A LEADING rural doctors group has warned work-based health checks will only work if regional health systems can provide follow-up treatment.
The response follows the launch of a $600 million health fund by the State Government to promote free work based health checks in the fight against obesity and chronic conditions such as diabetes.
The WorkHealth program claimed to be a world first, will be directed by the Victorian health department and WorkSafe, and financed by surplus Worksafe funds.
The program will include $60 million aimed at regional centres and small to medium businesses over four years, targeting free on site health screening for poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol misuse, excess weight, high blood pressure and cholesterol.
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia has applauded the move toward more preventative health programs but insists its effectiveness could be undermined if access to further stages of health care are impeded by GP shortages or long waiting times.
RDAA president Dr Peter Rischbieth said any work-based screening program had to be regular and had to be linked into an efficient referral system to higher levels of medical care.
‘‘You could for instance have a person who is tested with high blood sugar levels for the first time and that person should seek further consultation within a week through a system of referral,’’ he said.
But Dr Rischbieth said evidence had shown poor or delayed access in rural and regional areas had led to higher incidences of common health problems like coronary disease and strokes because of poor follow ups to the first signs of ill health.
He said the efficient progress to higher levels of care from first health alerts, and good communication, were critical parts of the health system.
‘‘The problem is too many people fall through the cracks by being unable to move to the next level of attention,’’ he said.
Dr Rischbieth agreed with the reports that healthy employees led to more profitable business and said as a result the success of the program was even more vital in regional areas where data showed higher rates of obesity, alcohol and cigarette use, as well as worse health outcomes.
The State Government launched the program after releasing alarming DHS predictions that by 2025 more than three quarters of Victorians would be overweight or obese, almost doubling the 2.5 million who are currently assessed.
Premier John Brumby said the preventative strategy would free up $60 million in health costs as well as decrease the number of workers at risk by 10 per cent.
The result he argued would bring cuts to absenteeism and large-scale boosts to productivity, while estimated reductions in workplace injuries and disease of five per cent would also help in reducing WorkSafe premiums.