Dementia consultation outcomes released for National Dementia Action Week
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care releases the summary of consultation outcomes on National Dementia Action Plan with significantly better outcomes for patients and GPs following AMA’s advocacy and recommendations.
As part this week’s National Dementia Action Week, the Department of Health and Aged Care released their summary of consultation outcomes as part of the development of the 10-year National Dementia Action Plan.
The first draft of the plan was released in January this year and had a significant number of proposals that would have impacted how GP care was provided to dementia patients, including the introduction of GP semi-specialists in dementia, MBS items that could only be accessed by GPs who were semi-specialists, along with additional training requirements for GPs.
The AMA strongly opposed the draft proposals, arguing they would have had significant ramifications for GPs caring for patients in aged care, as well as GPs in general who provide care for older patients.
The AMA provided a written submission and the Chair of AMA Council of General Practice Dr Simon Torvaldsen met with departmental representatives to advocate for the AMA’s position.
The AMA is pleased to see that following our advocacy, many of our suggestions have been taken aboard. The AMA will work with the department on finalising the plan.
