Australian Medical Association

The AMA congratulates the Government on its Living Longer Living Better plan to support older Australians, in particular the measures to assist them to live in their homes for longer, but is disappointed that the issue of access to quality medical care has not been properly addressed.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said that the plan is a strong response to a policy area that has been long neglected, but the Government should have gone the extra step of giving older Australians the comfort of knowing they could get access to their doctors at a time of life when they most need them.

The AMA has released the AMA Position Statement on Funding of Residential Aged Care 2011.

AMA Vice President, Professor Geoffrey Dobb, said today that there is no doubt that the funding of residential aged care now and into the future in a fair and sustainable way is a complex and emotive challenge for the nation.

AMA Vice President, Professor Geoffrey Dobb, said today that the ongoing availability of quality medical care for older Australians is a crucial component of aged care that needs immediate consideration by the Government.

Professor Dobb said that the AMA has developed a plan for the provision of medical services for older Australians that should be considered by the new Cabinet, which now features two senior Ministers from the Health portfolio.

The AMA applauds today’s decision to appoint the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, to Cabinet, and adding Social Inclusion to his portfolio.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said that mental health and ageing are key areas of the health portfolio that deserve the attention and advocacy of a Cabinet Minister.

The residential aged care sector is under growing pressure as the number of older Australians aged over 85 is projected to increase over 4 fold by 2050. Given the importance of the residential aged care sector in the broader health care context, this statement outlines the AMA's position on the funding of residential aged care and proposes the principles that should underpin the development of a new funding model.

MJA release - Infectious diseases experts are concerned about a high prevalence of multiresistant E. coli in residential aged care residents, according to the authors of a study published in the 7 November issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA welcomes the Productivity Commission’s recognition of the importance of older Australians having access to medical care.

In its report, Caring for Older Australians, the Commission recommends that ‘The Medicare rebate for medical services provided by general practitioners visiting residential aged care facilities and people in their homes should be independently reviewed to ensure that it covers the cost of providing the service.’

The Department of Health and Ageing is seeking applications from eligible individuals and organisations to develop, test and evaluate innovative models of practice for nurse practitioners in residential and community based aged care. To ensure collaborative care models between GPs and nurse practitioners are part of the trial, the AMA encourages its members who practice in the aged care sector to apply.

Applications close at 2:00pm (AEST) on 14 June 2011.

MJA release - Regular use of antipsychotic and antidepressant medication has increased among residents of Sydney nursing homes since 2003, an expert says.

 AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today called on the Government to place a higher priority on medical care for the elderly in its response to the recommendations in the Productivity Commission’s draft report, Caring for Older Australians, and its final report in June.

Dr Pesce said that although the Commission made occasional reference to medical care needs and the AMA’s submission in its 500-plus page draft report, ongoing access to medical care was given low priority and little urgency in the recommendations to Government.