Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
While the political jockeying continues in Canberra, doctors around the country are concerned that health is sliding off the national agenda.
Hobart doctor Graham Alexander has been heartened to see independent MPs emerge as kingmakers.
“The immediate reaction from the independents such as Tony Windsor was the reaction from what he heard from his constituents, which is [...]
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Filed under: Funding, Government, Health
Posted on August 29th, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
Key planks of Julia Gillard’s Health reform program have been thrown into doubt
Experts are warning the chance of significant changes to the system have probably evaporated along with Labor’s parliamentary majority.
Health experts say even if Labor succeeds in forming a minority government, its fragility would probably prevent it proceeding with contentious elements of the package.
As [...]
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Filed under: Funding, Government, Health
Posted on August 28th, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
THE loathed Coalition health and welfare Access Card is suddenly back on the agenda.
Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey is proposing to use the mandatory new healthcare identifiers to monitor people on benefits.
A spokeswoman for Mr Hockey said the idea was not Coalition policy, but would be considered by an Abbott government.
However Mr Hockey told The [...]
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Filed under: Government, Health, Information Technology, Privacy
Posted on August 25th, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
Despite Australia’s doctor shortage, public hospitals are unable to meet the demands of training the next generation of medical specialists.
So far this year, the New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmanian health systems have been unable to offer internships to all the medical students who need them. A sharp rise in student numbers has also contributed [...]
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Filed under: Career, Funding, Government, Health
Posted on August 22nd, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
AUSTRALIAN scientists are moving closer towards discovering a drug that may stop cancer in its tracks.
The team is unravelling the structure of a protein present in 85 per cent of cancers, so they can design a drug to attack it.
They hope the drug, which could inhibit a broad range of cancers, will be available on [...]
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Filed under: Government, Health
Posted on August 21st, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
The Cancer Council is concerned the introduction of SPF50+ sunscreen in Australia could lull people into a false sense of security and is refusing to back it.
The new rating is expected to be introduced to the market next year after it is approved by Standards Australia.
Cancer Council Skin Committee chairman Terry Slevin says he is [...]
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Filed under: Government, Health
Posted on August 21st, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
Waiting times for some patients to see a doctor in country South Australia have blown out to six weeks or longer.
The state vice-president of the Rural Doctors Association, Peter Rischbieth, says some of the worst-affected areas include Port Lincoln, Naracoorte, the Riverland and Kapunda.
Dr Rischbieth says while emergency treatment is usually available, patients are increasingly [...]
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Filed under: Funding, Government, Health
Posted on August 20th, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
Canberra Hospital management has been sharply criticised by a panel reviewing maternity services in the ACT, saying it has not dealt with inappropriate behaviour in its maternity unit.
But the ACT’s branch of the Australian Medical Association says it expects personality differences within the Canberra Hospital’s maternity ward will fade now the unit has been put [...]
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Filed under: Government, Health, Hospital Events
Posted on August 20th, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
Labor are desperately lying at the last minute about the effect of the Coalition’s spending management measures upon the PBS.
Contrary to Labor’s false claims:
* There will be no change to the PBS;
* These measures will not increase the costs of pharmaceuticals to seniors;
* These measures will not remove or alter current access to drugs on [...]
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Filed under: Funding, Government, Health
Posted on August 20th, 2010 by Catherine Obuch
When Bob Hawke addressed the Labor Party launch earlier this week he said when you make a judgment about what political party to vote for, you have to look at their form.
What do we know about Mr Abbott’s form as Health Minister?
We know he cut $1 billion of funding from public hospital funding. We know [...]
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Filed under: Funding, Government, Health
