Most WA doctors oppose Super Clinics
July 1, 2008
The majority of West Australian doctors have given the thumbs
down to the Federal Government's plan for a national chain of Super
Clinics, an AMA (WA) survey has revealed.
More than 200 GPs responded to the survey conducted last month,
with less than 8 per cent prepared to consider working in a Super
Clinic.
Sixty five per cent of respondents said Super Clinics would not
improve access to primary health care for patients, 22 per cent
were not sure and less than 12 per cent thought the clinics would
improve health outcomes.
More than 50 per cent said extended opening hours for General
Practice would improve patient outcomes and reduce demand on hospital
services.
The overwhelming majority of doctors surveyed said more money
needed to be poured into primary health care, but Government Super
Clinics were not necessarily the answer.
Others raised concerns about a move to a nationalised medical
system, the lack of medical students going into General Practice
and the possible demise of a fee-for-service model of General Practice.
Some of the comments received during the on-line survey included:
"Money spent on Super Clinics would be
better spent on existing General Practices and improved incentives
for rural General Practice"
"Super GP Clinics are a vote-catching GIMMICK!"
"The concept of bulk billing at Super Clinics
is ridiculous and unsustainable without large subsidies. From
where are the GPs going to be recruited?"
"Why not support all GP clinics to become Super
Clinics? Proposed Super Clinics are just another way of setting
up a salaried/nationalised alternative to General Practice and
will eventually undermine the foundations of our medical system."
"There is a real risk of Government bureaucracy
getting in the way of patient care in these clinics and success
being measured
in terms of cash flow rather than improved long term health."
Others GPs raised concerns about the lack of detail in the Super
Clinics proposal, how they would function and who would own them.
"The survey provides compelling evidence that the Federal Government
needs to rethink its Super Clinic strategy," said Federal AMA President
Dr Rosanna Capolingua, who runs a GP clinic in Floreat.
"Any major health reforms need the support of the medical profession – and
as it stands this Super Clinic initiative does not have the support
of GPs."
Dr Steve Wilson, chair of the AMA's Council of General Practice,
said the $275 million allocated for Super Clinics should be re-directed
towards supporting existing GP practices.
"The money should go towards expanding the infrastructure and
services of established practices," he said.
"If the Government wants to build clinics they should only go
to areas of demonstrable need.
"Moreover, there needs to be a substantial focus on training places
in General Practice, reduced red tape, greater support for practice
nurses and IT and most importantly, appropriate MBS indexation
for patient rebates."
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