Health
Cheaper health cover on the way
SEAN PARNELLRevelations that 10,000 people are dropping private cover a month has forced new laws to cut premiums, but only for some.
Ensuring the patient knows best
SEAN PARNELLThe Australian Orthopaedic Association is to be commended for releasing data on joint replacement surgery.
Bupa nurse cuts hit ‘good faith’
RICK MORTONBupa will cut its nurse management workforce in half by merging two roles into one, according to an internal memo.
Medibank offers in-home rehab
Sarah-Jane TaskerMedibank will today begin offering in-home rehab for joint replacement patients.
NDIS hiring generates job growth
DAVID URENThe surge in employment this year owes more to the ramp up of the NDIS than to any broad recovery in the economy
States lobby Hunt over codeine
SEAN PARNELLThe Pharmacy Guild is lobbying for some over-the-counter sales of codeine products to continue.
Hospitals ‘driving up premiums’
Sean ParnellPublic hospitals can access 44 per cent more funding for patients if they bill their insurer, according to a new analysis.
Health funds could go for bronze
SEAN PARNELLConsumers would support moves to categorise health-insurance policies into gold, silver and bronze, an reform committee is told.
No breast cancer testing funds
Sarah-Jane TaskerFunding has been refused for technology that could spare thousands of Australian breast cancer patients from chemotherapy.
Flu puts pressure on hospitals
Samantha Hutchinson, Michael OwenThe Victorian government will spend another $115 million to help hospitals cope with the state’s worst flu season.
Doctors fight training takeover
RICK MORTON, SID MAHERDoctors are preparing to fight a proposed government-backed takeover of health education and training.
Bid to end jail for fine defaults
VICTORIA LAURIEWestern Australia’s Attorney- General says he is actively working to ensure that people are no longer put behind bars simply for failing to pay fines.
New jab after deadly flu season
SIMONE FOX KOOBThe World Health Organisation has recommended Australia modify its influenza vaccine next year.
Official flu death toll hits 121
TESSA AKERMANThe flu season continues to claim lives, with 121 deaths recorded this month, up from 72 at the beginning of the month.
Health sector ‘faces disruption’
Sarah-Jane TaskerPrimary Health Care CEO Malcolm Parmenter says more could be done to improve consumer experience in healthcare.
Maker in ‘high-level’ flu talks
RICK MORTONTalks are underway to introduce a super flu vaccine for elderly Australians.
Fatal flu email ‘lost in mix-up’
RICK MORTONA nursing home in Victoria was overlooked by Canberra because the state government notified the wrong federal agency.
Flu deaths expected to rise
REBECCA URBAN, GREG BROWN, SIMONE FOX KOOBAustralia’s flu outbreak could last for 12 more weeks with experts warning the death toll will likely rise
Give kids the gift of the jab
EMILY RITCHIE, SAM BUCKINGHAM-JONESKynan Meara-Fletcher is a typical seven-year-old boy: social and vivacious, but he succumbed within days to flu.
