AMA accuses nurse practitioner group of GP-role grab
Giving them access to more Medicare items could spark a spending blowout, it says
The AMA warns that nurse practitioners could end up replacing and competing with GPs if they are given access to more primary care MBS items and more freedom to work independently of doctors.
The organisation’s fears come in response to the MBS Review Taskforce Nurse Practitioner Reference Group’s recommendations published in February.
Of key concern are the recommendations that call for:
The AMA claims most of the recommendations “seek to position nurse practitioners as an alternative provider to GPs” rather than as part of an integrated primary healthcare team. This will fragment care and reduce quality and safety, it says.
