How to Turn a Good Idea Into a Dog's Breakfast ... Give it to Government
The Australian Medical Association has today called for an inquiry into the rural bonded scholarship scheme legislation, saying draconian provisions and penalties would render it useless.
AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said that the Association had lobbied long and hard for a voluntary rural bonded scholarship scheme to help increase the numbers of doctors in the bush.
"We were pleased when the Commonwealth picked it up. The scheme provides for a scholarship for medical students in return for six years of rural service. Up to 100 extra doctors were expected to serve in rural areas each year.
"But the good idea could be rendered a complete lemon because of draconian measures the government is attempting to build into the scheme. These are:
- a 12 year ban on access to Medicare benefits where a contract to work in rural areas is breached regardless of the circumstances; and
- the six years of rural service doesn't start until completion of basic medical training plus a GP or specialist fellowship, thereby excluding possibly years of work done by doctors in rural areas prior to completing their fellowship.
"The Federal Government is entitled to include reasonable measures to deter doctors from breaching their contract. But they must be flexible, sensible arrangements - not draconian penalties that will deny the public the benefit of fully-trained specialists.
"There needs to be an independent tribunal with the power to vary contracts between doctors and the government to allow for changed circumstances such as family tragedy, hardship or illness.
"The AMA calls for the legislation providing for the 12 year Medicare ban to be scrapped and an inquiry to be held to make sure a good idea becomes good practice. The bush deserves no less," Dr Phelps said.