The 2016 Federal Budget has done absolutely nothing to reverse the increasing pressure on Australia’s world-class healthcare system according to The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) President Dr Frank R Jones.
“This is an illogical Budget which has taken no heed of the sensible advice from the RACGP.”
By extending the freeze on the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) for a further two years, the Government is threatening the future and quality of general practice patient services, the frontline of Australia’s healthcare,” he said.
“Extending the freeze until 2019-20 is calamitous and will lead to a loss of more $925 million from MBS funding; it may leave general practices unviable – which is just an extraordinary outcome.”
In 2015 the nation’s GPs saw 85 percent of Australia’s population providing 140 million patient services at a fraction of the cost of more expensive hospital and other specialist care.
“Reversing the freeze on the indexation of the MBS is absolutely essential to maintain high quality healthcare services. The RACGP will now step up its campaign for reversal of the freeze, lobbying all parties, informing our patients of our disappointment, and advising them as to how it will affect them as we head into a Federal Election,” Dr Jones said.
A key recommendation made by the RACGP in its pre-budget submission, funding for a pilot for trialing the implementation of the patient-centred medical home, received some support in the budget but not enough.
“The $21.3 million proposed to pilot this crucial program won’t provide patients with enhanced quality services,” Dr Jones said.
“This figure equates approximately $8.93 per patient per month, compared to $45 per call for the My Aged Care Hotline.
“The Federal Government is responsible for the health of the nation, and tonight's budget fails to recognise cost-effective quality general practice-based patient care.”