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 left a final disciplinary hearing this week with a parting swipe at Australia's medical oversight system, and the embattled surgeon is not alone.
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.
Young children with a newly-diagnosed disability or emerging developmental concerns can access projects backed by $13.8 million in federal government funding.
The Queensland government says the Commonwealth should fund more medical student placements so states can grow the nation's health workforce.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's first national cabinet meeting has agreed to extend health and hospital funding for the pandemic until the end of the year.
The Australian Medical Association Queensland has called for increased Medicare rebates and a national summit to restructure the nation's health care systems.
Tasmania is lifting its remaining coronavirus density and capacity limits from this weekend, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced.
A Senate inquiry into GP services in rural Australia has heard the doctor shortage in the bush is a desperate situation that is only going to get worse.
Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard has outlined the future of pandemic restrictions in the state and his aims for COVID-19.
Queensland has recorded another 18 deaths and 9974 COVID-19 cases, on the two-year anniversary of the state's first virus case.
