Diabetes Advisory Group - Decision Without Consultation Or Negotiation, Australia

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 18 Jul 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said that the announcement of the Diabetes Advisory Group is another example of the Government announcing flawed policy before engaging in a proper process of consultation and negotiation with all the key players.

Dr Pesce said that failure to engage in genuine consultation with the AMA over its serious concerns with the proposed plan for care for people with diabetes is a snub to doctors and their patients with diabetes.

"The AMA was approached to be part of the Diabetes Advisory Group, but our participation was not possible when it was made clear that our inclusion was conditional on us changing our position," Dr Pesce said.

"This is all about decision without consultation or negotiation.

"The Government has a fixed position on the fundamental elements of its plan, including capped funding for patient care and patient enrolment. Patients will also have to surrender their rights to a Medicare rebate if they enrol in the scheme.

"The AMA believes that these changes are not the best possible outcome for patients, and our concerns are shared by other peak groups and some diabetes organisations. We chose not to be part of a group that would not be able to openly discuss the glaring shortcomings in a flawed policy.

"The AMA has a credible alternative plan, which is a more comprehensive patient-centred plan for people with complex and chronic disease that recognises the importance of enhancing care for all people with chronic conditions, including diabetes. The AMA has asked that its plan be trialled against the Government's model to establish which is better for patients, but this has been refused.

"The Government has followed the same path as it did with the implementation of the mining tax - there was no specific consultation with the profession before the Government announced its plans.

"We note that the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has agreed to be part of the Advisory Group despite its stated opposition to the Government's plan.

"The AMA believes that doctors and their patients will support our principled decision to stay outside a Group whose terms of reference will not allow proper consultation and negotiation to create a better plan to care for people with diabetes.

"The AMA will continue to work in other ways to achieve better use of what is otherwise welcome funding for diabetes care," Dr Pesce said.

Source:
Australian Medical Association

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