A voice for general practice in health reform
Australia is acknowledged as a world-leader in healthcare, ranking third in the recent Commonwealth Fund report, but we can only maintain this position if health remains a priority for the incoming government. As Australia goes to the polls, we need a clear commitment for meaningful healthcare reform by both Labor and the Coalition.
Governments must recognise that the greatest benefit to patients and the most efficient and effective healthcare takes place in the community setting.
The implementation of reform requires real engagement with patients and the profession. GPs want their voices to be heard. If reform doesn’t work for general practice and our communities we know the reform is a wasted effort.
The RACGP has been actively involved in health reform, and has provided extensive feedback throughout the consultation process. In particular, the RACGP wants to see reforms that:
- Recognise and reward high quality general practice
- Shift the focus from hospital to community care
- Reduce red tape
- Invest in general practice infrastructure
- Support teamwork
- Introduce preventive health items
- Improve access to diagnostic tools
- Invest in e-health
- Fund general practice research
- Consider additional blended payments for people with chronic and complex care needs
- Support GP education and training
- Support practices in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Support international medical graduates.
To view the RACGP vision statement and strategic objectives, visit
www.racgp.org.au/council/strategicprinciples
The college’s written responses (most recent responses first) on government health reform initiatives can be accessed below.
The RACGP welcomes members’ views regarding health reform. If you wish to provide input regarding health reform, please send your feedback to healthreform@racgp.org.au.
06/01/2012
Senate Inquiry provides opportunity to address health disparities between rural, remote and urban communities
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) National Rural Faculty (NRF) has recently reinforced the need to eliminate long-standing health disparities between rural, remote and urban communities in Australia. In its submission to the Senate Inquiry, The factors affecting the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas, the NRF’s paper calls on the Government to address the entire range of essential requirements specific to rural and remote communities, from workforce shortages to gaps in resources and services.
31/10/2011Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Discussion Paper on Development of Fund Guidelines - Health Workforce Fund
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (“the College”) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) for the opportunity to comment on the Discussion Paper on the Development of Guidelines for the Health Workforce Fund.
11/08/2011RACGP Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee: Review of the Professional Services Scheme
The RACGP supports the legislative framework for the Professional Services review scheme, including peer review, of inappropriate practice.
28/07/2011RACGP Position Statement: Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR)
This document formulates the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP or ‘the College’) position on the PCEHR, including the role of the RACGP, the changing healthcare landscape, general practice in e-health and the role of general practice in the development of the PCEHR, general practitioner responsibility and potential risks .
07/06/2011RACGP Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing on Draft Concept of Operations relating to the PCEHR
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing for the opportunity to further contribute to the development of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR).
13/05/2011RACGP Overview of the Federal Budget 2011-2012
The Federal Government’s spending cuts in this year's budget affected a number of industries, including the health sector.
18/04/2011RACGP Submission to the Finance and Public Administration Reference Committee: Inquiry into the administration of health practitioner registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Finance and Public Administration Reference Committee for the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussions regarding national registration.
21/01/2011RACGP Submission to the Minister for Health and Ageing - Federal Budget 2011-2012
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding the Health and Ageing Budget for 2011-2012.
12/01/2011Submission to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care - Patient-Centred Care: Improving quality and safety by focusing care on patients and consumers
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) for the opportunity to respond to the Commission’s discussion paper on Patient-Centred Care.
01/12/2010RACGP welcomes new funding approach to after-hours care
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Federal Government that it will delay the removal of the after-hours Tier 1 Practice Incentive Payment (PIP). The government confirmed that the after-hours Tier 1 PIP, which was due to finish in July 2011, will continue until June 2013.
24/11/2010Letter to DoHA Regarding 2010 Review Medicare Provider Number Legislation
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks you for your letter dated 21 September 2010, inviting the RACGP to provide input regarding which issues should be listed for inclusion in the 2010 Review of the Medicare Provider Number Legislation.
15/09/2010Health Minister Meets GP Groups
Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, today met Australia’s peak general practice groups to discuss a range of issues that will have an impact on general practice, communities and patients in the Government’s second term.
