The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging the incoming New South Wales state government to build on the existing strengths of general practice to ensure communities receive the high quality healthcare they deserve.
In its policy briefing document released this week, the College advocates that the incoming state government should integrate primary healthcare with other functions in the health system, address the culture of doubling up general practice services and payments and create a stronger role for GPs in the hospital system.
RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty Chair Dr Elizabeth Marles said that the incoming government will have a critical opportunity to improve the NSW healthcare system by increasing the focus on the key role played by general practice.
"The College recommends that the incoming NSW government builds upon existing relationships with key general practice bodies in order to help extend the reach of the general practice profession for the future."
Key recommendations made by the College include:
- Building a transparent and constructive partnership with general practice peak bodies in NSW, including the RACGP through its NSW&ACT Faculty, in order to maximise general practice's state-funded contribution to the health system
- The implementation of a GP 'express referral' service to enable instant after hours access for GP-referred patients to hospital diagnostic and treatment services that can immediately be referred back to general practice care
- Funding for meaningful GP involvement in hospital admission and discharge
- Hospital-based training for GPs and GP training for hospital-based generalist doctors
- Integration of state community health services with the primary care sector.
Dr Marles said t he College would welcome immediate discussions with the NSW government that forms as a result of the March state election regarding the integration of NSW Health's community health services and the primary health care sector led by general practice.
" There is no reason that the incoming NSW government should not commit itself to a robust and extensive consultation with peak GP organisations, such as the RACGP, in order to avoid service duplication and maximise the capacity of general practice to contribute fully to the state-funded health system.
"We hope the next state government considers our recommendations in full in order to improve the healthcare system for patients and GPs alike," she said.
The College is committed to working with all levels of government to improve access to high quality care to better meet the needs of Australian communities.
Source:
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)