Cancer and other serious illnesses could go undiagnosed if specialists take on GP tasks, RACGP says

Australian peak GP body says overall picture' of patients' health will be lost if Medicare changes split care across multiple providers

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Australia's peak GP group is concerned serious conditions such as cancer could be missed if general practice is deprioritised under looming changes to Medicare funding, saying parts of their roles should not be transferred to other health professionals.

As allied health groups suggest nurses, physiotherapists or pharmacists could perform some work currently done by GPs, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said it was nervous" about patients visiting separate specialists without being monitored by a coordinating doctor.

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