‘Long overdue’: states sign off on $25b hospital deal
An eleventh-hour agreement means states and territories will receive extra funding for public hospitals but health experts are calling for more reforms.
healthcare policy
NDIS autism changes delayed as funding deal struck
Premiers and ministers have agreed to delay a program to get children with autism and developmental delay off the NDIS in a national cabinet meeting.
No concern over delay to kids’ autism program, says PM
Anthony Albanese insists a delay to an early intervention program for children with autism is about making sure the government gets it right.
The chatbot will see you now: why AI is tackling health
After being swamped with medical questions, one AI firm is trialling a dedicated health service. Experts say more are coming and their prognosis is unclear.
Puberty blocker bans slammed as harmful to trans kids
Blanket bans on puberty blockers are the biggest risk to trans children globally, an advocate says, after a second Australian jurisdiction outlawed the drugs.
Belt tightening in order as federal payments balloon
More than $12 billion in program cost blowouts demand tighter spending in other parts of the federal budget, the treasurer is warning Australians.
Scramble to play down fears of aged care worker crisis
Department officials have defended not telling the aged care minister about potentially massive worker shortages because their model couldn't be verified.
Guidelines developed for Australia’s biggest killer
Researchers have identified four key issues faced by people experiencing dementia at home or in aged care to evaluate whether quality care is being delivered.
Health body leading by example with Indigenous voice
A First Nations public health voice will put Indigenous perspectives "front and centre" two years after the failure of a national voice to parliament.
Trump links autism to Tylenol, claim disputed by medics
US President Donald Trump says there is a link between the use of pain medication Tylenol and autism during pregnancy, a claim doctors dispute.
Aged care operator’s shares dive on funding expectation
Regis Healthcare shares have plunged after the aged care operator announced the government's funding package won't meet staffing cost increases.
Life-saving tech for kids absent at under-fire hospital
An inquiry has found a purportedly world-class hospital lacks essential technology, duplicates training and operates in isolation from a state health network.
‘Good day for patients’: cheaper medicines on the way
Australians are being reassured cost-of-living relief is still on the federal government's agenda as it prepares to legislate changes to make medicine cheaper.
Time to see a doctor? Watches to track sleep disorder
Smartwatches can detect signs of a common and potentially serious sleep disorder with the medical regulator approving software that analyses bedtime breathing.
Decolonising health to provide better care for patients
A decolonised, holistic approach to health, led by First Nations people will mean a "safer journey" for Indigenous people accessing care, researchers say.
Why rural women still face barriers to abortion access
Abortion access will improve under changes allowing nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs but other barriers remain for women in rural and regional areas.
Trump order demands US medicine industry cuts prices
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order setting a 30-day deadline for drug makers to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the United States.
Serious flaws at hospital where kids died after waiting
A scathing report accuses the operator of a controversial hospital where two children died of inaction and failing to meet healthcare standards.
Dose of cultural medicine to ‘decolonise healthcare’
Most Indigenous people would like to access cultural medicine, but many have difficulty doing so, with the practices largely left out of medical policy.
Multibillion-dollar benefit of reproductive leave
Giving workers one day of leave a month to care for reproductive needs would help reduce the $21.3 billion cost of absent employees, a report has found.
Dental body sinks teeth into private health policies
Australia's peak dental body is calling for greater transparency around private health insurance to provide more clarity and protection for policy holders.
Indigenous-led centre launched, continuing Mabo legacy
Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities leverage their native title rights for economic growth will be the focus of a new centre.
Medicare the winner as parties match funding pledges
Healthcare funding is to receive a certain boost with both major parties pledging to spend billions of dollars as they prepare for the federal election.
Labor ‘waited too long’ to announce big election pledge
With a federal election looming, an expert warns it will take more than a rate cut and a health promise to turn the political tides in Labor's favour.
A country practice luring health workers to the bush
Healthcare workers getting a taste of life in the country are staying in the bush, as medical groups push for rural health to be a federal election priority.
Twelve days’ reproductive health leave could save $26b
A new report reveals the staggering impact of reproductive health problems on productivity, feeding calls for extra leave entitlements.
Calls for permanent pill testing after festival success
The first festival pill-testing trial in Victoria has been hailed a success after 40 per cent of patrons indicated they would use smaller doses of their drugs.
COVID-19 vaccine negligence claims ‘needle in haystack’
A class action accuses the government of negligence in approving COVID-19 vaccines, but lawyers say the case has no chance of making it to a hearing.
Abortion access still a lottery for the disadvantaged
When it comes to abortion access, Victorians face a 'postcode lottery' with those in disadvantaged and regional areas confronting barriers to the service.
Patient warning over plan to ease GP load with pharmacy
The peak body for GPs has hit out at a NSW government plan to let pharmacies treat more health conditions to take pressure off doctors.
Why you can expect to see more Aussie doctors using AI
Australia doctors are increasingly using AI tools in their clinics but medical groups insist patients will not be diagnosed by technology.