The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) says restricting access to the Medicare rebate for after-hours doctor services will not result in Queensland’s hospitals and ambulance service being flooded with patients.
In response to comments made by Queensland State Health Minister Cameron Dick over the weekend, Chair of RACGP Queensland Dr Edwin Kruys said there is little evidence that after-hours services reduce demand on Queensland public hospital emergency departments and ambulance services.
“Restricting access to the Medicare rebate will not have a ‘disastrous impact’ on our ambulance service and public hospitals,” Dr Kruys said.
“Despite the rhetoric, the data simply does not support the contention that the proliferation we’ve seen in after-hours services has reduced emergency department presentations at hospitals. It is just baseless scare mongering.”
Dr Kruys said after-hours home visiting services played an important role in Australia’s health system but changes had to be made to ensure the care provided in after-hours visits would be of the same quality and safety standards as in-hours care.
“There are concerns that some of the current urgent after-hours arrangements support low-value medical care and don’t represent value for money for the taxpayer.
“Some of the after-hours services are delivered by doctors who are not qualified to provide independent general practice care.
Dr Kruys said the RACGP recommends higher-priced Medicare rebates should continue for home visits and after-hours visits provided by GPs or medical deputising services that may specialise exclusively in after-hours home visits.
“In the end, the most important thing is that Australian patients receive the same standards of care after-hours as during office hours, and all steps should be taken to encourage that care is delivered by the patients’ regular GP.”
“The RACGP will continue to work closely and collaborate with GPs and their patients, other professional medical organisations and the Federal Government to ensure we get the best possible health outcomes for patients across Australia,” Dr Kruys said.