Joondalup outcome a threat to health areas of need - AMA
AMA Federal Vice-President, Dr Trevor Mudge, said today that the Federal Court decision against the AMA (WA) over alleged breaches of the Trade Practices Act (TPA) at the Joondalup (WA) hospital between 1995 and 1997 will act as a deterrent to Australian-trained doctors being recruited and retained in health 'areas of need'.
Dr Mudge said 'areas of need' are usually in rural or outer suburban locations where medical services are already stretched.
"Contrary to the misleading rhetoric of ACCC Chair, Mr Allan Fels, the Joondalup case was all about attracting the best possible medical services to the area," Dr Mudge said.
"The AMA (WA) was acting in the best interests of the patients of that community.
"The odds will always be stacked against the doctors because of the way the ACCC chooses to apply the TPA to medical service providers.
"This legislation was designed to break up big business monopolies, not micro manage how individual doctors provide care for their patients.
"Looking after people's health is no ordinary business and this is not recognised by the Act or by the ACCC."
Dr Mudge said that currently more than half the Visiting Medical Offices (VMOs) in the public hospital system in rural and regional areas are overseas-trained doctors.
"Most of these doctors will serve an area for a relatively short time. This means there is little hope of doctors staying on for the long term to develop the sort of doctor-patient relationships that individuals and families enjoy in other communities," Dr Mudge said.
"The spectre of Mr Fels and the TPA will do nothing to help rural and regional and outer-suburban communities get the sort of medical services that other Australians take for granted.
"Rather than gloat about the court decision on Christmas Eve, Mr Fels should spare a thought for those Australians who are sick of having services ripped out of their communities and now fear seeing their doctors leaving as well.
"It is the season of goodwill. Perhaps now is the appropriate time for Mr Fels to look at the adverse consequences when his legislation is inappropriately applied," Dr Mudge said.
A Review of the effect of the Trade Practices Act on the recruitment and retention of rural doctors - initiated by Prime Minister John Howard - is currently taking submissions.
CONTACT: Dr Trevor Mudge 0413 733 701