John Menadue’s article (P&I, June 24) is timely. The problem of timely access to non-GP specialist care is worsening. Medicare rebates have fallen so far behind inflation that increasing them with catch-up rises is politically unlikely. Capping fees will irritate non-GP specialists even if the caps have no impact on their current billing.
Increasing publicly funded services is the best option. Not only would newly-minted specialists take up the work, but many at the other end of their careers with vast experience may see such opportunities as a way to wind back from full-time work.
Providing services in community settings away from public hospitals is likely to be cheaper, and more effective. Whilst hospital executives might be sensitive to out-patient waiting times, elective surgery waiting lists and A&E waiting times more commonly capture the attention of the media and politicians.
Medicare Urgent Clinics are a costly precedent. Done properly Medicare Specialist Clinics could provide non-GP specialist services at a reasonable cost.
Indeed, co-locating services within GPs surgeries might help reduce the burden of referrals if GPs have near immediate advice available within their own four walls.