Australian MBS and PBS Update

Legislation for nurses and midwives to be given access to the Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time has been introduced to the House of Representatives by Health Minister Nicola Roxon.

The Health Legislation Amendment (Midwives and Nurse Practitioners) Bill 2009 will mean that patients who receive prescriptions from nurses will pay the PBS price rather than the private prescription price. It would not become effective until November 2010, Ms Roxon said.

“The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will be consulted about the range of medicines nurses and midwives will be able to prescribe and the circumstances under which medicines can be prescribed. Advice will also be sought from clinical experts and health professionals practising in the relevant clinical fields,” a statement from the minister said.

As debate on the bill continues, the Pharmaceutical Society (PSA) has suggested we also begin to consider prescribing by pharmacists to help facilitate a more efficient health system.

As GP’s retire, we rethink our Healthcare model

Only a few years ago various groups derided the use of nurse practitioners, hospitalists and other ‘non-traditional’ healthcare roles. Whether this was out of genuine concern for patient care or mere professional self-preservation is now irrelevant.

Launceston hospital is being forced to look after around 5000 patients as their GP’s will soon retire. It is one story that bodes poorly for our future.

The good news is that alternatives, that have always made sense from a common sense management perspective, are being considered. For example, The AMA has asked the federal government to do more to support the training of nurses for chronic disease management as GP’s find themselves overwhelmed by the demand these patients create. Lets hope they don’t limit it to that.

Hospitalists will soon be trialled in NSW hospitals. The realization that specialist silo’s can be bad for patient care has forced this issue. It remains to be seen how this new role in managed with the usual territorial issues already arising (see comments below article). Perhaps the doctors will remember to put the patients first!!