Labor welcomes the government’s backflip to reallow nurses’ time to be claimed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, for carrying out health assessments. The intention was always that nurses and GPs would work together to perform over 75s health assessments, health assessments for permanent residents of residential aged care facilities as well as a range of other patients.
The Abbott Government has done nothing but harm to the health system since coming to government. Its backflip on yet another poorly conceived policy announced without consultation is welcome.
The Australian Medical Association warned that these changes would undermine team based primary health care arrangements. The AMA was right.
Tony Abbott should listen to the sector and now backflip on his plans to introduce a GP Tax, increase the cost of medicines by more than $1.3 billion, and cut more than $50 billion from Australia’s health system.
Tony Abbott’s Minister for Health is quickly developing a reputation as being the most incompetent health minister Australia has ever had.
Reform of the health system can only occur by working with those who work in the sector and listening to the experts. The Abbott Government has failed to do both.