Rudd's diabetes policy announcement

Cameron · Apr 1, 2010

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Kevin Rudd out with a taster.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...-treat-diabetics/story-e6frea8c-1225848231016

toeslayer

LuckyLisfranc · Apr 1, 2010

Re: Will you vote for this man?

This is not good for podiatry.

GPs and primary care organisations/Divisions will have control of the $250 of Commonwealth funding allocated for 'relevant services'. No doubt the Divisions will take a cut of this. If anything, a worsening of the current EPC/TCA system.

I predict that patients will be worse off under this system, and unscrupulous GP practices will milk the system for non-complicated patients, and refuse to enrol the difficult ones.

Patients and podiatrists will be losers. It must be opposed.

LL

Two Shoes · Apr 2, 2010

Re: Will you vote for this man?

I totally agree with you LL.

It was notable that the AMA was miffed because they were not consulted regarding this plan.

My question is why should the AMA be consulted, to a great degree, about this plan?

The AMA is an interest group, albeit a powerful one, so there response to the government would be predictable.

NewsBot · Apr 6, 2010

Re: Will you vote for this man?

Press Release:

PODIATRY COUNCIL PRESIDENT SLAMS ‘ILL CONCEIVED’ DIABETES INITIATIVE

Australasian Podiatry Council President Brenden Brown has expressed grave concern about the Commonwealth Government’s announcement of extended support for GP management for patients with diabetes.

He said: “As part of the health care team we podiatrists welcome the injection of funds. But we are still waiting for improved patient outcomes gained by the foot health team to be acknowledged and explicitly funded.

“In this initiative from the Prime Minister’s office GPs are seen as the gatekeepers between primary and tertiary care - a view not previously supported by the Minister for Health and Ageing.

“Earlier this month in excess of $600million was announced to address the overburdened, overextended, and exhausted GP. So what benefits will there be to patient outcomes under this scheme which will require more time from a GP and not less?

“Podiatrists actually treat people with diabetes who are at risk of foot ulceration and indeed amputation. We know a multidisciplinary team of a physician, podiatrist, and vascular surgeon could prevent 80 per cent of all amputations. So why are podiatrists not mentioned in this new initiative? Physiotherapists are – and what do they know of wound management?

“We welcome the day when the government does not just ‘walk the talk’ on integrated care but puts it front and centre of primary care. That means identifying correctly patient needs and which team members are the most appropriate to address that issue. Maybe they should have asked the professions? Maybe consulted?

‘And there is another issue. Have our tired GPs become fund holders? There will be ‘payments of around $1,200 a year on average for every enrolled patient – to cover the costs of day to day GP care and additional services’ and ‘...around $10,800 a year for the average general practice, paid in part on the basis of performance in providing better care and improving health outcomes.’

He asked: ‘Are GPs experienced fund holders? Will they dole out the funds or retain. Will they ‘shop cheap’ for the services of other members of the care team? Insulation anyone?’
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Two Shoes · Apr 6, 2010

Well done Brendan for the, I believe, strong, informative and timely PR response to the Rudd plan.

The only criticism is the final paragraph. It is full of emotive language that could have been re-worked in such a way to maintain the clarity and strength of the message. The insulation quip was not needed and may be unhelpful.

Paul Bowles · Apr 6, 2010

Congratulations to APodC on a response which actually uses statistics and figures to back up an extremely important health care issue. As Tony mentions this potentially could be disastrous for us as a profession. Quick, immediate and evidenced based responses go a long way to justifying the importance of Podiatrists in the health care landscape.

Well done to all involved.

theaussie · Apr 8, 2010

wow, my business runs 90% off EPC's and Dr's referrals. Should I be worried?

RStone · Apr 8, 2010

Hi All

I'm struggling to understand this issue - it seems very impractical and unrealistic in so many areas or maybe I've just missed the whole point :(

Well done to B.Brown, APODC and all others involved - I believe we, as a profession, definitely need to make our involvement and impact in regards to diabetes well heard at this time. We have plenty of evidence to back up our potential positive impact.

I can't actually see anything but more work and responsibility for the GPs in managing this scheme and the paperwork that would need to be involved - again maybe I've just missed the entire point.

Can anyone make this mud clearer?

RStone

Craig Payne · Apr 26, 2010

Now we have the answer:

The Australian Medical Association has weighed in on the new Rudd health care proposals.
The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.
The Obstetricians felt they were all labouring under a misconception.
Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted.
Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Paediatricians said, "Oh, Grow up!"
The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it.
Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter...."
The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were ****** off at the whole idea.
The Anaesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the arseholes in Canberra.
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RStone · Apr 27, 2010

Thanks Craig

That certainly made the whole issue a lot clearer! :drinks

Cheers
Rachel

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