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Higher rebates needed to support epilepsy care: RACGP
Amid limited access to neurologists, red tape and long wait times, a college submission says GPs must be better supported.
A parliamentary inquiry is examining barriers to epilepsy diagnosis and treatment.
As patients face significant, and worsening, delays to epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, GPs must be better supported to provide timely and comprehensive care, says the RACGP.
In a new submission to a parliamentary investigation into epilepsy in Australia, the college has made 11 recommendations, including the call for a 40% boost to rebates for longer consultations.
It comes at a time when patients are facing limited access to neurologists, especially in rural areas, inconsistency in the availability of diagnostic services, fragmented coordination, and lack of integrated care.
The parliamentary inquiry is examining barriers to epilepsy diagnosis and treatment, including the impact of geographic locations, the availability of medical practitioners, costs, community awareness, and the adequacy of funding.
Alongside its recommendation for increased rebates, the RACGP also wants to see:
- support for GPs to have updated lists of approved equipment and where they can be purchased
- increased investment in patient transport schemes in rural and remote areas
- investment in culturally safe care and support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations
- simplified processes for patients and GPs to enhance access to care
- increased funding for epilepsy research relevant to primary care.
‘GPs are typically the first point of contact for most people with a suspected first seizure, or with unexplained collapse, loss of awareness or episodic behavioural change,’ the RACGP submission says.
‘GPs are often relied on by epilepsy patients to provide ongoing care and management, with limited specialist support due to long wait times.’
The submission acknowledges the challenges GPs face in managing epilepsy and that care is often complex, ‘involving long consultations, addressing multiple issues per visit and coordination with other services’.
‘Current Medicare settings often do not reflect the complexity and time required to care for people with epilepsy and suspected epilepsy,’ it said.
‘The current system places a significant administrative burden on patients and GPs, particularly in accessing transport assistance and specialist services.’
It goes on to say that current Medicare settings often do not reflect this complexity, or the time required to support and care for people with epilepsy.
Cost is also a significant barrier for patients, with
reports suggesting people with epilepsy on low incomes are ‘unable to attend medical appointments, afford anti-seizure medication and had to economise to buy food and pay bills’.
Epilepsy has a high burden of disease and affects around
0.6% of Australians, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people twice as likely to have epilepsy compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
Despite this, there is limited community awareness and understanding of epilepsy, as well as ongoing stigma associated with the condition.
‘This stigma affects help-seeking behaviours, particularly in culturally diverse communities, where epilepsy may be hidden due to fear of discrimination,’ said the submission.
In addition to increased Medicare rebates the submission also calls for raising community awareness and funding for research into epilepsy.
The inquiry is due to report back on 10 September.
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