GP Network News, Issue 12 Number 24
In this issue:New dates set for ANF Wage ClaimANAO Report Shows GP Infrastructure Grants Better Than GP Super ClinicsAMA GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit
New dates set for ANF Wage Claim Previous issues of GP Network News have provided updates on the progress of an application by the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) to Fair Work Australia (FWA) for a low paid bargaining authorisation for practice nurses. In effect, this seeks to impose an enterprise agreement on around 900 medical practices named in the union’s application. The AMA is opposing the ANF’s claim and close to 200 practices have provided the AMA with the authority to appear on their behalf in these proceedings. Hearings were originally set down for the end of this month, however, these have been delayed following AMA submissions regarding a number of defects in the ANF’s application. The case will now be heard over the period of 3 to 7 September 2012. It has also been reallocated to a more senior member of the tribunal, Vice President Watson. ANAO Report Shows GP Infrastructure Grants Better than GP Super Clinics AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the latest report from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) on the Primary Care Infrastructure Grants Program (PCIG) shows clearly that the Program is a far better investment in primary care than the troubled GP Super Clinics Program. “There is strong demand for the grants, which means that local GPs in private practice are in for the long haul and want to provide their patients and communities with more services and better services. “They should not have to compete with Government-subsidised competition from GP Super Clinics where they are not needed,” Dr Hambleton said. The PCIG program was established with funding of $117 million over four years to upgrade around 425 GP facilities. According to the ANAO, DoHA is making steady progress in implementing the PCIG program in a manner consistent with the objectives set by the Government. The PCIG was only announced in 2010-11, yet the rollout of the Program appears to have been rapid. The AMA believes this is the direct result of focusing funding on existing practices that can move quickly to enhance infrastructure in a way that supports improved access to services for patients and the training of the next generation of GPs. This is in stark contrast to the Government’s GP Super Clinics Program that commenced in 2007-08 and which has been plagued with problems. Only 25 clinics are operating to date, well short of Government targets. Total funding for this program is $650 million to support the establishment of 64 clinics across the country. The ANAO is currently auditing the GP Super Clinics Program. AMA GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit The AMA Council of General Practice has developed a free GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit, a one-stop shop for commonly used practice support tools for general practitioners. The GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit has links to about 300 commonly used administrative or diagnostic tools. The AMA GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit will help reduce the time spent locating relevant tools for administrative and diagnostic purposes. The Toolkit is divided into 5 categories/tabs:
State/Territory specific tools such as forms for WorkCover, S8 prescribing etc, have also been included in the State/territory specific tabs. Instructions on how to access the Toolkit are available in the member only area of the AMA Website. This will require members to log in to the AMA Website on a one off basis, following which you can access the Toolkit via your desktop. The page also contains instructions on how to find particular information/tools available in the Toolkit. If you have not logged into the AMA Website before, you can request a password on line or email memberservices@ama.com.au for assistance. If you have problems putting a link to the Toolkit on your desktop or accessing any of the links, please contact generalpractice@ama.com.au. Members can access the AMA GP Desktop Practice Support Toolkit by clicking here. We welcome your comments and suggestions as well. Please tell us what you think.
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