New arrangements for rural workforce incentives
The AMA says new arrangements for rural workforce incentives must not disadvantage current rural GPs from providing specialised care to rural communities.
The AMA says new arrangements for rural workforce incentives must not disadvantage current rural GPs from providing specialised care to rural communities.
In its submission to the Department of Health’s final report to streamline and expand the Rural Procedural Grants Program (RPGP) and the Practice Incentives (PIP) Procedural GP Payment, the AMA said there is a significant need for these to align with the Rural Generalist (RG) pathway, consider the recommendation of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce, and provide better incentives for GPs working in rural areas under a College-led training model.
The AMA said the new arrangements must support all forms of rural practice and never disadvantage the current rural GPs.
The AMA supports increased incentives for doctors practicing rurally and the principle of equal pay for equal work should be the core of the new model.
The new model should ensure that GPs who are already providing advanced skills in rural communities are also eligible for any new funds from expansion of the program.
The issue was highlighted by the ABC this week showing rural communities in Australia are in desperate need of specialised care. The report shows rural Australians are struggling to access a GP, leading them to seek care at hospital emergency departments.
