AMA meets with Primary Health Care Advisory Group
Representatives from the AMA are meeting today with the Primary Health Care Advisory Group (PHCAG) to discuss the Primary Health Care Review, which will particularly target the care of patients with chronic and complex conditions.
The Review, chaired by immediate-past AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, has released a discussion paper that outlines a range of options for potential reform. AMA President, Professor Brian Owler, said several of these options had long been supported by the AMA, including GP-led team-based care, the improved use of technology, care coordinators, and an expanded role for private health insurers.
He added that new payment models outlined by the discussion paper, including capitated payments and pay-for-performance, were a challenge for the medical profession and would need ongoing discussion.
While welcoming the release of the discussion paper, Professor Owler has warned the Government that reform will not succeed without significant investment in general practice.
