"Super Clinics" doomed to fail, says AMA

November 7, 2007

Labor's plan for two GP "Super Clinics" in WA is flawed and will not provide better access for patients or ease the pressure on local hospitals, the AMA (WA) said today.

"This proposal has been cobbled together without any serious consultation with the medical profession and will lead to Government-controlled medical practices – a known recipe for disaster," said association President Prof Geoff Dobb.

"Variations of the concept have been tried before and ultimately could lead to a United Kingdom-type funded model of General Practice."

Prof Dobb said putting Government-run clinics in regions with existing General Practices was an ill-conceived concept which would fail to improve access to GPs.

"With the chronic shortage of GPs, Labor's plan would rely on existing doctors in the region moving from their present locations near patients to more centralised centres, making access more difficult for patients," he said.

"The immediate effect would be to undermine existing doctor-patient relationships and ultimately reduce the continuity of care which is so important, particularly for older patients."

Prof Dobb said that instead of trying to take over General Practice, governments could do more by supporting existing practices to provide a greater range of services and after-hours access and by employing more practice nurses.

"By building on what we already have you could retain the present quality of healthcare and enable more patients to be seen during those hours when the only alternative is driving to the nearest public hospital emergency department," he said.

"Had Labor bothered to consult with those in the medical profession who understand the problems, it could have come up with a more sensible and effective proposal.

"Sadly, they failed to do that."

Media Contacts