MBS review must prioritise evidence based, patient focused health care
The Federal Government has launched the consultation phase of its Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforceand all healthcare professionals are encouraged to take part.
The consultation serves as a timely reminder of the importance for us as GPs to engage and provide feedback in order to ensure the future quality of primary healthcare is upheld.
The RACGP released a statement yesterday calling for the review to prioritise the delivery of modern, efficient, quality, patient-focused care. We strongly support reducing waste in the health system, and will engage in constructive and solutions-focused discussions aimed at reducing over-diagnosis and over-treatment.
We don’t want to be cemented in the past.
We want to see a modern Medicare that best utilises scarce health resources to deliver high-quality patient care.
Time spent dealing with unnecessary red tape is time away from patients, which just adds further delay and inefficiency to the delivery of healthcare.
The argument for greater investment in primary healthcare is a clear.
It will result in long-term health savings because fewer people will be treated at hospitals, including out-patient services, where costs can be up to 10 times higher than in general practice.
This review cannot be about cost-cutting or budget balancing. And if the review finds that there are efficiencies to be achieved in certain patient services or procedures, the savings must be directly reinvested into the health system.
Consultation papers and further information can be found on the Department of Health website.
I encourage all RACGP members to take the time to read through the papers and provide feedback via the MBS Review Taskforce’s consultation hub.
Have a conversation with your patients and reiterate the value of general practice at the core of our health system. Improving patient health literacy must be a priority.
Dr Frank R Jones
RACGP President
Welcome to the 58th Council of the RACGP
The 58th Council of the RAGCP was officially appointed at GP15 in Melbourne last week.
Congratulations to Dr Tim Koh, who has assumed the role of Chair of Council. Dr Koh is a full-time practising GP from Perth and is also Chair of the RACGP WA Faculty.
Dr Bastian Seidel joins Council as Chair of the Tasmania Faculty. Dr Seidel is a rural GP from the Huon Valley, south-west of Hobart.
Dr Edwin Kruys has been appointed Chair of the Queensland Faculty. He is a full-time practising GP on state’s the Sunshine Coast.
The 58th Council of the RACGP will continue to lead the RACGP with a focus on proactive advocacy, guided by a strong evidence base.
The RACGP thanks outgoing councillors Dr Eleanor Chew and Dr David Knowles, both of whom are outstanding advocates for the profession and have played critical roles in driving the RACGP’s recent successes.
Dr Chew has served as RACGP Chair of Council for the past two years and Chair of the Queensland Faculty for the past five.
Dr David Knowles has been Chair of the RACGP Tasmania Faculty for six years, was RACGP Chair of Council for one year and Chair of the Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee for the past year.
Visit the RACGP website for further information about the RACGP Council.
RACGP – our story video
‘RACGP – our story’ is now available to watch on the RACGP YouTube channel.
This video tells the story of general practice, depicting the range of care delivered every day by Australian GPs.
Highlights from GP15, including interviews with speakers, the keynote address from Dr Alessandro Demaio and an interview with Federal Health Minister, Sussan Ley, are also now available to view on the RACGP Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.
RACGP clinical pearl – talking to your patient about female genital cosmetic surgery
If your patient is considering undergoing female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS), listen to them and explore the reasons for concern or requests for FGCS. Discuss the lack of long-term data on outcomes and satisfaction, inform them about the risks of the procedures and, where appropriate, referral to appropriate colleagues (such as gynaecologists, women’s health GPs and plastic surgeons) can be made.
Download your copy of the Female genital cosmetic surgery: a resource for GPs and other health professionals from the RACGP website.