COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS MEETING
Areas such as reducing elective surgery waiting times, investing in aged care, preventative health care, public dental programs, GP Superclinics and Indigenous health were high on the yesterday’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting agenda.
Commonwealth-State funding will now be more tied to outputs and outcomes and COAG hopes that this, along with Commonwealth Government incentive payments, will drive reforms in these key areas.
The Commonwealth has increased its election commitment for reducing medically unacceptable waiting times for elective surgery by 50%, providing an upfront package of $150 million for 2008 that will support a range of strategies to reduce the current backlog and improve future throughput.
COAG also agreed that all levels of government would work together with each other and with Indigenous communities to close the 17 year life expectancy gap, halve the mortality gap for children and have the gap in reading, writing and numeracy. In line with this, the Commonwealth agreed to double the $49.3 million in funding provided by COAG in 2006 to assist with substance and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment services. Services to support these initiatives, such as strengthened policing of alcohol management plans and licensing laws and additional treatment and family support services, will be supported by complementary investments from the states and territories.
ORGAN DONOR REGISTER
Patients who may wish to give the gift of life through organ donation should be advised to register with the Australian Organ Donor Register.
The register also allows those who do not want to become an organ or tissue donor to record their objection.
GPs should note the access points to the register so that they can direct their patients appropriately if asked. Signing on to the register or updating details can be done online via the Medicare Australia website www.medicareaustralia.gov.au, by calling 1800 777 203 or visiting the closest Medicare Australia office to sign on or update details.
NEW BOOK ASSISTS WITH AMC CLINICAL EXAMINATION
The Australian Medical Council launched a new book this month to help International Medical Graduates (IMGs) prepare for the AMC clinical examination and support their integration into the Australian medical workforce.
The AMC Handbook of Clinical Assessment is a comprehensive guide to clinical medical practice in Australia. It includes self-test clinical tasks with accompanying commentaries and performance guidelines reflecting best practice principles.
For information go to: http://www.amc.org.au/MEDIARELEASEbooklaunchNov07.pdf