Physiotherapists welcome progress
The Australian Physiotherapy Association welcomes the Rudd Government’s moves towards reform in some areas of the health system with the release of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission’s interim report - A Healthier Future for All Australians.
The Association however does not believe that it is a significant reform to allow highly trained health professionals access to Medicare only in rural and remote areas.
“The National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission has taken on board a number of recommendations from the Australian Physiotherapy Association submission.” said Pat Maher, President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Recommendation 2.7 allows physiotherapists to order diagnostic and specialist medical services and prescribe pharmaceuticals under Medicare, commencing in rural and regional areas and
expanding to areas of doctor scarcity.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association urges the Government to consider the needs of all health consumers, regardless of their geographic location or ability to access doctors. To achieve a
healthier future for all Australians, consumers require access to the most appropriate health professional for their condition.
“The Australian Physiotherapy Association recognises the urgent need for access to physiotherapy services in rural and remote areas. However filling an urgent service gap is not health reform. Allowing Australians access to the most appropriate health professional for their needs is essential for a healthier future.”
“We are also concerned at the recommendation that a doctor should be able to bill Medicare for a procedure conducted by another competent health professional, like a physiotherapist. It is our contention that highly trained physiotherapists should be able to bill Medicare for all approved procedures directly, not through a doctor.” said Maher.
Dr Christine Bennett, Chair of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission commented on the 7.30 Report on Monday that doctor scarcity extends far beyond rural and remote areas. The
Australian Physiotherapy Association would welcome any programme that extended access for Australians to physiotherapy.
Maher said, “It’s important to recognise however, that health professionals like physiotherapists and nurse practitioners are a vital part of the primary health care system. Scarcity of doctors is an
issue for patients needing to see doctors; it is not relevant to patients who need to see a physiotherapist.”