16/08/2010College of GPs welcomes Labor’s focus on e-health
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed the Labor Party’s announcement that they will invest $392.3 million in online consultations and videoconferencing across a range of specialties, should the Labor Government be re-elected.
05/08/2010Coalition health policy recognises important role of general practice
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed the Coalition’s pledge of $365 million in funding for after hours services and GP infrastructure if they win the election.
30/07/2010Federal Election 2010 - Real and meaningful healthcare reform – we need it now
Australia is acknowledged as a world-leader in healthcare, ranking third in the recent Commonwealth Fund report1, but we can only maintain this position if health remains a priority for the incoming government. As Australia goes to the polls, we need a clear commitment for meaningful healthcare reform by both Labor and the Coalition.
14/07/2010Proposed diabetes funding needs more than fine-tuning
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging the government to meaningfully consult with the College and other stakeholders, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Diabetes Australia, in relation to its program for people with diabetes. As currently proposed, the government’s diabetes program does not have the College’s support.
05/07/2010Submission to the Medical Board of Australia regarding proposals for registration standards and guidelines
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) for the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussions regarding the national registration scheme for medical practitioners.
28/06/2010The Connecting healthcare in Australia
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has warmly welcomed the recent passing of the Healthcare Identifiers Bill through the Federal Parliament and is calling on all GPs to continue driving this process.
25/06/2010Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Development of a Quality Framework for the Medical Benefits Schedule – Discussion Paper
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding the development of a quality framework for the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
14/05/2010RACGP Overview of the Federal Budget 2010-2011
Overall RACGP position and budget highlights.
12/05/2010Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Review of the funding arrangements for pathology services
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding the review of funding arrangements for pathology services in Australia.
12/05/2010Submission to the Medical Board of Australia: Proposals for registration standards for limited registration for teaching or research and limited registration in the public interest
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Medical Board of Australia for the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussion regarding the national registration scheme for the health professions.
11/05/2010Federal Budget recognises the central role of general practice
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ response to Australian Government 2010-11 Health & Ageing Budget
06/05/2010Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review) Bill 2010
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding the Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review) Bill 2010.
30/04/2010Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Detailed Review of Funding For Diagnostic Imaging Services
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding funding arrangements for diagnostic imaging services.
21/04/2010College of GPs welcomes agreement on health reform
The Council of Australian Governments Meeting (CoAG), with the exception of Western Australia, agreed to establish a National Health and Hospital Network at yesterday's CoAG meeting.
12/04/2010GP-led primary health care teams a great way forward
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the Rudd Government’s announcement to establish primary health care organisations (PHCOs) building on the existing networks and divisions of general practice.
09/04/2010The RACGP Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Consultation Draft – Healthcare Identifiers Regulations 2010
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding Unique Health Identifiers.
09/04/2010Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee: Inquiry into Health Practitioner Regulation (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Senate Community Affairs Committee for the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussions regarding national registration, and the related Health Practitioner Regulation (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010.
07/04/2010The RACGP Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Removal of restrictions on pathology request forms
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing for the opportunity to contribute to the consultation process regarding proposed amendment to the Health Insurance Act 1973, which will allow patients to take pathology requests to an approved pathology provider of their choice.
31/03/2010College of GPs supports continuity of care
Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President, said that patient enrolment with a general practice provides the opportunity for practices to coordinate the care and services that can be delivered through general practice.
31/03/2010GP groups disappointed with lack of consultation over policy for patients with diabetes
The members of United General Practice Australia are disappointed that our organisations were not consulted by the Federal Government on today’s announcement in relation to proposed changes in arrangements for patients with diabetes. United General Practice Australia calls on the Government to consult with our organisations as a matter of urgency.
15/03/2010College of GPs welcomes investment in the future of general practice
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the government's commitment to increasing the number of general practice training places.
03/03/2010Future of Australia’s health in GPs’ hands
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has just presented the Government’s National Health and Hospital Network for Australia’s future report, which he described as ‘the most significant reforms to health and hospitals since the introduction of Medicare’.
10/02/2010Submission to the Medical Board of Australia: Proposals for registration standards for limited registration, a code of practice for the medical profession and a revised list of specialties and specialist titles
Discussion within this submission is made in response to the consultation paper titled "Proposals for registration standards for limited registration, a code of practice for the medical profession and a revised list of specialties and specialist titles", issued by the Medical Board of Australia.
