The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging against the establishment of duplicate disability health services and instead advocating for the creation of multi-disciplinary care teams with GPs to enhance the well-being of individuals living with cognitive disability. The RACGP submitted its recommendations to the government’s response to the Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with a disability, emphasizing the need to allocate limited resources to fund existing health services.
While supporting the government’s recommendations in general, the RACGP expressed concern that the proposal to establish specialist services fails to acknowledge the crucial role of GPs. According to RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, GPs play a central role in disability care, supporting patients from the time of diagnosis and working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, family members, and caregivers. Moreover, GPs possess comprehensive knowledge of their patients’ needs and can optimize NDIS planning to minimize duplication and tailor specific supports.
Dr Higgins stressed that current Medicare rebates do not adequately cover the costs associated with delivering comprehensive care to individuals with disabilities. GPs often find themselves out-of-pocket for completing NDIS paperwork, especially in cases where the patient is not present. Instead of investing in new services for individuals with cognitive disabilities, Dr Higgins suggested that funding be directed towards multi-disciplinary care teams involving GPs. This approach would avoid unnecessary duplication, fragmentation of care, and excessive expenses, ultimately benefiting patients’ overall health outcomes.
In its submission to the government, the RACGP also supported recommendations to enhance training in cognitive disability healthcare. The College proposed increasing patients’ Medicare rebates to reflect the actual costs incurred by practitioners in providing comprehensive care to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the RACGP suggested expanding funding to include telehealth consultations, particularly for patients facing travel difficulties and those residing in rural and remote areas. The key role played by GPs in disability support should be emphasized in future reforms, and health navigators must be implemented with consideration for individuals in rural and remote areas, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The RACGP’s recommendations stem from the understanding that substantial improvements are required to enhance the health and well-being of people with disability. By ensuring comprehensive care through well-funded, GP-coordinated teams, individuals with cognitive disabilities can experience an improved quality of life while optimizing the use of limited resources. The RACGP’s submission emphasizes the importance of recognizing and harnessing the expertise of GPs in disability care, ultimately working towards a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system for all.
