GP Super Clinics could cause more harm than good

June 17, 2008

As part of General Practice Week, the AMA (WA) has called on the Rudd Government to move beyond its restrictive policy framework and enhance existing GP services across the country.

AMA (WA) President, Prof. Geoff Dobb, said the Rudd Government's centrepiece GP Super Clinics current policy may only benefit a limited number of Australians.

"In fact, GP Super Clinics could damage many existing general practices that currently provide valuable patient care," he said.

AMA (WA) wants on the Government to use the $275 million to improve existing GP services rather than set up GP Super Clinics.

"If the Government is serious about improving primary care, it should work with the AMA on the broad measures needed to improve access to GP services for all Australians."

Such measures include:

• Significantly expanding training places in general practice;
• Simplifying the Medicare Benefits Schedule – allowing GPs to focus on preventative care and the effective management of chronic disease, as well as manage acute presentations;
• Creating initiatives to support the use of practice nurses – for and on behalf of GPs;
• Appropriately indexing patient rebates to keep pace with the rising costs of service delivery;
• Supporting the extension of IT infrastructure across health service delivery to improve the coordination of patient care; and
• Reducing red tape and unnecessary compliance costs.

If the Rudd Government is intent on implementing the Super Clinic policy, AMA (WA) believes that:

• GP Super Clinics should only be located in areas where there are identified gaps in the delivery of local health services and clear evidence of significant GP shortage; and
• GP Super Clinic funding should be directed towards supporting existing practices to improve infrastructure and expand their services.

General Practice Week (15-21 June) highlights the importance of general practice in our healthcare system and shows that GPs are leading the way to better health.

For more information, call Barry Thornton on 0411 557 328.

Media Contacts