May 11 2004
The Australian Government has today outlined additional measures to reduce the red tape burden on GPs. Reducing red tape means that GPs can spend more time on patient care and less time on paperwork.
The centrepiece will be changes to the Practice Incentives Program and the Enhanced Primary Care Items – to make the administration of the programs simpler from the GP’s perspective whilst retaining the integrity of these programs. This includes retaining the Service Incentives Payments pending the results of evaluations. A review will be conducted in consultation with GPs and other interested groups to consider further changes.
As a result of these initiatives, the PIP and EPC Items will become easier to administer.
Following consultations with GPs there will also be more responsive and coordinated communications between the Department of Health and Ageing and GPs. This will include ways to make the most of advances in information technology: for example, using electronic forms and developing a single Internet access point for government information and health programs.
The government will also examine ways to streamline the registration process for GPs, including the possibility of introducing a single provider number. We will be working closely with GP groups to identify the best way to make these changes.
While some “red tape” is unavoidable, the measures announced today will reduce processes to ensure GPs can spend more time with their patients.