Patients would suffer if 2020 idea adopted

April 20, 2008

Australia's health system will be irreparably damaged and the level of patient care dangerously reduced if the Federal Government adopts a proposal to the 2020 Summit to change the way our health system is funded, the AMA (WA) warned today.

"Under the proposal put forward by Kate Carnell, CEO of Australian General Practice Network, patients would no longer receive a rebate from the Government for each service and could lose their choice of doctor," said Dr Steve Wilson, chair of the association's Council of General Practice.

"Instead, the Government would provide a block of funding for GPs to treat chronic illnesses, effectively turning GPs into partly 'government-funded' doctors.

"However, of greater concern is the push by AGPN to hold the funds which could see GPs becoming employees of Kate Carnell.

"This 'fund holding' proposal by AGPN is ludicrous and gives incentive for doctors NOT to see patients and would result in GPs having to ration care to patients on behalf of the Government.

"The end result could be the disintegration of our current health care system, with patients getting less care and waiting lists to see GPs going even further through the roof.

"And what happens when the funds start to run out?

"Doctors might have to choose between the best possible care for their patients and that which limited funding will allow – a clear conflict."

Dr Wilson said the system was a failed UK-styled general practice reform which GPs and patients did not want - nor would benefit from.

"Clearly, Ms Carnell is ingratiating herself with the Federal Government by promoting an idea they are keen to implement, but in doing so she is well out of touch with GPs and the community," he said.

"If Ms Carnell wants to grab the spotlight at the 2020 Summit she should be putting forward ideas that raise the standard of patient care and improve access to General Practice.

"With the proposal she has put forward to the Summit, Ms Carnell has shown that she – and the organisation she represents - are not the voice of General Practice."

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