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United voice for Australian General Practice

15 October 2008

1. Invest in what works.

Recognising the Government’s primary healthcare reform agenda, enhance the 7300 GP practices as the hub of primary healthcare reform working in collaboration with other primary healthcare providers.

Provision of quality primary healthcare in Australia led by GPs requires:

• a multi disciplinary integrated team based approach
• investment in the teaching and training of health professionals in general practices
• better linkages between general practice and other healthcare providers
• ability to use data to drive quality improvement in patient care

2. Recognise and reward quality practice.

Incentives and rebates for team-based care to enable and reward high quality primary healthcare and enable improved health outcomes for patients.

Support for the continued role of general practice in the provision of preventative healthcare and health promotion.

3. Workforce to ensure improved access.

Address general practitioner workforce shortages and future workforce demands in general practice.

• 1000 fully funded three-month pre-vocational placements in general practice by 2011.
• a minimum of 100 additional full-time equivalent general practice training places each year to reach 1500 places by 2015.
• Recognise the valuable role of international medical graduates and provide support, mentoring and training to enable them to contribute fully in the Australian healthcare system.

Increase the number of general practice nurses and support their role.

We acknowledge Closing the Gap statement and call on Australian Governments to take action to implement its recommendations.

Support for training of Indigenous Australians as medical practitioners.

4. National Registration and Accreditation

Support a streamlined system of national registration for medical practitioners.

Safeguard the standards of medical practice in Australia through an independent medical accreditation body and the retention of the existing role of the Colleges in training, professional standard setting and continuing professional development.

Publication Date: 15 October 2008
Authorised By: Office of the CEO and President