Australian Medical Association

An OECD report has confirmed that GP-led primary care is a cost effective way to promote good health while sending a warning about the need to better promote general practice as a career.

The OECD Health Data 2009 report says despite the growing need for GPs worldwide there is an increasing trend towards specialisation.  The number of specialists rose by 60% between 1990 and 2007, compared with only a 23% increase in GPs.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said the report sends a strong message to Government on primary health care reform in Australia.

“The clear message is that any plan to improve primary care must include increased support for general practice,” Dr Pesce said.

Tomorrow’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting is a crucial opportunity to focus on achieving concrete long-term health improvements for Indigenous people, the AMA said.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) will meet in Darwin tomorrow (Thursday)  to discuss a strategic national plan for closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

AMA Federal President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said it is important that governments develop a national plan for Indigenous health in genuine partnership with Indigenous people and health organisations that know what is needed and what will work.

“The Prime Minister has acknowledged that closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians is one of the most significant challenges facing Australia,” Dr Pesce said.

The AMA has written to Federal MPs and Senators urging them to support a number of key policy measures to reduce preventable health problems linked to excessive alcohol use, obesity and smoking.

The AMA has taken this step in anticipation of the blueprint for national prevention that the National Preventative Health Taskforce will soon provide to Health Minister Nicola Roxon.

“A growing number of Australians are at high risk of serious diseases and premature death due to excessive alcohol consumption, excess weight and smoking,” AMA Federal Vice President, Dr Steven Hambleton, said.

“Doctors play a big role in helping people avoid these risks, and this role could be strengthened if the right supports are put in place by governments.

Draft proposals by the Productivity Commission designed to reduce the red tape burden on medical practices will benefit patients, the AMA said today.

A Productivity Commission draft review into regulatory burdens on business recommends that the Government drop the requirement for doctors to seek approval from Medicare Australia to prescribe certain drugs under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton said: “red tape restricts patient access to medical care and some GPs spend up to nine hours a week completing paperwork. ”

“Every hour a GP spends doing paperwork, around four patients are denied access to a doctor.”

The Australian Medical Association will work with the Federal Government to ensure patients benefit from the introduction of new prescribing rights for nurse practitioners and midwives.

Legislation will be introduced into Federal Parliament today to grant nurse practitioners and midwives prescribing rights under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the ability to perform a broader range of procedures subsidised by the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).

“We have been assured by the Government that nurse practitioners and midwives will work collaboratively with medical practitioners to deliver quality care and ensure patient safety under the new arrangements,” AMA Federal President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said.

This position statement details the measures the AMA believes are necessary to reduce the harms associated with excess consumption of alcohol in Australia. The AMA makes recommendations about prevention, early intervention and treatment regarding alcohol consumption, and include a focus on problem drinking among young Australians. This position statement is supported by an AMA background information paper on alcohol consumption and patterns of harm.