Doctors are sceptical about a GP service offering fully bulk billed home visits around Hobart, saying it is not a good use of health dollars.
The Call the Doctor service will begin operating next week and cover areas from Bridgewater to Blackmans Bay.
Dr John Davis, who will be in competition with the new service, said providing patients with immediate access to a doctor or a nurse over the phone was a better way of delivering care than home visits on demand.
“No-one is deprived of care, but people are directed to the best place for their care depending on what’s wrong with them and where they live in Tasmania,” he said.
Dr Davis who runs an after hours clinic said each house call would attract a Medicare rebate of between $130 and $150.
The Australian Medical Association, Dr Tim Greenaway, is concerned it is not a good use of health dollars.
“The care that is delivered to that patient is fragmented, it is not as efficient,” he said.
“Costs ultimately go up due to unnecessary investigations.”
But health analyst Martyn Goddard believed the service would increase competition among GPs and be good for consumers.
“It’s going to be 100 per cent bulk billed,” he said.
“The GPs aren’t going to like it because this is going to be competition, Tasmania has some of the lowest bulk billing rates in the country.
“It’s a lot cheaper than sending people to emergency where it’s going to cost a lot more,” he said.
The AMA argues there is no evidence similar services interstate have reduced presentations at emergency departments.
The Call the Doctor Service has declined to comment.