16 July 2010 After hours practice incentive payments
The College continues to discuss with the government, members’ concerns about the proposed changes to the Practice Incentives Program After Hours Incentive and the 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 starting July 2011 in order to provide an after hours GP telephone advice line. The government also proposes to remove Tier 2 and Tier 3 funding from general practices from July 2013. Subsequently, the responsibility for, and coordination of, after hours services will be assumed by Medicare Locals.
While the College supports the expansion of the after hours telephone advice line for the provision of telephone medical advice, a telephone hotline will not replace GPs in communities working outside normal opening hours. The provision of care outside normal opening hours has become increasingly problematic; however, we believe the solution to this problem is better support for GPs who do offer comprehensive care after hours.
Our patients want a continuing relationship with a doctor they trust. Email your feedback to advocacy@racgp.org.au.
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.
