GP Consult - At the heart of care

It was extremely satisfying to join President A/Prof Peter Subramaniam in welcoming guests to the Presidents’ Breakfast last week.

Among the guests was possibly the highest-profile GP in Australia, AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen, who joined Peter in presenting certificates to our newest Life Members. Many of those Life Members were GPs – each with stories of dedicated service to their patients and communities over many decades. I can only hope to give so selflessly for so long.

The Breakfast traditionally allows the President (or Presidents!) to thank those who have helped them achieve objectives on behalf of our members during the year. I was able to reiterate the importance of the work we’ve been undertaking to fine-tune and, hopefully soon, implement the recommendations developed from our Access to Care Round Table earlier this year. As the year’s end approaches, I thank Dr Bridget Sawyer and Dr Emily Kirkpatrick for their ongoing commitment to this project.

In my Breakfast speech, I used the opportunity to quote the World Health Organization, reminding the audience that primary care is the most effective and efficient way to improve a society’s physical, mental and social health.  

I pointed out that our governments have the evidence, the data and the control of the funds to return primary care to its place at the heart of health care – but that the six-year Medicare freeze was a financial kick in the guts, and that recent Medicare initiatives have done little to ease the acute pain or bruising. 
Health Minister Chris Picton was among those listening as I urged the audience to consider the need for emergency action to save general practice. As we all gear up for the election in March, I hope he is considering how public commitments to investment at the state level can play a part.