Dr. Tony Bartone, the incumbent AMA President told that the local community GPs should be involved in the future disaster and emergency coordination. This would allow more efficient planning of providing primary healthcare and would prepare the service in times of bushfires, floods, and storms.
The AMA President highlighted that disaster planning such as the recent bushfire in the country is within the domain of State and Territory Governments while on the other hand, general practice is covered by the Federal Government.
The divide to the domain of federal and state should be removed because it hinders the appropriate and immediate provision of primary health care for victims of a disaster.
Dr. Bartone commended the measures taken by the state and territory governments in responding to the effects of bushfire. However, he admitted that the task could be done easier.
Most of the improvement in delivering such tasks could dwell mostly on mobilisation and coordination of local GPs to provide healthcare at the exact moment it is needed especially during traumatic events. Simple medical conditions could be dealt with properly by highly skilled GPs efficiently.
Unfortunately, in the recent response mobilisations, bureaucracy affected much of the provision itself, hindering the GPs.
It should be noted that even the GPs and their staff are affected by the bushfire. This means that they are also in need of support for recovery.
Dr. Bartone pointed out the importance of having a comprehensive emergency response plan in securing the disposition of GPs to operate under the direction of local disaster command. The said local disaster command runs through the resources during distress time.
Introducing Medicare item number measures is considered by the AMA President as the best way of the Federal government to ensure that the GPs and the affected patients are well supported. The said program would things such as temporary clinics to evacuation centres especially during times of disaster.
Dr. Bartone is firm in asserting that the suggestion will be delivered to Health Minister Greg Hunt for his consideration.
He added that the said measure would utilize the proper provision of services in times of disasters and emergencies where access to proper care is almost impossible.
The recent events have shown how important the integration of general practice into both national and local planning should be done.
