1. Working as a team rather than in isolation is a great morale booster.
2. Economies of scale and more profitability has been clearly shown in AMA research.
3. After hours situation much improved
4. Provision of an extended hours service seven days a week for the convenience of patients.
5. Ability to fully computerise with electronic downloading of pathology and electronic medical records, saving an enormous amount of staff and doctor time. easy access to patient population information for preventitive medical intervention.
6. Ability to employ nursing practioners to do immunisations, dressings, set up and sterilising of instruments, purchase of medical supplies, etc.
7. Ability to employ a practice manager to handle business and human resource matters.
8. Opportunities for group meetinmgs and preventative medicine classes as well as space for paramedical people, such as psychologists, dieticians, etc
9. Ability to become a GP training practice
10. Allows for growth of the practice
11. Inspires confidence in applying for accreditation (amalgamting practices availing of government incentives will be required to sign up for accreditation).
12. Amalgamtion improves professional situation and relationships and addresses most of the more tedious problems facing general practice in today's climate.

How to go about it

1. Form a group of like minded GPs who respect each other.
2. Once an enthusiastic group has been developed, be prepared to kick the can to pay for comsultation with other professionals such as architects, practice management consultant, business consultants/accountants,legal,IT/IM expertise, and change management expertise.

• An amalgamation is a legal combining of seperate practice ownership and locations;
• Amalgamtion will only be supported for practices in close proximity, ie amalgamation should not reduce patient access;
• Payments will be made to amlgamting practices that have five or fewer full-time equivalent GPs, with a resulting practice of at least two full-time equivalent GPs;
• Amalgamted practices must apply for accreditation within 9 months of a Stage 2 payment.

Payments

Stage 1