Sensible decision on after-hours GP care
The AMA today welcomed the Government’s decision to extend after-hours incentive payments for general practice until July 2013 when Medicare Locals and alternative after-hours funding arrangements are expected to be in operation.
The Government will extend Tier 1 Practice Incentives Program (PIP) After-Hours Incentives for another two years.
AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said the funding extension would ease concerns around a possible two-year gap in funding for practices that currently provide after-hours care.
“After-hours care is vital for patients,” Dr Pesce said.
“The incentives enable all practices to either provide after-hours care directly for their patients or to organise care elsewhere, such as through after-hours locum services.
“The AMA raised concerns about removal of the PIP incentives with the Government when it announced its new after-hours package earlier this year.
“The two year extension will allow practices to continue to provide after-hours services in their communities, and provides further opportunities for discussions around ongoing after-hours services.
“We need to ensure that any new after-hours arrangement does not disadvantage any general practice currently providing after-hours care or deter them from continuing to provide after-hours care to their patients,” Dr Pesce said.
1 December 2010
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