28/01/2010RACGP warns against unsupported pharmacy nurses
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has joined the ACT Division of General Practice (ACTDGP), the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Pharmacy Guild in opposing the establishment of stand alone nurse practitioners working from pharmacies in the ACT.
22/01/2010Invest in the future of general practice – RACGP Federal Budget submission
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling for more funding for general practice in the May Federal Budget.
22/01/2010Submission to the Minister for Health and Ageing: Federal Budget 2010–2011
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding the Health and Ageing Budget for 2010-2011.
13/01/2010Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing: Exposure Draft Healthcare Identifiers Bill 2010
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the Department of Health and Ageing for the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding Unique Health Identifiers.
18/12/2009Response to the NHMRC Harmonisation of Multi-Centre Ethical Review Enabling System
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the NHMRC for the opportunity to contribute to development of the Harmonisation of Multi-Centre Ethical Review (HOMER) Enabling System. The HOMER system will reduce the administrative burden on general practice researchers by offering beneficial solutions to general practice researchers seeking to obtain ethics approval.
18/12/2009RACGP Response to the NHMRC Harmonisation of Multi-Centre Ethical Review Enabling System
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) thanks the NHMRC for the opportunity to contribute to development of the Harmonisation of Multi-Centre Ethical Review (HOMER) Enabling System. The HOMER system will reduce the administrative burden on general practice researchers by offering beneficial solutions to general practice researchers seeking to obtain ethics approval.
18/12/2009RACGP Response to the NHMRC Draft Strategy for Medical Research and Public Health Research
The RACGP commends the NHMRC on preparing a National Strategy for Medical Research and Public Health Research that acknowledges the important contributions of the public health and health services research to the improvement of health, and includes a flexible approach to support researchers who wish to pursue this goal.
06/11/2009Building Quality, Equity and Capacity in Health Systems: Revitalising General Practice
RACGP discussion paper in response to the Final Report from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, the Draft of Australia's First National Primary Health Care Strategy and its Primary Health Care Reform in Australia Report.
05/11/2009The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, Midwives/Nurse Practitioner Amendment
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon has circulated an amendment the Government intends to introduce into the Health Legislation (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill and the Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Bill.
22/10/2009RACGP briefing to members on "Australia: the Healthiest Country by 2020"
The Government's National Preventative Health Taskforce aims to make Australia the healthiest country worldwide by 2020. The RACGP supports proposed initiatives aimed at educating young Australians on health related issues, and strategies aimed at lower socio-economic groups and indigenous Australians.
01/10/2009The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, Address to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners National Conference
Thank you for having me here at your annual conference, and for giving me the opportunity to address the leaders of Australia’s General Practice community.
11/09/2009RACGP Briefing to Members on "A Draft Primary Health Care Strategy"
The draft National Primary Health Care Strategy report, Primary Health Care Reform in Australia, is largely positive for general practice. Core to the report is the recognition that general practice and primary health care are integral to the future Australian health care system.
28/08/2009RACGP fact sheet for: Non-medical practitioner access to MBS and PBS
The Federal Government is proposing changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) that would allow independent nurses practitioners and midwives to prescribe medicines and refer patients.
24/07/2009RACGP submission to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Towards national indicators of safety and quality in health care
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has been funded by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to develop national indicators of safety and quality in health care for Australia. This RACGP submission presents comments for the AIHW on its discussion paper "Towards national indicators of safety and quality in health care".
17/07/2009National Registration and Accreditation Scheme: Response to Exposure Draft of Bill B
A submission was made in response to the National Health Workforce Taskforce's (NHWT) call for submissions in relation to the exposure draft of the "Health Practitioner Regulation National Law" legislation (alternatively known as "Bill B").
18/05/2009RACGP response to AHWMC Communique of 8 May 2009 regarding proposed National Registration arrangements and proposed Accreditation arrangements
This submission was made in response to the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council's (AHWMC) communiqué of 8 May 2009 regarding the design of the proposed national registration and accreditation scheme.
