Let GPs provide hospital-in-the-home care, says college
Chemotherapy and post-acute cardiac care can be safely delivered at home, freeing up hospital beds
Private health insurance should pay for GPs to treat cancer patients, dress wounds or provide post-cardiac care in patients’ homes, says the RACGP.
The Federal Government is attempting to shore up the health insurance industry, which critics say is in a death spiral resulting from increasing hospital costs and a diminishing number of policy holders.
This week, Minister for Health Greg Hunt revealed plans to “revolutionise” hospital-in-the-home arrangements by allowing health funds to cover specialist care — such as mental health and orthopaedics — beyond the hospital walls.
But RACGP president Dr Harry Nespolon wants the government to examine the option of using GPs to provide services.
