GPs ready to quit over changes

More than 100 doctors were considering quitting general practicebecause of changes that would boost the roles of nurses and alliedprofessionals, a survey has shown.

The national survey of 359 general practitioners found 39 per centof those polled were considering early retirement because of''issues currently in the reform spotlight''.

Forty per cent were severely stressed by the plans, while almostthree-quarters said the Federal Government's 31 Super Clinics wouldnot deliver greater access to GPs or after-hours services.

The survey was conducted by the Medical Observer magazine.

Central to the Federal Government's program is a nationalprimary-care strategy, which would place more emphasis on nursesand allied health professionals.

The Super Clinics would provide a one-stop shop for health-careneeds. But more than one-third of GPs polled believed the clinicswould lower the quality of patient care.

Australian General Practice Network chairman Tony Hobbs said thesurvey represented less than 2 per cent of GPs. AAP