Collaborative arrangements will provide better care for patients

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said today that the new arrangements would provide a safer higher standard of care for patients.

“These new arrangements are the result of a comprehensive consultation process between the Government, doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives, throughout which the AMA played a constructive role,” Dr Pesce said.

“There is now a requirement for midwives and nurse practitioners to establish collaborative arrangements with a medical practitioner in order for the service to attract a Medicare patient rebate or PBS benefit.

“The AMA will work cooperatively with other stakeholders to implement the Government's changes quickly and effectively to ensure that patient care is enhanced.

“It is important that doctors, nurse practitioners and midwives work constructively together for our patients to derive the benefits of these reforms.

“Evidence shows that patients enjoy better health outcomes when they receive coordinated, continuous, and comprehensive care that is delivered by appropriately trained health professionals,” Dr Pesce said.

There have been two Parliamentary Inquiries into the Government's decision to open up Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and PBS access for midwives and nurse practitioners.

In February this year, the Senate Community Affairs Committee endorsed provisions in the Government's overarching legislation that made collaborative arrangements a legal requirement to underpin the Government’s decision to open up access to the MBS and PBS from 1 November this year.

 

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29 July 2010

 

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