GP groups disappointed with lack of consultation over policy for patients with diabetes

United General Practice Australia calls on the Government to consult with our organisations as a matter of urgency.

Immediate engagement with the profession is required to develop workable arrangements that result in improved health outcomes for patients. As currently proposed, there is insufficient detail for us to be confident that this initiative will achieve the stated outcomes for patients with diabetes.

Members of United General Practice Australia have all had a longstanding commitment to engage with the Government on necessary health reform.

We welcome the Government’s recognition of the shortcomings of the current health system in meeting the needs of patients with chronic and complex conditions. 

It is unfortunate that in this case the Government has not availed themselves of the ongoing willingness of all of the major general practice groups to design better arrangements for our patients.

United General Practice Australia United General Practice Australia – comprising the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN), General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA), the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) – met in Canberra this morning.

31 March 2010

Media contacts:

RACGP       Dr Chris Mitchell, 0427 878 383
AMA           Dr Andrew Pesce, 0428 300 361
AGPN          Dr Emil Djakic, 0428 256 563
GPRA          Dr Belinda Guest, 0414 846 711
ACRRM        Dr Jeff Ayton, 0418 564 087
RDAA           Dr Nola Maxfield, 0418 335 344