Consultation Time a Hot Issue for Central Coast Candidates
Federal election candidates on the Central Coast will get a full hour with local doctors to discuss the health needs of the local community at a forum hosted by the AMA in Terrigal on Thursday 5 August.
AMA Federal Vice President Steve Hambleton said one of the big topics of discussion would be how Medicare works against patients getting to spend quality time with their family doctor.
“A national survey conducted by AMA earlier this year found that the number one issue for patients was the need for the system to allow them to have longer consultations when needed with their family doctor.
“Patients told us they would like more time to discuss their health issues with their family doctors. And from the doctor’s point of view, more face-to-face time would help them to provide a greater level of personal care.
” Dr Hambleton said family doctors from the Central Coast would be stressing the importance of consultation time when they sit down to discuss health issues with the candidates for both Robertson and Dobell.
“Over 17 million Australians visit their family doctor at least once a year, so primary care deserves to be at the forefront of political debate.
“That‘s why we’re engaging directly with candidates from all parties and talking to them about the real issues which affect all Australians all year round.
” Dr Hambleton said politicians could do two things to help doctors spend more time with patients.
“Family doctors are calling for a review of the Medicare schedule, with a view to increasing the amount of flexibility doctors have over the length of consultation times.
“Secondly, family doctors need to be set free from the burden of excessive paperwork and regulation.
“Doctors should be spending less time filling out forms and more time in the surgery, helping people with the their health problems.
” The AMA Doctors4Health Roundtable is open to the media and will be held at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal from 1pm to 2.30pm. Dr Hambleton and AMA (NSW) Councillor Dr Brian Morton will be visiting local family doctor surgeries at 11am and 3.30pm – media are also invited to attend these visits Media Contacts: Anil Lambert 0432 828 006 / Tanzeem Parkar 0419 402 955
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