Allied Health Professions Australia welcomes the release of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce Report and supports the commitment of the Albanese Government to reform the primary care system, to which allied health is key.

“We encourage reforms that strengthen multidisciplinary team care and support funding mechanisms that allow allied health professionals to work to their full scope. However we caution that reform without an implementation roadmap and a commitment to engaging with the allied health sector will ultimately result in more of the same,” said Antony Nicholas, AHPA Chair and Taskforce member.

Nicholas highlighted that Recognising the value of multidisciplinary primary care is long overdue.

AHPA is particularly concerned with the recommendation to increase investment in the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP).

“There is no evidence that the employment of allied health professionals under the WIP has improved access to multidisciplinary care,” said Bronwyn Morris-Donovan, AHPA CEO.

“The allied health sector has opposed the WIP since its inception – it undermines the entire employment model of private allied health. The Government is taking a general practice incentive payment and calling it a win for multidisciplinary team care.”

There are thousands of allied health professionals working in the community in small private practices.

AHPA believes it is vital that allied health professionals are recognised for their work alongside the medical and nursing communities and for their potential to help shape and implement the healthcare system of the future.

Related: Opinion: Alarming allied health problems in Australia need urgent transformation

Supporting allied health professionals and making allied health services accessible will ensure that Australia has an integrated, comprehensive healthcare system that delivers world-class care.

“As it stands, the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce digital recommendations offer no reassurance that allied health will be prioritised,” added Morris-Donovan.

“There is no consistent collection and integration of allied health workforce data. This means the Government cannot confirm vital information about allied health professionals and their roles, resulting in fragmented, inconsistent approaches to workforce and service planning,” said Nicholas.

“The impact of this is poor access to essential allied health services, especially for people in rural and remote areas and people with chronic conditions.”

Nicholas emphasises that changes in funding and infrastructure to Australia’s health systems that allow for consumer-centred primary care and equity of access to all Australians need to happen now.

“It is a not a win for consumers or allied health. It shows there is still no real understanding of how to build a system that genuinely puts consumers at the centre,” added Morris-Donovan.