A new ACCC Info kit for the medical profession has today been made available to general practitioners nationally at the Australian Divisions of General Practice Network Forum 2004 in Adelaide.
The national launch of the ACCC Info kit took place at the ADGP's annual conference in Adelaide and coincided with the presentation by ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, of the ADGP's annual achievement awards which recognise excellence and innovation and encourage on-going improvements in the delivery of primary health care services to the Australian community.
"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 and understand their rights under the Trade Practices Act", Mr Samuel 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. The kit highlights the key things doctors need to know about how the Act affects their practice, and how it can assist them.
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 or via the ACCC website.
ACCC info kit for the medical profession (link removed as item has been retired)
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 Divisions of General Practice - Dr Robert Walters Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine - Professor Ian Wronski Australian Competition & Consumer Commission - Mr John Martin Australian Consumers’ Association - Mr Chris Field 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
