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AMA calls for more support to GPs in Primary Health Reform Steering Group Draft Recommendations

The AMA has called for more support and funding for GPs in a submission in response to Primary Health Reform Steering Group’s (PHRSG) Draft Recommendations. These recommendations will support the development of the Government's Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan.

While the draft recommendations were positive, they did not provide the depth of support and funding the AMA has been advocating for. The AMA, in its response, has again called on the Government to invest in general practice and to put in place a GP-led governance structure to oversee the implementation of any reform agenda.

Funding for general practice from the Commonwealth must be increased to at least 16% of its annual health expenditure, with improved and flexible funding arrangements supporting general practice as it strives to provide timely, accessible, affordable, and comprehensive patient care, working in collaboration with non-GP specialists, other health professions and local health services.

The AMA's 10 Year Framework for Primary Care Reform outlines where and how to reform of funding arrangements for general practice as part of efforts to improve and strengthen primary care. Many of the PHRSG draft recommendations were adopted from the AMA’s 10 Year Framework.

The full submission is avalaible here: https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-submission-response-primary-health-reform-steering-group-draft-recommendations-1 

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