The AMA wants practice-based MBS items to directly fund the work being done by GP practice nurses, arguing the current system fails to pay for the care that keeps patients out of hospital.

In its new position statement, it says Medicare should create nurse care items covering chronic disease management, triage, vaccination and wound care.

It says all these services would continue to be provided under GP oversight. As such, the rebate would go to the practice, not the individual nurse.

“Practice nurses should be supported to work to their full scope within a framework of GP oversight,” the statement says.