Media release

AMACGP flags bigger local role for AMA in supporting general practice

The AMA Council of General Practice (AMACGP) has flagged a more active role for the AMA at the local level in supporting general practice in the new Medicare Locals environment.

The AMACGP – the peak independent national Council for GPs – met in Canberra over the weekend.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, a Brisbane GP, said today that reforms to primary health care delivery, especially the implementation of Medicare Locals, were high on the AMACGP agenda.

“The AMA has serious concerns about the direction of Medicare Locals and the absence of meaningful GP involvement in their governance structures,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Medicare Locals are replacing the former Divisions of General Practice and there are genuine fears that medical leadership in primary care decision-making at the local level will be watered down.

“The AMACGP reinforced that the AMA is the only body equipped to provide independent high quality nationally-coordinated political and policy advocacy for all GPs.

“Local GPs need assurance that their interests are being protected and championed by a strong voice in Federal health politics – and that voice is the AMA.”

The AMACGP also identified priority areas for GP advocacy in the lead up to the next Federal election including:

  • the AMA Complex and Chronic Disease Plan;
  • the need to boost the teaching capacity in general practices - including funding for improved infrastructure and teaching;
  • better support for the role of general practice in mental health care delivery;
  • and funding to recognise the additional work for GPs and other specialists that will result from the implementation of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record.

A new AMACGP Executive was elected at the weekend meeting.  Members include:

Chair - Dr Brian Morton (NSW)
Deputy Chair - Dr Cathy Hutton (Vic)
Convenor - Professor Bernard Pearn-Rowe (WA)
Dr Richard Kidd – (Qld)
Dr Barri Phatarfod - (NSW)
Dr Shaun Rudd - (Qld)
Dr Peter Beaumont - (NT)
Dr Chris Clohesy - (SA)

 


25 June 2012

 

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                       Kirsty Waterford                    02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

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