Keywords
Citation
(2003), "Australia. Electronic records", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 16 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2003.06216fab.013
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Australia. Electronic records
Australia
Electronic records
Keywords: Australian Government, Electronic patient records
The Australian Government has given $30 million ($6800 each) from within the existing Practice Incentive Program (PIP) to assist accredited GPs to develop or upgrade their electronic patient records and enable them to spend more time with their patients.
Senator Patterson, the Minister for Health and Ageing, said the money for the GPs was well spent because it would streamline electronic record keeping and help doctors to spend more time with their patients instead of being caught up with paperwork, and rejected claims by the opposition that the money was a handout. The money was already allocated in last year's Budget to the doctors for PIP payments, and was targeted to accredited practices, which had met all the standards to be eligible for PIP payments, and gave financial encouragement to doctors to deliver quality health outcomes for patients.
The allocation was welcomed by the GP Computing Group, whose chairman, Dr Ron Tomlins, said the payment would help doctors reduce red tape by increasing the use of electronic patient records.
Increased funding for respite services for carers
Thousands of carers across Australia will receive more respite services following a $2.2 million funding boost. Federal Minister for Ageing Kevin Andrews has already announced $32.9 million for Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres to offer more respite services, particularly in rural and remote areas. The funding, which comes from a total of $80 million allocated in the Aged Care Budget to provide more support for carers, will also establish a national counselling service for carers.