ALP Medicare teams policy missing one crucial ingredient doctors
AMA Vice President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today that the ALP Medicare Teams plan is well-intended but has two major flaws.
Dr Haikerwal said the proposal does not acknowledge that there is a dramatic shortage of GPs and other health professionals in Australia and, second, there is contradicting evidence that this type of GP practice would reduce emergency patient numbers.
Evidence to the Senate Medicare Inquiry suggested such a move would not impact on emergency department numbers at all.
"There is a shortage of up to 3000 GPs at the moment," Dr Haikerwal said.
"Where will they find the doctors for 100 Medicare Teams?
"The AMA agrees that there are fewer doctors and patients are paying more out-of-pocket for their health care, but we believe that the overall medical workforce shortage must be addressed first.
"If we can stop GPs leaving towns and communities and medicine altogether, then proposals such as the Medicare Teams will be more relevant and have more chance of success.
"Another consideration is the effect that short-term GP services may have on the viability of existing GP practices that are currently doing it tough.
"We must stabilise what's already there.
"It all comes back to access and affordability of health care for all Australians," Dr Haikerwal said.
Democrats Medicare Policy
Dr Haikerwal said the broader Medicare policy announced by The Democrats today also fails to acknowledge the medical workforce issues.
"The Democrats policy contains a lot of Government regulation and intervention but little in the area of practical solutions," Dr Haikerwal said.
"It would appear that the most significant message from the Democrats policy is that Tony Abbott will have to make the Government's Fairer Medicare package a lot fairer if he wants Democrat support to get it through the Senate," Dr Haikerwal said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306