11 December 2017

RACGP calls for review of acute care health services to support Tasmanian patients

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) will call for increased government support of general practice to ensure Tasmanian patients have access to word class healthcare at the Acute Health Services Inquiry tomorrow.

RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel says increased government support will allow Tasmanian GPs to deliver the best patient care to the community, and ease the strain on hospitals and non- GP specialist services.

“The Acute Care Review submission has been developed based on the principle that supporting the identified aspects of general practice will bring benefits to patients, funders, the profession and the wider community,” Dr Seidel said.

The following three strategies are proposed for investing in patient healthcare, to support the Tasmanian acute care sector:

  • $50k GP Innovation Payment to support practices in ensuring vulnerable patients do not end up readmitted to hospital, post discharge
  • Commitment to fund public non-GP specialist services in all regions, recognising GP “backfilling” in the absence of non-GP specialists with appropriate remuneration
  • Commitment to more mental health services, beds and support for GP led mental health in the community

“GP led community care offers the Tasmania health sector the best option for easing the weight on our public hospitals, and anything that supports our ailing acute care sector offers support to our patients in general practice,” Dr Seidel said.

“A furthered commitment from the Tasmanian Government would increase the ability to provide the full scope of care required for patients needing mental health services.”

“We need to act immediately to increase the capacity of public mental health services to support the work that GPs undertake in the community.”

Chair of RACGP Tasmania Dr Jennifer Presser, who will also be attending the Inquiry on Tuesday, says GPs play an important role in relieving readmission in hospitals of patients post discharge.

“RACGP Tasmania estimates that unexpected or unnecessary re-admission to hospital of general practice patients post discharge costs the Tasmanian health system up to $1.5 million per year,” Dr Presser said.

“RACGP Tasmania proposes that GPs be resourced to follow up patients who present in general practice post discharge.

“Patients who see their regular GP post discharge remove the work from the acute care space and ensures that any return to hospital is triaged by a specialist GP who knows the patient and their particular situation.”

“For most Australians, general practice is considered the first port of call when they need to access the Australian healthcare system, regardless of where they end up in that system.”

Dr Seidel and Dr Presser are scheduled to address the hearing at 2.15pm.


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