Yearly bulk billing rates plummet Practices are being forced to pass on their costs to patients, as owners worry about skyrocketing bills and the looming spectre of payroll tax.
Professor Michael Kidd to step down from DoH The former RACGP President, who was one of the most high-profile officials dealing with the COVID-19 response, is moving on.
Prime Minister confirms new Health Secretary appointment An experienced public servant has been tapped to fill the role being vacated by Professor Brendan Murphy.
Spotlight on bulk billing incentive impact Officials have told the Senate Estimates committee they hope the measure will increase bulk billing rates as well as the viability of general practice.
College calls on Health Minister to intervene in compliance campaign Mark Butler has been asked to step in after ‘problematic’ letters were sent to almost 600 GPs.
An unsettling case: The impact of a drawn-out audit on the vulnerable Is a ‘rigid, inflexible’ compliance approach experienced by GPs treating some of society’s most at-risk patients damaging health equity?
Health Minister challenged on ‘Robodebt’ compliance letters A prominent GP has voiced his frustration with the department’s latest compliance letter campaign directly to Mark Butler during a live radio segment.
Senator raises ‘distressing’ impact of controversial Medicare fraud reports Recent Medicare fraud and non-compliance claims have been roundly rejected by public officials and politicians in a Senate Estimates hearing at Parliament House.
Vaccine rollout lessons put on hold An Audit Office report contains criticisms of planning and communication but offers few concrete suggestions for improvement.
‘Hybrid immunity’ enough to protect healthcare workers: DoH New advice indicates there is not enough evidence to support offering healthcare workers a fourth ‘winter dose’.