The Hunter General Practitioners Association has been established to ensure that
General Practice in the Hunter urban region has a strong voice
in the ongoing development of our region’s health system.
Recently announced changes to the MBS represent a clear and present danger to general practices and our patients.
“A reduction in the rebate will save the government money, but unless this reduces service use, it only means that patients will pay more, or doctors will be paid less for the same amount of work. In other words, it will shift the cost to patients or doctors, not reduce the use of real resources.” (Professor Jeff Richardson, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University)
Threatening the viability of general practices will have far-reaching consequences, including impacts on the ability of practices to provide quality chronic disease management, preventative care, and training for our future GPs.
Where is the voice for General Practice in this?
In another major change, funding for Medicare Locals will cease from July 2015, and the Hunter Medicare Local will be replaced by a Primary Health Network stretching from the Central Coast up to the Queensland border.
GPs in the Hunter are concerned about the impact of these changes on health care for their patients. The establishment of a regional and independent association of Hunter GPs can ensure that general practice has strong and consistent input into changes to healthcare in our region.
“Our health system is faced with unsustainable increases in the costs of hospital care which can only be contained by a strong primary health care system, lead by strong general practice. The Hunter General Practitioners Association will work to ensure that we build sustainable general practice, and the right health system for our region for the future.”
Dr Fiona van Leeuwen, GP, Hamilton
“A reduction in the rebate will save the government money, but unless this reduces service use, it only means that patients will pay more, or doctors will be paid less for the same amount of work. In other words, it will shift the cost to patients or doctors, not reduce the use of real resources.” (Professor Jeff Richardson, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University)
Threatening the viability of general practices will have far-reaching consequences, including impacts on the ability of practices to provide quality chronic disease management, preventative care, and training for our future GPs.
Where is the voice for General Practice in this?
In another major change, funding for Medicare Locals will cease from July 2015, and the Hunter Medicare Local will be replaced by a Primary Health Network stretching from the Central Coast up to the Queensland border.
GPs in the Hunter are concerned about the impact of these changes on health care for their patients. The establishment of a regional and independent association of Hunter GPs can ensure that general practice has strong and consistent input into changes to healthcare in our region.
- The Hunter General Practitioners Association will lobby on behalf of local GPs.
- It will work constructively with the HNECC Primary Health Network and other organisations towards the best possible healthcare for our community.
- It will promote general practice as being the leaders of efficient, effective and sustainable health care
- It will advocate on behalf of Hunter GPs and their patients, promote collaborative relationships with other healthcare providers.
- It will provide a forum for issues affecting general practice in the Hunter, and be a ‘go to point’ for others seeking opinions on such issues.
“Our health system is faced with unsustainable increases in the costs of hospital care which can only be contained by a strong primary health care system, lead by strong general practice. The Hunter General Practitioners Association will work to ensure that we build sustainable general practice, and the right health system for our region for the future.”
Dr Fiona van Leeuwen, GP, Hamilton
