in supporting urgent care needs, particularly given the area’s ageing population and seasonal winter pressures.
RACGP Vice President and WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman welcomed the decision, saying after-hours care is an essential part of general practice and helps reduce strain on hospitals. She said the clinic also supports continuity of care, with consultation notes sent back to patients’ regular GPs.
Dr Raman said advocacy from the RACGP, local MPs and GPs helped highlight the importance of maintaining funding, particularly for regional services.
While the funding extension has been welcomed, she warned it only provides short-term stability, making long-term workforce planning and service delivery more difficult for rural clinics.
She also said improving after-hours access should focus on supporting existing general practices rather than creating parallel urgent care services, arguing that continuity and communication with regular GPs is essential for patient safety.
The clinic treated more than 2,300 patients in 2025 at a cost of under $500,000, according to local representatives.
WA after-hours GP clinic secures funding extension after community push
Source: newsGP / RACGP