Medical Info kit launched

A new ACCC Info kit for the medical profession was launched in Wagga Wagga today by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel.

"The ACCC Info kit for the medical profession provides doctors with straight-forward guidance on the competition and fair trading laws, helping them to comply with the Act", he said.

The kit is a practical guide developed specifically for doctors and practice managers that explains their rights and obligations under the Trade Practices Act 1974*.

The Info kit was developed in consultation with the ACCC's Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC)** as a ready reference tool for doctors about the application of the Act to a number of key areas including medical rosters, fee setting and collective negotiations.

"The ACCC Info kit for the medical profession explains what the Trade Practices Act means for doctors, recognising that most doctors want to do the right thing. The kit highlights the key things doctors need to know about how the Act affects their practice, and how it can assist them," HSAC Chairman, Mr Tim Fischer, said today.

The ACCC Info kit for the medical profession is a free publication, and is available by calling the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502, through ACCC regional offices.

Background

* Development of the ACCC Info kit for the medical profession followed the Review of the Impact of Part IV of the Trade Practices Act 1974 on the recruitment and retention of medical practitioners in rural and regional Australia (the Wilkinson Review). The review found that while the Act was not a hindrance, there was a degree of uncertainty within the profession about the application of the Act to doctors.

** The Health Services Advisory Committee was established to act as a medium of consultation between the ACCC, doctors, other relevant health professionals and health consumers to achieve a better understanding of, and compliance with, the Trade Practices Act 1974.

Health Services Advisory Committee members

Independent chair - Mr Tim Fischer
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine - Professor Ian Wronski
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission - Mr John Martin
Australian Consumers’ Association - Mr Chris Field
Australian Divisions of General Practice - Dr Robert Walters
Australian Medical Association - Professor Kerryn Phelps
National Rural Health Alliance - Ms Lesley Fitzpatrick
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners - Dr David Thompson
Rural Doctors Association of Australia - Dr Ken Mackey
Trade practices solicitor and barrister- Mr Alan Limbury