The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners believes whoever forms the next Government must commit to evidence-based health policy and focus on the adequate funding of general practice.
“Australia has spoken and made it undeniably clear they want the freeze on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) for GPs lifted,” RACGP President, Dr Frank R Jones said.
The absolute first priority for the incoming Government should be to end the freeze on the MBS and then agree to look at a long-term sustainable strategy to properly fund primary healthcare patient services.
The new Government must explain where it stands on the future of the most efficient and effective part of the medical system – and gain the trust of the Australian people on general practice.
“If it remains unchecked the freeze will leave many general practices unviable and disproportionally affect the most vulnerable patients and those in lower socio-economic and rural areas. Essentially, we’ll see a withering away of access – which is a terrible outcome.
“The RACGP is seeking progressive health reform and a genuine commitment to the future of general practice from our political leaders on all sides.
“We need to strengthen general practice as the main driver of primary health. General practice can reign-in the high-costs of hospitals by avoiding unnecessary admissions and encouraging discharge of patients into the care of GPs who know their patients best.
“We are committed to discussing funding models and finding solutions for a sustainable and effective primary health care system,” Dr Jones said.
The RACGP’s platform for the 2016 Federal Election calls for the next Government to:
- immediately reinstate annual indexation of the MBS patient rebates for general practice services, so that patient rebates keep pace with the cost of providing high-quality healthcare that Australians expect
- commit to properly fund quality and comprehensive general practice through implementation of the patient-centred medical home model (as outlined in the RACGP’s Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare system) a model of primary healthcare.
- “In a patient-centred medical home, patients have a stable and ongoing relationship with a general practice that provides continuous and comprehensive care throughout all life stages. This model is the most cost effective way to address the needs of patients, healthcare providers and funders,” Dr Jones said.