Summary
Date: 27 July 2017
The MBS Review Taskforce released six reports for public consultation in June 2017, including its Preliminary report for consultation – Urgent after-hours primary care services funded by the MBS (the report).
The RACGP has responded to the report, supporting the intent of the recommendations put forward by the Taskforce, while recommending that eligibility to access the urgent after-hours items be linked instead to the establishment of formal deputising relationships and the qualification of the doctor providing the care.
The Submission outlined additional issues that were not addressed in the report, including that after-hours home visiting services:
- should only be provided by doctors with an appropriate level of education and clinical competency
- must work directly with local general practices to develop appropriate continuity arrangements
- need to appropriately triage patients
- need to be regulated
- should avoid advertising directly to the public.