30/04/2009RACGP submission to the 'Senate inquiry into national registration and accreditation'
The RACGP made a submission to the ‘Inquiry into National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Doctors and Other Health Workers’, which is being conducted by the Senate Community Affairs Committee. While the RACGP supports, in principle, the implementation of a national registration scheme for health care professionals, the college has a number of concerns about the current Council of Australian Government (CoAG) proposals, the consultation process and the implementation process.
03/04/2009The RACGP response to NHWT’s “Health education and training: clinical training – governance and organisation” discussion paper
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to discussion regarding proposals for a national body responsible for clinical placement and training.
07/03/2009RACGP response to the recommendation of the Maternity Services Review
The RACGP is committed to ensuring high quality maternity services in Australia and believes that general practice is ideally placed to play an active role in pregnancy care.
04/03/2009National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Interim Report
The RACGP welcomes the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission's strategic intent and directions, notably building the health system around primary health care, achieving greater equity, and emphasising comprehensive support in the early years.
27/02/2009RACGP response to government discussion paper titled “Towards a National Primary Health Care Strategy”
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussion regarding the National Primary Health Care Strategy. The College congratulates and supports the government in its ongoing efforts to maintain a highly qualified and skilled healthcare workforce.
20/02/2009Initial RACGP briefing to members on the Interim Report of December 2008 from the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission
The College has provided ten submissions, available at www.racgp.org.au/reports, over the past six months on government health reform issues.
13/02/2009Response to CoAG’s “Proposed arrangements for specialists within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions” consultation paper
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the opportunity to continue to contribute to the two separate discussions regarding proposals for medical and allied health professionals.
24/12/2008RACGP response to National Preventative Health Taskforce Discussion Paper: Australia, the healthiest country by 2020
Australia’s general practitioners stand ready to support a concerted campaign in prevention. General practitioners provide the majority of the 96 million non specialist services paid by Medicare each year (BEACH 2006). Many of these consultations provide an opportunity to address care requirements as well as “helping people to become more self reliant and better able to make the best choices to manage their own health needs”.
23/12/2008Response to CoAG's "Other matters for inclusion in Bill B" consultation paper
The RACGP continues to support the concept of a national registration system that will allow for greater workforce mobility and flexibility throughout Australia. However, the proposed CoAG model for national registration remains unnecessarily complex with a number of components, including accreditation, which are not related to the implementation of a national registration scheme.
19/12/2008RACGP Response to CoAG's "National Registration and Accreditation Scheme: proposed arrangements for information sharing and privacy"
Discussion within this submission is made in response to the information contained in the CoAG Consultation Paper entitled 'Proposed arrangements for information sharing and privacy'.
19/12/2008Response to CoAG's "National Registration and Accreditation Scheme: proposed arrangements for accreditation"
The college acknowledges the difficulties associated with the implementation of a national system for accreditation, including issues regarding the variations between health professions nationally.
21/11/2008RACGP Response to CoAG consultation paper regarding the proposed complaint arrangements
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussion regarding the implementation of a national registration system for medical and allied health professionals. The RACGP congratulates and supports the government in its ongoing efforts to maintain a highly qualified and skilled health care workforce.
31/10/2008RACGP Response to improving maternity services in Australia
The RACGP supports review of Australia's maternity services with a view to ensure access to safe, high quality care to women before, during and after birth.
29/10/2008Response to consultation paper regarding proposed registration arrangements
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussion regarding the implementation of a national registration system for medical and allied health professionals. The RACGP congratulates and supports the government in its ongoing efforts to maintain a highly qualified and skilled health care workforce.
05/09/2008The RACGP response to CoAG national registration and accreditation proposals
The Council of Australian Governments (CoAG), at its meeting on 14 July 2006, agreed to establish a single national registration and accreditation scheme for health professionals for implementation on 1 July 2010. The RACGP has provided input throughout the development process, and this week has provided comment following a recent consultation document issued by the Practitioner Regulation Subcommittee (on behalf of the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council) regarding issues supplementary to the COAG Intergovernmental Agreement.
29/08/2008The improvement of general practice primary care services. Submission to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (the RACGP/College) is pleased to have the opportunity to make a submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing Inquiry into Health Funding.