Doctors in Australia are worried that the country's health system may face similar challenges to the UK's as the government explores giving pharmacists, nurses, and other health professionals more authority to prescribe medicines and refer patients to specialists. An interim paper from the review suggests that expanding the prescribing and referral powers of non-medical health workers could reduce reliance on general practitioners, improve patient accessibility, and enhance the efficiency of the system.
Doctors fear Australia could follow the path of the United Kingdom’s struggling health system as the federal government probes changes that would give pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals more authority to prescribe medicines or refer patients to specialists.so that non-medical health workers – which also include midwives, physiotherapists and paramedics – can do more in a primary care system that relies heavily on general practitioners .
“And it has been frankly disastrous, with worse health outcomes, unhappy patients, and GPs fleeing – the number of UK-trained doctors in Australia increased a staggering 67 per cent from 2013 to 2021.” “The for example is in a state of critical workforce shortage with extensive backlogs. The United Kingdom has 3.2 doctors per 1000 people. Australia still sits above the OECD average at four doctors per 1000 people. The AMA is not arguing that we are not experiencing workforce pressures, but when looking to the NHS for models of care we must contextualise appropriately.”
It also suggested there be Medicare subsidies for professionals other than doctors to refer patients to specialists, to address a “widely discussed gap in the primary health care system and overreliance on GPs to manage all referrals”.Credit:The Royal Australian College of GPs reacted strongly to both suggestions and said the review was treating general practice as a problem or barrier, rather than a solution or protection for the health system.
Australia Health System Doctors Pharmacists Nurses Prescribing Powers Referral Powers General Practitioners Accessibility Efficiency
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Aged care workers to get 23% average pay boost as union heralds move as ‘one of the best outcomes’ ever achievedHealth Services Union says new benchmark pay rate will make sector competitive with public health system
Read more »
Sydney council removes public forum from meetings over staff mental health concernsCritics say move could undermine local democracy by making forums optional for councillors and staff
Read more »
Pope Francis presides over Easter Vigil service amid frail health concernsThe 87-year-old pulled out of this year's Good Friday procession at the Colosseum to protect his health ahead of other Easter engagements.
Read more »
Pope Francis presides over Vatican's Easter Vigil service amid concerns for his healthThe 87-year-old pulled out of this year's Good Friday procession at the Colosseum to protect his health ahead of other Easter engagements.
Read more »
Australia reveals concerns linked to cancellation of Gaza visasConcerns about how some Palestinians escaped Gaza led to the cancellation of their Australian visas, SBS News understands.
Read more »
Australia's Actions in Gaza Raise Concerns for Middle East PeaceAs Israel's war in Gaza continues, Australia's government's comments and actions are seen as contradictory to the interests of lasting peace in the region.
Read more »