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.
healthcare 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.
‘Investment in disabled lives’: NDIS costs curb pledge
Changes aimed at reining in costs of the NDIS are being criticised by advocates but people on the disability scheme are being assured their needs will be met.
Appetite for sugar tax to fight diabetes and obesity
Calls for a tax on sugary drinks have won the support of a federal parliamentary committee among its recommendations to combat diabetes and obesity.
Vape ban contested as smokescreen rises over costs
Access to vapes will be made harder under new laws but the banning of e-cigarettes is being criticised as counterintuitive for promoting a black market.
Pharmacy lobby blasts plan for chemists to sell vapes
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has slammed a new plan that would allow smokers to buy vapes at pharmacies without the need for a doctor's prescription.
Alarm as steep rise in youth vaping overtakes smoking
Vaping has increased twofold among young people aged 15 to 29 in the past year despite national reforms to crack down on usage.
Social media key to stamping out vape and smoking rates
A generation of Australians are being set up for a health "catastrophe" unless action is taken against rising addictions to vaping and smoking, top doctors say.
Funding to curb long wait for women’s disease diagnosis
It took seven years and 11 different doctors before a Queensland woman was finally diagnosed with endometriosis - and found out it wasn't just in her head.
health
health organisations
health treatment
healthcare policy
mental illness
professional - women general
Why young women are Australia’s loneliest generation
Young women are suffering loneliness more than men, feeling a lack of companionship, isolation or feeling left out, according to a survey.
Healthy babies and land on track but other gaps wider
New data released by the Productivity Commission shows five of 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to address inequity for First Nations people.
More than $1 billion for women and girls’ health plan
The Queensland government has pledged $1 billion over five years to improve women and girls' health care experience as part of a landmark strategy.
budgets and budgeting
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
health
healthcare policy
politics (general)
Doctors, nurses make emergency call on federal budget
More than 40 health groups have called on the government to make climate and health funding a priority after services were challenged by extreme weather.
‘Not a gap, it’s a chasm’: govt warned on inequity
Indigenous organisations are calling on governments to implement recommendations by the Productivity Commission on the way they do business.
Urgent power shift needed to achieve Indigenous equity
The Productivity Commission has called on all Australian governments to honour their obligations under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Healing program aims to help Indigenous survivors of DV
More than half of Indigenous women are survivors of violence and it's hoped an expansion of community-driven services will provide culturally-based healing.
Psychedelic medicine is on its way. But it’s not ‘doing shrooms with your shrink’. Here’s what you need to know
Many people in Australia, including psychiatrists, were surprised when earlier this year the medicines regulator down-scheduled MDMA, known colloquially as ecstasy, and psilocybin, from magic mushrooms. This means that under certain circumstances from July 1, authorised psychiatrists will be able to prescribe MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and psilocybin to treat depression that has not responded to other treatments. Patients must also undergo psychotherapy (talking therapy). It all sounds very certain but it’s not really.
Charlie Teo’s parting swipe at medical regulator
Charlie Teo left a final disciplinary hearing this week with a parting swipe at Australia's medical oversight system, and the embattled surgeon is not alone.
Leading GP fears for profession’s future
The new president of Australia's peak body for GPs fears the occupation will cease to exist in the future due to diminished funding and workforce shortages.
Boost for young children with a disability
Young children with a newly-diagnosed disability or emerging developmental concerns can access projects backed by $13.8 million in federal government funding.