GP fee plan 'to hurt patient relationship'

THE decision whether to charge non-concessional patients the $5 co-payment would be an ethical problem for most doctors, a GP organisation says.

DOCTORS are worried their relationship with patients could flatline if they are forced to pass on the optional $5 fee announced by the federal government.

THE government ditched its proposed $7 GP co-payment this week, and its new fee will be charged at the discretion of doctors to make up for a reduction in the rebate they receive from Medicare.