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Beware of faceless medicine
09 August 2010.
AMA Victoria has warned voters in marginal seats they face restricted access to their family doctor if the Commonwealth Government’s diabetes proposal goes ahead.
Brochures are being delivered to GP clinics in marginal Victorian seats today entitled ‘Beware faceless medicine,’ explaining how the government’s GP diabetes enrolment model threatens to deny patients the right to see a doctor of their choosing and allows treatment options to be determined by available funds, rather than the needs of the patient.
AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley said patients valued their right determine when they could see a doctor and to see a doctor of their choice.
"The family doctor is the first point of contact in the health system for most Australian families," he said. "When people get sick or injured or want advice about their health, they want to see a doctor.
"If the government’s plan is implemented it will be the first time since 1 February 1984 that Australians patients will not have access to a Medicare rebate when they see their family doctor.
"I urge the government to re-examine its current proposals for providing care for people with diabetes to ensure that patients are cared for by their own doctor, funding is not capped, and patients will not required to surrender their Medicare rebate.
"Every Australian has the right to see a family doctor of their choice as often as needed.
"Good health policy will win votes and supporting family doctors must be the foundation of the major parties’ health policies."
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