Family Doctors remain the backbone of the Australian health system ... but under pressure

The latest Australia’s Health 2010 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) confirms yet again that GPs are the backbone of front line health care delivery in Australia, with 113 million services delivered to patients during 2008-09.

AMA Vice President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said this week that the AIHW report confirms that GPs are increasingly dealing with older patients with more complex care needs.

Dr Hambleton said the significant increase in patients with complex and chronic and multiple conditions and the red tape burden that the Government has imposed on GPs are putting family doctors under heavy pressure – the Government must provide greater support for family doctors to help them meet the growing health demands of an ageing population.

The AMA has a better plan for treatment of patients with complex and chronic illness, and we are seeking a meeting to discuss this plan and the broader health reform agenda with new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.  [Read more]

AMA member survey of diabetes plan closes today

The AMA is surveying GPs on the Government’s diabetes plan, under which diabetic patients will be given the opportunity to voluntarily enrol with a nominated general practice from 1 July 2012.

Your participation in this survey is extremely important as the information you provide will assist the AMA in its efforts to boost support for GPs and to inform our future input into the Government’s proposal. The survey is open to all GPs and can be completed below. The survey closes today.

The survey data you provide will remain anonymous and it should take less than ten minutes to complete. Please click here to start the survey.

Support family doctors brochures

The AMA has produced a suite of brochures that GPs can give out to their patients to help explain the importance of the family doctor. Click here to view the brochures. Members can order the brochures by emailing memberservices@ama.com.au.

AMACGP meets this weekend

The AMA Council of General Practice is holding its third meeting for the year in Canberra this weekend. Items for discussion will include: the Government’s new diabetes scheme; the 2010 Federal Election; Family Doctor Week; GP training; point of care testing and GP-referred MRI.

New rural incentives scheme begins

The General Practice Rural Incentives Program (GPRIP) began on 1 July 2010. This program is a consolidation of the Rural Retention Program and the Registrars Rural Incentives Payment Scheme, as well as a new relocation grants scheme, into a single incentives program.

As the result of representations by the AMA and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, the Department of Health and Ageing recently reversed an earlier decision to apply an upfront 46.5% withholding tax to incentive payments under the scheme. To find out more about the new scheme and what payments are available visit www.doctorconnect.gov.au

NRAS:  Medicare provider numbers

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme began on 1 July 2010. A fact sheet explaining the new arrangements and how medical practitioners can apply for a provider number to practise in a different state or territory is available here.

Roll out of new DVA cards

All Department of Veterans’ Affairs repatriation health cards (DVA cards) are due to expire during 2010. All eligible veterans, war widows/widowers and dependants are being sent a new DVA card. The new cards will not change eligibility for current card holders. [Find out more]