GPs losing patience with red tape
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said today that the growing red tape burden on Australia's GPs is an impediment to high quality patient care and is a major factor contributing to doctor shortages in areas of health need.
Dr Phelps was commenting on the AMA's submission to the Productivity Commission's Review of Red Tape In General Practice.
"Red tape is strangling GPs," Dr Phelps said.
"Research based on direct polling of doctors and Relative Value Study (RVS) calculations indicates that red tape could be costing many GPs as much as $15,000 a year.
"But it's not just the financial cost, it is the time lost that would be better spent with patients, with family, or at leisure. Doctors need a life, too.
"Surveys constitute a major part of the red tape burden for GPs.
"The Federal Government's Statistical Clearing House estimates that general practice makes up just two per cent of the business community it surveys, but is hit with a disproportionate 17 per cent share of the survey load of the business community.
"More than 70 per cent of GPs believe the impact of paperwork is compromising the treatment they offer their patients.
"Red tape associated with blended payments and accreditation compliance costs far outweighs any quality outcomes.
"And the recent privacy legislation has added another layer of administration to the GP workload.
"The Government is over-bureaucratising general practice in Australia.
"GPs are losing patience and their patients are losing out," Dr Phelps said.
The complete submission is available on the AMA website - www.ama.com.au - under General Practice/ Submissions.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Crichton (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076