AMA sets up GP voice for Medicare Locals
The AMA is creating GP consultation groups in each of the Medicare Local districts to “empower” doctors to have a leading role in how the organisations are run.
AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton said he would be travelling to each of the first 19 Medicare Local areas to help the groups ensure the AMA primary care message is “spread” throughout the communities.
Speaking in Canberra today, Dr Hambleton said that the organisations needed GPs on their boards in order to work, and he had already written to Health Minister Nicola Roxon and chairs of the Medicare Locals to express his concerns.
“Our view of Medicare Locals is that, if they are implemented correctly and with the right intentions, they can work,” he said.
“But doctors have to be core parts of the process.”
The announcement came as the AMA released the results from its latest online poll in which 760 GPs responded about the planned cuts to Medicare patient rebates.
Around a quarter of GPs said they would stop using Medicare GP Mental Health Treatment items following the cuts.
Around 85% said they believed fewer patients would receive vital care and just over half said they thought the budget cuts will lead to them spending less time with patients with mental health problems.
Doctors also revealed that the average time taken to prepare a mental health plan during and outside a consultation is 52 minutes, not the 28 minutes suggested by the government.
