PHCAG told Government must invest in general practice

AMA GP representatives, Dr Richard Kidd, Deputy Chair, AMA Council of General Practice and Dr Tony Bartone, President, AMA Victoria, met last week with members of the Primary Health Care Advisory Group (PHCAG), Dr Steve Hambleton (Chair), Dr Brian Morton and Jeanette Quigley from the Department of Health.

AMA representatives stressed the need for investment in general practice and highlighted the negative impact that numerous Budget cuts and the current freeze on MBS rebates was having on general practice. The PHCAG was told that General Practice was ready to support the delivery of more care in the community and ease pressure on the hospital system, but that this would require appropriate funding, including the restoration of MBS indexation.