Govt suspends BERT’s ‘nudge’ letters to GPs

Officials accept that tackling the pandemic threat may be higher priority for doctors at this time
Bert

BERT’s day-to-day activities in controlling and moulding GP behaviour via its notorious ‘nudge’ letters have been suspended while the Department of Health and GPs deal with the coronavirus.

Australian Doctor has been told all Medicare compliance letter campaigns, which were developed by the health department’s so-called Behavioural Economics and Research Team (BERT), are on hold indefinitely in recognition of the rapidly escalating COVID-19 situation.