The 2022 Flu Season data to 24 May (Influenza report) indicates that since 1 March approximately 6.4 M flu doses have been administered (reported to AIR).
Approximately 4.3 M (67%) have been administered by GP
The data is available here.
ATAGI have expanded recommendations on winter COVID-19 booster doses to include people aged 16-64 years who have complex, chronic or severe conditions that are considered to increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Today’s announcement from the Health Minister Senator Katy Gallagher estimates that this will include an additional 1.5 M Australians
The 25 May provider bulletin is here
The additional groups are included in the attachment table here
The ATAGI Q&A regarding the revised winter dose is here
As the outcomes of the federal election become clearer it is looking increasingly likely that the Australian Labor Party will have a majority in the House of Representatives, but they will need to have the support of the Greens and independents in the Senate.
While welcoming the announcement of additional funding under the Strengthening Medicare GP Grants program, and additional funding under the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce the AGPA Chair Dr John Deery commented on 14 May that “the increased funding for Medicare and direct grants to General Practices proposed by the ALP, while welcome, do not go far enough to reverse a decade of neglect“. Media release 14 May is here
On Monday 23 May, The Department of Health held a webinar on Monkeypox
Professor Michael Kidd AM, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health
Professor Deborah Williamson, Director, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
Dr James McMahon, Vice President, ASHM (Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine)
A recording of the webinar is available at: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/webinars/monkeypox-update-for-primary-care-23-may-2022.
On Monday 23 May the Queensland Government announced that until 30 June 2022, it is offering free flu vaccinations for anyone not already eligible for free vaccination under the National Immunisation Program. This includes anyone aged 5 to 64 years.
This announcement initially caught GP groups by surprise and was met with concern due to the lack of prior consultation and the impact on Practices who had already purchased supplied of vaccine.
Under the Free flu vaccine for all Queenslanders initiative, the Queensland Government will reimburse practices for privately purchased influenza vaccine at a cost of $21.90 per dose. This will apply until 30 June 2022. Practices are not required to bulk bill to receive the reimbursement.
AGPA understands that the mechanism for claiming reimbursement is currently being determined. The cash flow implications for Practices will be an important consideration.
MEDIA RELEASE
14 May 2022
ALP Medicare funding increase not enough
The Australian GP Alliance (AGPA) says the increased funding for Medicare and direct grants to General Practices proposed by the ALP, while welcome, do not go far enough to reverse a decade of neglect.
The ALP has proposed an extra $250 million a year to be spent in accordance with recommendations from a Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and a Strengthening Medicare GP Grants program to invest $220M in General Practices.
“It is especially pleasing to see the recognition of the importance of General Practices as a key part of the primary healthcare system,” said AGPA Chair, Dr John Deery.
“The primary healthcare system has three equally critical parts – sufficient numbers of well-trained GPs and allied health professionals, viable medical practices to provide infrastructure and compliance with accreditation standards and timely and affordable access for patients.
“Medicare funding has been effectively denuded, leading to less viable practices and falling GP recruitment and retention. All of this has led to increased patient costs and reduced timely patient accessibility.
“The crisis that has developed in primary healthcare is directly attributable to underfunding of Medicare by both major parties over many years”, Dr Deery said.
“The Strengthening Medicare Taskforce is a great idea, but the proposed composition needs to be expanded to include organisations that genuinely represent the interests of the General Practice sector such as AGPA.
“Having recognised the importance of the Practices in the primary healthcare equation it is essential that they are independently represented in the Taskforce”, said Dr Deery.
“Primary Health Care is an investment in the nation. One dollar invested saves ten dollars in hospital costs”.
For further comment please contact:
Dr John Deery – 0420 529 337 or Dr Mukesh Haikerwal – 0407 599 332
AGPA Secretariat
Phone: 02 6290 1505
Email: admin@australiangpalliance.org.au
MEDIA RELEASE
12 May 2022
Major parties devalue the health of Australians
The major parties have allowed Medicare to decay and with it the right of all Australians to high quality primary healthcare.
Australians have seen the value of Medicare rebates, designed to help meet their medical costs, vaporise in the face of rising medical costs as multiple governments over multiple years have neglected to fund the rebates adequately.
“Australians value their health, but apparently Governments do not”, said Dr John Deery, Chair of the Australian GP Alliance.
“Medical inflation since 2010 has risen by approximately 5% per year. Medicare rebates have increased by approximately 0.5% per year over the same period”.
“Health is an investment in the nation. It employs many people and provides healthcare and wellness to keep people engaged gainfully and successfully, allowing them fully participate in life without fear for their health. Health is not a sinkhole for cash, but a wise investment.”
“The crisis that is developing in primary healthcare is directly attributable to underfunding of Medicare by both major parties over many years”, Dr Deery said.
“The announcement by both Labor and the LNP that they will reduce the cost of prescription medicines is great. However, there is little point in reducing the cost of medicines if appropriate diagnosis and ongoing support from your GP is not available – either because the rebates are inadequate, or because of the shortage of GPs.
“Without adequate funding of Medicare rebates, high quality primary healthcare will not be available to many Australians. This will delay diagnosis and treatment, transferring them into the hospital system at far higher cost, and with much poorer health outcomes”, he said.
For further comment please contact:
Dr John Deery – 0420 529 337 or Dr Jared Dart – 0403 274 209
Dr John Deery showing the impact of patient Medicare rebates reduction in his Canberra clinic.