10th Jun 2011 - Medical Observer
THE AMA has written to the first 15 Medicare Locals urging them to keep doctors central to governance, rule out holding funds and commit to working closely with GPs at every stage of setting up the new primary health hubs.
The AMA has strongly opposed the $416 million Medicare Locals program, arguing the Federal Government has failed to explain how it will improve GP services and is rushing through the reform with just weeks before the supposed 1 July start date.
Four of the first 19 Medicare Locals – all in Victoria – have not been publicly announced with the Government citing a need to redraw the boundaries as the final stumbling block.
The are expected to be named next week.
Yesterday, AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton wrote to the 15 publicly announced successful tenderers – all currently divisions of general practice – asking them to address concerns that the Medicare Locals structure will dilute the governance input of GPs and weaken patient care.
“We are concerned that the Government is rolling out its Medicare Local policy with desperate haste, despite a lack of detail and genuine consultation with the broader medical profession,” Dr Hambleton wrote in the letter.
“Integrating and coordinating the range of organisations and service providers operating within primary healthcare, and better linking primary healthcare and other sectors, is something that can deliver benefit if it is done well.
“However, there is a significant potential for Medicare Locals to get this wrong if they fail to listen to the views of the medical profession.”
The AMA has asked the Medicare Locals to confirm that local doctors would be represented at all levels and have “strong majority representation” on boards and rule out any fund-holding arrangement for GP and other specialist medical services.
Several divisions chosen among the first 19 Medicare Locals, contacted by MO this week, indicated that they would change their board structures to reflect the broader range of primary health professionals expected to be represented by the new bodies.
The AMA has strongly opposed the $416 million Medicare Locals program, arguing the Federal Government has failed to explain how it will improve GP services and is rushing through the reform with just weeks before the supposed 1 July start date.
Four of the first 19 Medicare Locals – all in Victoria – have not been publicly announced with the Government citing a need to redraw the boundaries as the final stumbling block.
The are expected to be named next week.
Yesterday, AMA president Dr Steve Hambleton wrote to the 15 publicly announced successful tenderers – all currently divisions of general practice – asking them to address concerns that the Medicare Locals structure will dilute the governance input of GPs and weaken patient care.
“We are concerned that the Government is rolling out its Medicare Local policy with desperate haste, despite a lack of detail and genuine consultation with the broader medical profession,” Dr Hambleton wrote in the letter.
“Integrating and coordinating the range of organisations and service providers operating within primary healthcare, and better linking primary healthcare and other sectors, is something that can deliver benefit if it is done well.
“However, there is a significant potential for Medicare Locals to get this wrong if they fail to listen to the views of the medical profession.”
The AMA has asked the Medicare Locals to confirm that local doctors would be represented at all levels and have “strong majority representation” on boards and rule out any fund-holding arrangement for GP and other specialist medical services.
Several divisions chosen among the first 19 Medicare Locals, contacted by MO this week, indicated that they would change their board structures to reflect the broader range of primary health professionals expected to be represented by the new bodies.
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