Nearly two thirds of doctor home visits made by 'under-qualified' and trainee GPs, report finds
Home GP services are being scrutinised for allegedly using "unqualified" doctors who are misdiagnosing patients in some cases.
The Daily Telegraph reports that 63 per cent of after-hours services are done by non-vocationally registered GPs and trainees, according to unpublished Medicare data.
In one horror case, a woman claims a doctor failed to diagnose her heart attack.
A review by the independent Medical Benefits Schedule taskforce found it was often “less qualified technicians” making the after-hours house calls.
“After-hours services are important, but we must ensure that patients get the right tests or treatment first time, every time and are not subjected to unnecessary and inappropriate care,” said review head Professor Bruce Robinson.
News Corp reports that a loophole in the system is also allowing junior doctors to charge $130 for non-urgent visits, instead of $74.
The loophole is said to be costing taxpayers $250 million a year.
