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Super clinic concern

by Jared Reed  

The government must not undermine the significant financial capital built up by self-employed GPs by pursuing the superclinics model for primary care, says a family doctor leading a gathering of GPs concerned about reform.  

Led by Sydney GP Dr Adrian Sheen, around 100 GPs from across NSW will meet in Penrith next week to discuss reform proposals currently under consideration by the government.  

Dr Sheen says most GPs are not aware as to the extent of potential reform and that patients “would expect us to be on top of what is being proposed so we can have a feeling about whether these are actually going to assist people in their care.”  

In its push for superclinics, the government is creating an alternative system which will create a divide between doctors and patients, marking the end for the local GP, who also stands to lose financially, Dr Sheen says.  

“We can’t just have these reforms just silently imposed on our patients. The whole thrust has to be that nothing must come between the doctors and their patients...it’s about destroying the human element in care, about removing the important part of the social structure of patients.  

“We already have the capital. People have private capital running primary care [and] take the business risk of running a practice,” he tells 6minutes.  

Dr Sheen says the government must redirect policy towards the “excellent” existing general practices operating throughout Australia.


3 November 2009
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Latest Comments

  • Superclinics only works when key self employed GP’s have skin in the game only then will you get socially responsible and sustainable provider and community engagement. Why rent a house when you can own one? More importantly why take care and invest long term in a rented property - is this not throwing good money after bad its counter intuitive.

    David Dahm CEO BA(Acc.) FCPA,FTIA, FFin,FAAPM,FGLG, AGPAL Surveyor

    Advisers to the 2008 BRW Fast 100 Medical Practice

    Health & Life Pty Ltd - National

    Accountants and Practice Management Consultants

    Posted by David Dahm 3/11/2009 2:12:33 PM

  • I already work in a 'Super Clinic' although we like to call it a 'Mega Clinic' to distinguish it from the government funded ones. We have 11 GPS, four part time psychologists, two mental health nurses, two practice nurses but would love more, a nurse who organizes the GP management plans and a nurse who visits the elderly to do the health assessments and arrange services if they need them, visiting specialists ENT, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Cardiologist an Orthopedic Specialist in the future, a visiting midwife from the Antenatal Clinic at the nearby public hospital and visiting Audiologists. Next door there is a Podiatrist, Ophthalmology Centre, Pathology, Radiology and a Dentist. I am sure our practice which is owned by two GPs is not unique there are many Mega Practices out there but both State and Federal Governments seem to be unaware that they already exist and do a good job!

    Posted by Jayne Ingham GP. 3/11/2009 3:31:29 PM

  • The government is sponsoring setting up large practices which will have very negative impact on smaller practices. I am aware of practices which crashed as a result of setting up a superclinic in the surrounding area.

    I find this direction is damaging to smaller enterprise practitioners and will not serve patients in any betterway. I expect the workers and doctors in superclinics to be employees. There will be loss of motivation and loss of personal touch with patients.

    Posted by Dr.Maher Luka Coburg Family Medical Centre 3/11/2009 7:42:12 PM

  • Dr Sheen appears to be emerging as an exciting and dynamic leader. He is talkiing a lot of common sense and I wouldn't be surprised if a new organisation appears out of this Penrith meeting.

    Dr James Moxham

    Posted by James Moxham 4/11/2009 11:23:47 AM

  • Dear Adrian,

    I represent Leading Healthcare Pty Limited.

    Leading was established in May 2008 and was founded by former members of Symbion Health's Medical Centres division. With this collective experience on board, Leading specialises in the management, design, and development of large, multi-purpose Medical Centres (designed specifically with the GP in mind) and located primarily in Regional Locations.

    These Centres in turn provide tailored practice management services to GPs and other Medical Practitioners.

    I note with interest your comments in relation to the government’s agenda on Superclinics and its possible exclusion of the local GPs involvement and interest. We too have found it rather difficult to pass on our opinions to the Fed Govt. regarding a more “collective approach” to the investment of this infrastructure, and I am keen to hear further (on this topic) from other GPs from related areas.

    As such, I am very keen to attend your meeting scheduled for next week in Penrith to hear these collective opinions and aid some way in the debate on what potential strategies there are for a “collective” solution. We have many examples (across the country) of such a strategy being successful.

    If this is possible, it would be kindly appreciated.

    Kind regards,

    Adam Sevdalis, GM, Leading Healthcare Pty Limited adam.sevdalis@leadinghealthcare.com.au

    Posted by Adam Sevdalis 4/11/2009 11:33:26 AM

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