AMA launches 'grass roots' GP campaign for 2002
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, today launched a 'grass roots' campaign by GPs to highlight the major problems with medical services in local towns and suburbs.
Dr Phelps said the 2002 GP Campaign Network - comprising GP delegates from more than 80 Federal electorates - will raise awareness about the issues affecting both doctors and patients at a local level.
"From Broken Hill to Benalla, from Paraburdoo to Port Pirie - and everywhere between - GP numbers are inadequate to meet the needs of communities," Dr Phelps said.
She said the GP campaign followed the recent release of the AMA/Access Economics GP Workforce Survey - which revealed a shortage of between 1200 and 2000 GPs in Australia.
Dr Phelps said it was time to remind Governments about the impact of these shortages in local areas.
"Our regions and our outer suburbs deserve the same quality of health and medical services as other Australians," Dr Phelps said.
"The local GP has been a vital member of the community for generations. We need to make sure that future generations of Australians have the same access to the security of a local family doctor that we have enjoyed.
"And the rumoured plan to add a further administrative load to GP prescribing in the May Budget is yet another example of the Federal Government targeting general practice - at the expense of patient care."
Dr Phelps said GPs would raise community awareness about these sorts of issues through their local media and by making representations to their local Federal and State Members of Parliament.
CONTACT: Sarah Bucknell - AMA Public Affairs 02 6270 5471