GP Super Clinics not so super - need for a proper audit

This comes on top of the much-publicised issues around the Redcliffe GP Super Clinic in Queensland.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that the AMA has had concerns about the GP Super Clinics Program since day one and believes it may be time for a proper audit of the Program.

Dr Hambleton said that where there is a genuine need for a Super Clinic, where there is community support, and where they do not compete with existing general practices, the AMA does not have a problem.

“But there is emerging evidence that the GP Super Clinics Program is a failed initiative in concept, design and implementation,” Dr Hambleton said.

“In terms of planning, the location of clinics appears to be largely a political process that is not necessarily linked to community need.

“It was intended for 36 GP Super Clinics to be operating by the end of this financial year, but according to the Department of Health and Ageing website there are now only 15 Clinics that are either partly or fully operational.  The Minister has today updated that number to 17.  It is unlikely that the Government’s target will be met, especially with the decision not to proceed in Darwin and Sorell.

“It is clear that there are huge problems with the Program and the public needs answers about what is happening with a significant investment.  I have today written to the Auditor General urging a thorough audit of the Program by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

“If the Program is found to be failing, the AMA suggests the GP Super Clinic funding be redirected to support new infrastructure and services for existing general practices,” Dr Hambleton said.

The AMA Federal Budget Submission earlier this year made the following recommendation:

Though the Government cannot easily back away from previous commitments, in those communities where there is resistance to the establishment of a GP Super Clinic, there is scope for change. The Government should meet its obligations to these communities by shifting the budget for the Super Clinic into GP infrastructure grants for existing practices that have a track record in the community of delivering good health services but who could do better with small infrastructure grants to expand services to patients.

12 October 2011

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                       Geraldine Kurukchi                 02 6270 5467 / 0427 209 753

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