General Practice

Submission: Regionally Tailored Primary Health Care Initiatives through Medicare Locals Fund

brobinson — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:23:46 +1100

The AMA submission to government on Regionally Tailored Primary Health Care Initiatives through Medicare Locals Fund comments on the role of Medicare Locals, the creation of the Medicare Locals National Body and the utilisation of funds set aside for Medicare Locals. The AMA highlights the need for Medicare Locals to support GPs in caring for patients, for clarity and transparency in how funds are allocated, and stresses that any savings from the consolidation of funding arrangements must be directed towards supporting services for patients.

Submission: Inquiry into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas

vbonney — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:36:44 +1100

The AMA has identified the medical workforce shortage as a major health issue with the overall distribution of doctors being skewed heavily towards major cities such that regional, rural and remote areas shoulder a disproportionate workforce shortage burden. There is a strong preference amongst much of the current medical workforce to live and work in major cities. So much so that attracting young professionals to rural locations is extremely difficult. The AMA believes the factors affecting the supply of medical workforce in rural areas should be viewed in the context of generalism; remuneration and incentives; hospital infrastructure; compensation and family support; costs of establishing a practice and access to community; high on-call demands and the need for rosters and locum services;and recruitment of international medical graduates (IMG) doctors.The submission makes a series of recommendations addressing these issues as well as the effect of the introduction of Medicare Locals, anomalies with the ASGC scheme and the need to extend MBS telehealth items.

Submission: Draft RACGP Vocational Training Standards

scross — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:57:43 +1100

Did you know that the RACGP Vocational Training Standards are changing? The new draft standards involve significant change and a move to an outcomes based approach. Supervisors and doctors-in-training have expressed concern about some elements of the draft standards. Find out what the changes to the Vocational Training Standards could mean for you by reading our submission.

Out-of-Hours Primary Medical Care - 2004. Revised 2011

nbrowne — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:58:07 +1100

The provision of out-of-hours care is a key part of general practice. The AMA Out-of-Hours Primary Medical Care 2011 position statement has been developed to guide the design of these services, outlining the essential feature of a successful model of out-of-hours primary medical care.

Submission: Rural and Remote Health Workforce Innovation and Reform Strategy

brobinson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:24:44 +1100

This submission responds to the HWA draft background paper - Rural and Remote Health Workforce Innovation and Reform Strategy released in July 2011 as part of the consultation process.

The AMA believes it is important that the Government gets it right to ensure that the health workforce in rural and remote areas is sustainable and that people in rural communities can access affordable, appropriate health care services when needed.

GP Registrars Minimum Terms and Conditions - revised November 2011

tgoodacre — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:34:40 +1100

National Minimum Terms and Conditions for GP Registrars - revised November 2011

The 2010 agreement has been updated and contains the rates which apply from the start of the 2012 training year.

COAG National Health Reform Agreement, 2 August 2011

smorrison — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:54:36 +1000

On 2 August 2011, the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments finalised the National Health Reform Agreement. A summary of the Agreement's key points can be found here.

2011 National Minimum Terms and Conditions for Basic and Advanced GP Terms

tgoodacre — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:31:08 +1100

As part of a service to all of our members the AMA has mediated an agreement between GP Registrars and GP Supervisors that sets out minimum terms and conditions for GP Registrars. This agreement is negotiated every two years by the National GP Supervisors Association (NGPSA) and GP Registrars Australia (GPRA), with the AMA's assistance.

The 2011 agreement applies from the start of the 2011 training year.

AMA Gaps Poster

emijoc — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:23:14 +1100

The AMA has long campaigned for better indexation of Medicare schedule fees so that patients receives appropriate rebates for their medical care. The AMA Gaps Poster shows the effect of the difference between the indexatin of Medicare Schedule fees and the indices for Consumer Price Index and average weekly earnings.

The poster is produced to assist doctors to explain to their patients why they might have to pay a gap for their medical care.

2010-11 AMA Indigenous Health Report Card - "Best Practice in Primary Health Care for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders"

shabib — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:34:02 +1000

The reform of Australia's primary health care system has paid scant attention to the health of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. The 2010-11 AMA Indigenous Health Report Card identifies the barriers that Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders experience in accessing high quality primary health care, and makes a series of recommendations on how these barriers can be removed through collaboration and integration between services and health sectors. The AMA believes that the health of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strair Islanders is everyone's responsibility.

2010-11 AMA Indigenous Health Report Card - Summary - "Best Practice in Primary Health Care for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islanders"

shabib — Wed, 11 May 2011 10:16:55 +1000

Guidelines for Medical Practitioners on Certificates Certifying Illness - 2011

cmoylan — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:36:00 +1100

The purpose of this Guideline is to clarify the responsibilities of medical practitioners, patients, and relevant third parties regarding certificates certifying illness ("sickness certificates") within the context of the doctor-patient relationship.

Medicare Locals - 2011

brobinson — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:53:56 +1100

Medicare Locals have the potential to impact on a wide range of health care services. The AMA believes they should be introduced in a manner consistent with the AMA's overall health vision and which is respectful of the exisitng role of the General Practitioner and other community based specialists. This position statement includes details of the AMA position on the governance, functionality, accountability, fundholding and boundaries of Medicare Locals.

