AMA urges country groups and individuals to make submissions to Trade Practices Act review

Dr Phelps said the TPA was having a negative impact on the recruitment and retention of rural doctors.

"Country doctors are under constant fear that time-honoured practices in regard to work rosters, work sharing and negotiations with local hospitals may in some way breach the Act," Dr Phelps said.

"Doctors are already overworked and in short supply in rural and regional Australia.

"The combined effect of escalating medical indemnity premiums and the threat of action by the ACCC is placing enormous pressure on country doctors and their ability to provide around-the-clock high quality medical services to their local communities.

"This is affecting the viability of doctors to continue practising in country towns.

"For local communities, the loss of the family doctor would be a tremendous blow.

"Having already lost their banks and post offices and Telstra jobs, many communities would consider the threat to their medical services the last straw.

"To save their local doctors, country people should contact the Review to report the importance of their doctors to their communities and how the unique characteristics of country life mean doctors must work together to provide services in often difficult and trying conditions," Dr Phelps said.

Submissions to the TPA Review will be accepted up until Friday 7 December and should be sent to:

Mr Terence Barnes

Assistant Secretary, Financing and Analysis Branch

Department of Health and Aged Care, Canberra

Telephone: 02 6289 8706

Fax: 02 6289 3673

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076