The Hunter General Practitioners Association says it is hoping the federal government is serious about consulting with doctors on the future of its health reforms.
The organisation is in Canberra today to address the public hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Health.
It is discussing the sustainability of Medicare, and the government’s plans to reduce the standard consultations rebate by $5.
The proposal to cut $20 from the rebate for shorter visits was dumped last month.
Association vice-chairwoman Fiona Van Leeuwen said the changes are not a good move.
“I think consultation is the answer, and I guess we here locally really aim to work diligently towards good access for our community to quality GP care,” she said.
“We really want to build, and be apart of building, the sustainable health system that we can all rely on.
“Certainly in the Hunter we’ve been leaders in innovation for a long time.”
Dr Van Leeuwen said she cannot see how the health reforms are going to improve the system.
“They will tend to drive patients away, and also then make us responsible for trying to run the practices in a sensible way,” she said.
“That’s very difficult to do when the rebates have been frozen for a really long time.
“We stand behind our community and we wish to support you, and that’s why we’re going (to Canberra).”