Prominent GPs have argued fairer remuneration is required to improve patient care at aged care facilities.
Associate Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care (REC–QC), told the commission while the system is in need of reform, the College would not be in favour of a ‘pay for performance or strict outcome-based pay’.
‘[Such a system] distorts clinical decision-making and leads to a number of unintended consequences,’ he said.
‘The College is supportive of schemes that encourage quality improvement. So that’s a subtle difference from outcomes-based pay.
‘It’s about improving from where the situation is now and becoming a learning organisation to move on and get better, rather than reaching some threshold to achieve some payment.’
Other topics covered:
- GPs should attend aged care facilities as part of their training
- The challenges GPs face caring for RACF residents when specialist input is required
- Whether nurse practitioners should be involved in comprehensive health assessments
- The lack of RACFs using My Health Record and other digital communication
- The introduction of telehealth item numbers for aged care residents
- Improving facilities at RACFs to aid the work of GPs and other health practitioners
Aged Care Royal Commission