The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Association of Practice Managers (AAPM Ltd) have signed a second Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen collaborative efforts between the two organisations.
The newly agreed framework focuses on the commitment and cooperation of both organisations to promote and extend general practice management in Australia for the benefit all Australian patients.
Dr Eleanor Chew, RACGP Vice-President, said the MoU will develop and foster an ongoing strategic alliance between both professions; an alliance designed to improve the delivery of health services across the country.
“The RACGP recognises the integral role that Practice Managers play, working alongside general practitioners (GPs), in ensuring the smooth running of medical practices.
“It is the robust systems and processes in place to support the business and clinical side of general practice that transfers to a high level of satisfaction and enhanced patient care for all general practice patient presentations,” said Dr Chew.
Carolyn Ingram, AAPM Ltd President, said the signing of this MoU reinforces the team-based approach to primary healthcare, which will further enhance the capability and capacity of general practice.
"It is within the practice management scope that exemplary patient care is fully realised. The business and clinical support, as per the AAPM core principles of practice management – encompassed in recall reminder systems, appointment booking, billing, change management and eHealth initiatives and accreditation – is vital to the sustainability of the practice and overall perception of the primary healthcare system."
“We welcome this alliance as a great step forward in a healthcare environment where the importance of collaboration, cooperation and team care is recognised in achieving accessible health services and improved patient health outcomes,” said Ms Ingram.
The RACGP and AAPM Ltd acknowledge the long standing partnership that GPs and Practice Managers share and are dedicated to act together to strengthen this alliance through the signing of this MoU.