Poll: GPs fail to see merits of Medicare Locals

THE Federal Government is facing an uphill battle to convince GPs that Medicare Locals are worthwhile, with a recent MO poll indicating that half do not see advantages in the new bodies. 

The national poll of 150 GPs revealed just 14% were on board with the pending transformation of divisions of general practice. The Federal Government has budgeted $290.5 million for the transformation. 

Eighty-three per cent of those surveyed did not believe the new bodies would lead to improved planning of primary health care services – a key objective of Medicare Locals. Seventy-two per cent did not believe the bodies would create better links between GPs and allied health.

The poll, conducted for MO by Cegedim Strategic Data, highlighted GP fears that Medicare Locals would create new layers of bureaucracy and blame-shifting, and would divert attention from local issues. 

“The spin is that they will be closer to the community but in fact, because of their size and complexity they will be much more distant,” said Dr Leon Massage, CEO of the Greater Monash GP Network. 

Dr Adrian Sheen, president of Doctors Action, said he was “absolutely frightened” at the level of bureaucracy that would be created by Medicare Locals. “The bureaucrats running these organisations will be increasingly remote from the local GP and the patient in front of them,” he said. 

AGPN chair Dr Emil Djakic was not surprised GPs were anxious about the change, but said he was encouraged by the number of respondents who were in favour. 

Nick Zwar, professor of general practice at the University of NSW, agreed GPs were typically cynical about change. 

“GPs are skeptical about change unless they can clearly see the advantages of what is being proposed for their patients and/or their practices – and this has not been well articulated to date with [Medicare Locals],” he said. 

This poll was conducted for Medical Observer by Cegedim Strategic Data research company