PRACTICE NURSES – COALITION ANNOUNCES POLICY INITIATIVES
The Coalition has committed this week, if they are re-elected, to extend existing practice nurse subsidies to all GP practices regardless of where they are located. Up to 1,300 GP surgeries are expected to benefit from this plan according to the Coalition.
In addition, a re-elected Coalition Government will also fund home visits by practice nurses, operating for and on behalf of GPs, to older Australians and veterans.
The AMA has been calling for the extension of practice nurse subsidies for some time and practice nurse home visits were a feature of the AMA’s 2007 Election Policy Document. For more information see: http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-78H9LJ
MORE TRAINING PLACES FOR GENERAL PRACTICE ANNOUNCED
The Coalition has pledged, if re-elected, to increase first-year GP training places from 600 to 900 per year by 2011, and to increase pre-vocational GP training places from 280 to 510 per year. The AMA has welcomed this $108 million investment in the future of the GP workforce and the acknowledgement of the crucial and central role played by general practice in the health system.
More training places in general practice was a key feature of the AMA’s 2007 Election Policy Document. The AMA believes that more is still needed, particularly with respect to providing medical students with exposure to general practice. GPs need more support for infrastructure and recognition of the significant costs of training and supervision. For more information see: http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-78H9HD
MBS FEES – AMA HIGHLIGHTS INADEQUATE REBATE INDEXATION
Inadequate indexation of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) short changes patients according to AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua. MBS rebates increased this week by 2.2 %, which is only half of the rate of health inflation.
Dr Capolingua said that “the AMA has consistently called for the reform of the MBS. The rebate structure for GP visits needs to be simplified and the formula for increasing patient rebates needs to keep up with the costs of delivering the service.”
For more information see: http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-78J77L
RELIEF FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES WELCOME BUT MORE NEEDED
The Coalition’s commitment to extend the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund (RMIF) and to increase urgently needed support for rural medical practices was welcomed last week by the AMA. The AMA is disappointed there is no increase in the overall funding amount from current levels.
The AMA has highlighted that this is only a small step and the Government needs to invest heavily in rural health to ensure access to quality care.
The AMA has urged both parties to adopt the jointly proposed AMA/RDAA Rural Rescue package (see fact sheet at http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-784528).
AFTER HOURS INCENTIVES AND FAMILY EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTRES
AMA President, Dr Capolingua, says the Coalition’s policy on after hours rebates and family emergency medical centres contains the right mix of incentives to make after hours more viable. The Coalition is promising $433 million to fund these centres and expanded after hours services by all GPs. The after-hours loading for services between 11pm and 7am will be doubled, and there will be significant increases in rebates for emergency GP procedural work in normal and after hours.
Up-front capital grants and ongoing yearly support for the family emergency medical centres have also been promised by the Coalition. The improved after hours and emergency procedural loadings will apply to all GPs. For more information see: http://www.ama.com.au/web.nsf/doc/WEEN-78JA3M