Long consults and free children’s health checks:GPs’ budget wish list
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Healthcare

Long consults and free children’s health checks:GPs’ budget wish list

GPs want to relieve the burden on those with chronic and complex illnesses,and to provide yearly checks for children.

  • byNatassia Chrysanthos

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More than 7 million scan orders in three months but patients now paying huge gap fees

More than 7 million scan orders in three months but patients now paying huge gap fees

The overall bulk-billing rate for the 7.8 million diagnostic imaging services carried out in Australia in the September quarter was 76.4 per cent – the lowest since the three months to December 2013.

  • byNatassia Chrysanthos
More than 900 parliamentary questions on health and aged care unanswered

More than 900 parliamentary questions on health and aged care unanswered

Federal Labor has been accused of showing contempt for transparency over a shortfall in answers to questions on notice since late October.

  • byOlivia Ireland
Medical industry braces for vape addiction as first stage of ban begins

Medical industry braces for vape addiction as first stage of ban begins

From New Year’s Day,all imported disposable vapes – with or without nicotine – will be banned as the first stage of the government’s crackdown to eventually limit vaping to people with a prescription.

  • byOlivia Ireland
Home Affairs flags probe of St Vincent’s cybersecurity after Christmas hack

Home Affairs flags probe of St Vincent’s cybersecurity after Christmas hack

Patients of St Vincent’s are no closer to understanding whether their sensitive personal or health records are among the stolen information.

  • byRachael Dexter andAngus Thomson
Health insurers look to raise premiums,claiming they pay the highest prices for medical devices

Health insurers look to raise premiums,claiming they pay the highest prices for medical devices

Private health insurance companies say inflationary pressures and high costs from medical technology companies contributed to their request to increase premiums by up to 6 per cent.

  • byOlivia Ireland
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Helplines thrown a $450 million helpline for surging distress calls

Helplines thrown a $450 million helpline for surging distress calls

Health Minister Mark Butler has announced $456 million for Lifeline,13YARN,Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline.

  • byOlivia Ireland
For better or worse,vape addicts forced to switch or quit
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Smoking&vaping

For better or worse,vape addicts forced to switch or quit

As disposable vapes vaporise from the market next year,expect plenty of angst as addicts either quit,convert to cigarettes,or scramble for the “therapeutic” alternative.

  • byZach Hope
Gone in a puff of smoke:Importing disposable vapes banned from next year

Gone in a puff of smoke:Importing disposable vapes banned from next year

Disposable vapes won’t be allowed into Australia from the new year,but people will be able to get a prescription from any doctor or nurse practitioner.

  • byNatassia Chrysanthos
Australians to receive new COVID vaccines targeting Omicron sub-variants

Australians to receive new COVID vaccines targeting Omicron sub-variants

The new monovalent vaccines will be available from December 11,while only about a quarter of vulnerable people have had their booster as the country reports a surge in cases.

  • byNatassia Chrysanthos
Cost of an average doctor’s appointment up $10 in one year:GPs

Cost of an average doctor’s appointment up $10 in one year:GPs

In the same year the Albanese government pledged to overhaul the health system,the proportion of GPs who said they bulk billed all their patients halved from 24 to 12 per cent.

  • byNatassia Chrysanthos