The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is pleased to learn past RACGP President Professor Claire Jackson has been selected to lead an independent review into after-hours primary healthcare services for the federal government.
Federal Health Minister, The Hon Peter Dutton announced the appointment this week stating: “Professor Jackson had extensive experience in primary care and a strong interest in health system reform, a topic on which she has published and presented internationally.”
The RACGP welcomes the decision to conduct a review of after-hours services, a recommendation of the government's March report into Medicare Locals conducted by former Chief Medical Officer Professor John Horvath.
RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles said Prof Jackson is the perfect choice to lead the review and will represent the general practice profession with professionalism and integrity.
“On behalf of the RACGP, I congratulate Prof Jackson on her appointment in this role. After hours has been an area of much concern to GPs, and Professor Jackson's understanding of the complexity of the issue and its impact on general practice will be extremely valuable in developing future recommendations," said Dr Marles.
The RACGP has long maintained that the provision of after-hours services conducted by GPs should be supported, and that the current arrangements considerably increase red tape for GPs providing after hours services for their communities.
“GPs already have established relationships with their patients and are best placed to provide after-hours care to patients; however, it is essential GPs are appropriately funded to deliver these services. said Dr Marles.
“It is simply not sustainable to remove funding for GPs providing after-hours care but expect the responsibility to remain with them.
“The RACGP believes the most effective model of after-hours care is one where funding for services goes directly to the GPs providing the care.”
The RACGP Standards for general practices (4th edition) states it is necessary that after-hours care “be appropriate to the needs of the patient; that it be timely and reliable; and that what is claimed to be available is actually provided.”
This means medical care provided outside normal working hours should be administered by recognised GPs or appropriately trained healthcare professionals qualified to meet the needs of the practice community.
The RACGP plans to lodge a submission into the review and awaits the release of formal invitations from the Department of Health (DoH).