The head of Australia's most powerful doctors' group wants to reshape general practice in a bid to take pressure off public hospitals.
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Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone will on Wednesday deliver his first major speech at the National Press Club, having been elected to the position in May.
Dr Bartone is expected to outline plans for general practice to take some of the load off various parts of the nation's over-burdened health system, including outpatient clinics.
Wanting to improve the experience for patients, the AMA boss has highlighted widespread delays in getting to see specialists.
"It's not uncommon to hear of patients waiting many, many months and sometimes even years to get into an outpatients' clinic," he told the ABC on Sunday night, ahead of his keynote address.
Dr Bartone anticipates his proposal to carry "significant" short-term costs but expects savings to flow down the line.
"It still has to be significantly put through the wringer but a price tag will come out in the mix in the course of time," he said.
Dr Bartone is also expected to be pressed about the government's controversial digital health records system.
The Human Rights Commissioner this week warned the maligned My Health Record system could be a "honey-pot" for criminals.
However Dr Bartone says doctors have been assured the health data is being offered the best level of possible protection, arguing if the system was too "CIA fool-proof" then it would defeat its utility.
My Health Record has been operating for six years, with six million Australians participating.
People have a three-month window from July 16 to October 15 to opt out before a record is created.
Liberal backbencher Tim Wilson is among tens of thousands of people to withdraw from the system, while Labor said the deadline to opt out should be extended.
Australian Associated Press