Vaccinations Outside of General Practice - 2011

brobinson — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:04:35 +1100

Australia has an excellent record of achievement in disease prevention through immunisation including a high level of safety and quality of vaccines delivered within general practice. It is important the community has a similar level of confidence for vaccination services delivered outside of general practice. To help maintain this excellent record the AMA encourages any provider delivering vaccine services outside of general practice to adhere to the ten principles included in this Position Statement.

AMA submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee Inquiry into Registration Processes and Support for Overseas Trained Doctors

smorrison — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:05:56 +1100

In its submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing Inquiry into registration processes and support for Overseas Trained Doctors, the AMA calls for removal of the 10 year International Medical Graduates (IMG) moratorium and greater support for IMGs trying to achieve specialist registration through access to other GP training, courses.

AMA response to Medicare Locals discussion paper on governance and function

brobinson — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:50:01 +1100

AMA has supported the need for reform to Australia's health system, particularly the issue of responsibility for public hospitals and the linkages with other parts of the health system such as primary care and aged care. The Government has said Medicare Locals are the mechanism to improve these linkages. Our usual preference would be for less bureaucratic mechanisms than are suggested in the discussion paper. We represent doctors who like to behave in an efficient manner, responsive to the needs of their patients, to be independent and accountable to their patients and free, to the maximum extent possible, of bureaucratic red tape.

GP Network News, Issue 10, Number 37 - 22 October 2010

mgrybaitis — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:45:07 +1100

Report of AMACGP Meeting; AMA meets with NIS Consultants; National Registration; AMA Poll on Junk Food Advertising; International Medical Graduates

Corporatisation of General Practice - Decision Support Kit for Doctors

ehowell — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:31:42 +1000

This information package will assist a General Practitioner to make a decision about moving into a corporate practice.

This covers many of the issues you need to consider when making the decision. This tells you what a corporate is, what matters you need to think about in closing your existing practice, what will life be like working for a corporate and maybe afterwards.

Primary Health Care - 2010

smorrison — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:30:58 +1000

This Position Statement examines the role of general practice in the delivery of primary care services in Australia.

GP Network News Issue 10, Number 29 - 20 August 2010

rboutchard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:27:12 +1000

Seasonal influenza vaccines for children; Support Family Doctors petition; Telemedicine an important component of a modern health system; Online resources on doctors’ health and wellbeing

Support Family Doctors campaign

amclennan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:39:03 +1000

We've had a Great response to the 'Support Family Doctors campaign' and the more signatures we have to present to the government, the bigger the impact. If you have not yet signed the petition or would like to print out a copy for your patients to sign please visit our 'Support Family Doctors Website'.

Primary Care Infrastructure Grant Scheme

ehowell — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:57:48 +1000

The Department of Health and Ageing is calling for applications under the Primary Care Infrastructure Grants Scheme. Money is being made available to help GP clinics upgrade facilities and to provide new or additional facilities. Applications close on 20 August 2010.

The AMA had prepared a guide for doctors considering applying.

GP Network News Issue 10, Number 27 - 6 August 2010

rboutchard — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:21:45 +1000

Coalition health policy – strong initiatives to stimulate the health debate; misleading claims about vaccination putting Australian lives at risk; general practice lobby kit; Support Family Doctors campaign materials; PIP teaching incentive.

General Practice Lobby Kit

ehowell — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:53:35 +1000

GP Lobby Kit; Senate Contacts; House of Representative contacts; Summary for Politicians; Care for Patients with Chronic and Complex Needs; Key Health Issues; Support Family Doctors

GP Network News Issue 10, Number 26 - 30 July 2010

amclennan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:07:41 +1000

Support Family Doctors campaign materials; Updated advice on the use of seasonal influenza vaccine for children; Collaborative arrangements will provide better care for patients; A national disability insurance scheme must be at the core of any national disability strategy; Labor increases mental health investment but more needed

General Practice - Australian Medicine Special Feature

ehowell — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:23:51 +1000

Australian Medicine Special Feature

Doctors' health advisory services

sjanes — Thu, 18 Apr 2002 14:23:00 +1000

State Programs for Doctor Health

Doctors and Preventative Care - 2010

shabib — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:30:43 +1000

Doctors, particularly General Practitioners, provide preventative care to their patients on a regular basis. Doctors also coordinate the preventative care that patients need from other health care professionals, and promote health and prevention in the broader community. The AMA position statement "Doctors and Preventative Care 2010" describe these important aspects of a doctor's role.

The National Health and Hospitals Network COAG Agreement

smorrison — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:18:53 +1100

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Agreement 2010 outlines the agreement reached by all jurisdictions, except Western Australia, to establish a National Health and Hospitals Network (NHHN). The NHHN Agreement incorporates structural reforms as well as additional investments in hospital, primary and aged care services, and preventive care in mental health and diabetes health care.

Further initiatives announced in the Commonwealth Government’s Budget on 12 May 2010 include support for practice nurses, improved primary care infrastructure and the roll-out of electronic health records, bringing the total new health investment over the next five years to $7.3 billion.

GP Network News Issue 10, Number 14 - 30 April 2010

swilliams — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:39:21 +1000

GP Network News Issue 10, Number 14 - 30 April 2010, Australians want a health system that is built on the family doctor – AMA survey, Caring for patients with chronic and complex care needs – the AMA proposes a better way, Increased registration fees, Suspension of seasonal flu vaccine to children five years and under – update.