An article published in the Newcastle Herald states, "THE federal government’s changes to Medicare will hurt the 'most vulnerable' and make practices unviable, says Dr Tony Isaac chairman of a newly formed Hunter GP group. The Hunter General Practitioners Association was officially launched on Monday night at Charlestown, with more than 100 doctors turning out to discuss how the changes to Medicare rebates will affect general practice. 'Our concern is for the patients,' he said. 'The cost alone will really threaten people and the most vulnerable. People will wait until their too sick to ignore it anymore and need more expensive interventions.'
Dr Isaac said that the GPs decision to start up the new association was prompted by Hunter Medicare Local’s transition into a Primary Health Network - which means it will have to look after a much larger geographical area. He said they would be giving doctors a local voice...'We need an organisation that can represent local general practice in the face of direct challenges to our practices and our patients.'"
Read the full article here.
Dr Isaac said that the GPs decision to start up the new association was prompted by Hunter Medicare Local’s transition into a Primary Health Network - which means it will have to look after a much larger geographical area. He said they would be giving doctors a local voice...'We need an organisation that can represent local general practice in the face of direct challenges to our practices and our patients.'"
Read the full article here.