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Simplified multi purpose taxi forms online from 2011
15 September 2009.
The Department of Transport will simplify the multi purpose program taxi form and make it available online from early 2011, following AMA Victoria's War on Red Tape calls for the 16 page form to be streamlined.
The changes are expected to save Victorian general practices $748,000 a year and allow them to spend more time treating patients.
Dr Dennis Gration, a GP at the Belgrave Medical Clinic and Chair of AMA Victoria’s Maroondah subdivision, shared his frustrations with the taxi form on AMA Victoria’s War on Red Tape blog back in March, saying the form was "over the top".
"It went from one double sided page to 16 pages," Dr Gration said. "It is so onerous and invasive of people's privacy that many cannot understand it or feel overwhelmed.
"Once I would assist a patient and complete it on their behalf in a matter of minutes I am no longer able to allocate the time and cannot because of all the financial questions.
Dr Gration said the onerousness of the application process deterred some people with severe disabilities from getting the services they needed.
In March AMA Victoria took Dr Gration's concerns, along with anecdotes of red tape burdens from other Victorian doctors from the War on Red Tape blog, to Victorian Treasurer John Lenders. The Treasurer committed to a review of the taxi program application as part of the government's initiative to reduce red tape.
The Department of Transport's plans to streamline the Multi Purpose Taxi Program application and replace the form with an online application is now outlined in the Treasurer's Reducing the Regulatory Burden 2008-09 Progress Report.
AMA Victoria's President Dr Harry Hemley said reducing the burden of red tape on Victorian doctors would continue to be a priority for AMA Victoria.
"We are pleased the Victorian Government is treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves and making efforts to streamline paperwork requirements," he said.
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