SWSLHD and Bowral's Health - 54

E-health records one step closer

24th Nov 2011

Andrew Bracey and AAP   all articles by this author

Medical Observer

THE federal government has taken another step towards setting up its patient-controlled electronic health records (PCEHRs) system, with Health Minister Nicola Roxon introducing the legislation to Parliament yesterday.

Ms Roxon said the proposed national system – which has attracted criticism from doctors for the lack of remuneration offered to GPs who would be responsible for helping to set up and maintain the records – would drag
the management of health records into the 21st century.

She said individuals' health information was fragmented rather than attached to the patient, resulting in unnecessary retesting, delays and medical errors.

Hospital studies have indicated that 9–17% of tests are unnecessary duplicates, and 18% of medical errors are attributed to inadequate patient information.

Ms Roxon said a government analysis estimated the net economic benefit of e-health records at $11.5 billion to 2025.

The absence of such records demonstrated the difficulties of health reform – "the fragmentation, the vested interests and the balancing priorities".

Ms Roxon said the bill would set up the legal basis for the new system when it starts on 1 July 2012.

She said any Australian would be able to register to have a PCEHR and would be able to decide who could access it and the extent of the access.

Patients and organisations authorised to access the information would be subject to existing privacy laws.

The health department will initially run the system, though this may be transferred to a statutory authority.

An independent council would advise on clinical, privacy and security matters.

Debate on the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Bill 2011 was adjourned.

 
Tags: PCEHR, E-health, Roxon, legislation

SWSLHD and Bowral's Health - 21

Stop cuts to mental health funding: doctors’ plea

29th Sep 2011 Andrew Bracey   all articles by this author

DOCTORS have made a plea to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon to place a moratorium on the looming cuts to Better Access funding in order to provide adequate time for the government to consider the outcome of an ongoing Senate inquiry.

With the inquiry due to hand down its final report on the government’s handling of mental health funding by 20 October, AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton said the 1 November deadline for the introduction of the funding cuts was premature.

“This leaves very little time for serious consideration of the Senate committee report,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Ten days is not enough. The Minister must defer the implementation of the changes to the Better Access program until at least 1 November 2012 to allow proper consideration of the compelling evidence against the cuts,” he said.

Dr Hambleton argued the 12-month moratorium on Better Access funding would provide adequate time for the government “to acknowledge the error of its ways and restore the Better Access funding”.

If the government fails to agree to the requested moratorium, the current rebate of $163.35 for a mental health plan for GPs trained in level 1 mental health skills, will be replaced by a rebate based on timed consultations from 1 November.

The new rebates will be $85.92 for a plan written during a consultation of 20–39 minutes, $126.43 for a 40-minute consult for GPs trained in mental health skills, and $67.65 and $99.50 respectively, for GPs without the training.

Tags: Stop cuts to mental health funding: doctors plea

Comments:

sergie
29th Sep 2011
6:20pm

A Mental Health Care Plan after 1st November 2011

Dear Mr... Ms... Um...the patient didn't know your name,

This patient, what's his name? - for the medicare rebate, I didn't have the time to get his either - suffers from depression/ anxiety/bipolar disorder/ delusions/ hallucinations/child abuse/ absent self-esteem/ obsessive-compulsive behaviour/ anti-social tendencies/ addictions to alcohol, gambling and pethidine/ dyslexia/ uncontrollable anger/ suicidal ruminations/ wishes to kill someone/ (cross out whichever does/do not apply), carries/rope/ a knife/ gun/hand grenade/assorted explosives wherever he goes (ditto) and has been prevailed upon by his bullied/battered/abused/neglected wife and children to change his ways.

I look forward to your comprehensive report and continuing management of this man.

With thanks.

 

tvkdas
29th Sep 2011
7:24pm

I almost 100% bulk bill but have drawn the line in the sand. As it takes me time to do a proper care plan, I will charge a fair fee for the plan as a reflection of this as well as my expertise (which, mind you, they insisted on us "upskilling" through the additional training for the higher rebate and then about face with this plan to decimate the rebate) and I will make it abundantly clear to my patient that it is Julia Gillard and her health minister Nicola Roxon who feel that they do not feel it worthy to support my patient's access to a fair rebate and so they will be out of pocket significantly as a result.

 

ondocfarm
1st Oct 2011
6:46am

Typical AMA, asleep at the wheel, too little too late and now trying to shut the stable door long after the horse as bolted!!