GPs says next steps in primary care must be clear

12 September 2008

Independent Practitioners Association Council

Media Release

GPs says next steps in primary care must be clearer

The organisation representing community doctors and nurses says while Labour’s primary health care objectives released today were laudable, we have been hearing the same things for the past seven years.

IPAC’s Chair, Dr Bev O’Keefe, acknowledged the Government had invested in reducing the cost of general practice visits but it was now time for them to deliver on the promise of a primary health care led system and improved health outcomes.

``We strongly support affordable care, but it is in the hands of the government to maintain the value of their investment to ensure this.

``Mr Cunliffe’s vision of better links between public and community-based providers, and new service delivery models is fine but the barrier has been the mindset of governments and their failure to ask those who know how to achieve it.

``We are looking for a Government after the next election that will get its ideas for models and links from those who know the system best: health professionals in general practice and our allied health professions,’’ Dr O’Keefe said.

She said IPAC would soon release its own general practice election manifesto, setting out what it expects from the next Government.

ENDS

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