The AMA has released its AMA Chronic Disease Plan: Improving Care for Patients with Chronic and Complex Care Needs, responding to the growing challenge of chronic disease in an ageing population.

 

The AMA supports a comprehensive approach to the management of chronic and complex disease based on arrangements that:

  • Provide GP-coordinated access for patients to services based on clinical need;
  • Provide a patient’s usual GP with the support they need to improve the care they can provide/organise for patients with chronic and complex disease; 
  • Support GPs to facilitate access for their patients to other members of a multi-disciplinary primary care team;
  • Continue to ensure that funding follows the patient; 
  • Lead to better collaboration with existing service providers; and
  • Simplify and enhance the existing MBS chronic disease arrangements.

 

 

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said the plan sets out ways to improve the treatment of people with complex and chronic disease in primary care.

 

“Chronic disease now accounts for about 70 per cent of the allocated health expenditure on disease and it is estimated to increase significantly in the immediate future.

 

“Current Medicare funded chronic disease management arrangements are too limited, are difficult for patients to access, and involve considerable red tape and bureaucracy.

 

“The AMA plan offers patients with multiple chronic conditions and related complex care needs improved access to GP-coordinated quality primary care.

 

“The plan enhances existing arrangements and supports patients to spend more time with their GP when they need to.

 

“It provides patients with streamlined access to a broad range of allied health and other support services and it supports a more proactive approach to the delivery of care.

 

“Australia’s high-quality primary health care system is built on the leading role of GPs. GPs must be given greater support and scope to provide access to multidisciplinary care and support services for patients with chronic and complex disease.”

 

The AMA Chronic Disease Plan: Improving Care for Patients with Chronic and Complex Care Needs is at http://ama.com.au/node/5519