02 July 2010 College advocacy on behalf of members
The College continues to lobby government on issues that our members feel passionately about.
Last week, the RACGP made a submission to the Department of Health and Ageing regarding the newly developed Medicare Benefits Quality Framework. The framework is an evaluation process for MBS item numbers and is designed to provide greater transparency and a strengthened evidence base for reviewing new and existing item numbers. Changes to the MBS are crucial if Australia’s healthcare system is to continue to adapt and evolve with our ever-changing health environment. It is our patients who will benefit most from a real, lasting reform to the MBS and the College will continue to advocate for improvements. To read the RACGP’s submission, visit www.racgp.org.au/reports.
We are also working with the government to address our concerns about the proposed changes to the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) After Hours Incentive and diversion of funds from general practice to Medicare Locals. The College is disappointed at the government proposal that Tier 1 funding for after hours services will cease from July 2011, in order to provide an after hours GP telephone advice line. The government also proposes to remove Tier 2 and 3 funding from general practices from July 2013, and subsequently the responsibility for and coordination of after hours services will be assumed by Medicare Locals.
A telephone hotline will not replace GPs in their communities after hours and may fragment care, reduce patient safety, increase ‘silos’, and undermine the patient-doctor relationship. Our patients want a continuing relationship with a doctor they trust.
Australia needs a health system that supports general practice to deliver the care our communities need. Elements of the government’s recently announced policies, including after hours care, Medicare Locals, diabetes funding, and practice nurses will need to change in order to ensure general practice is properly supported to deliver our important work in the community.
M5 Project - RACGP men's health initiative helping men to help themselves
M5 encourages men and those who care about them to recognise the importance of men forming an ongoing relationship with a GP.
