GPs on frontline of $9.1 billion battle Demand for mental health care continues to grow, with 2.4 million Australians receiving Medicare-subsidised services in 2016–17.
Millions in funding for national action plan for lung conditions The funding came on the same day a Queensland audit identified nearly 100 stonemasons with the potentially fatal lung disease silicosis.
Government pledges $70m annually for dementia care More than 30 specialist care units for patients with dementia will be established under the new funding.
Government announces almost $100 million in new funding for GP aged care visits The funding is part of a $512 million commitment to primary healthcare within this week’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2018–19.
Australia-wide rapid response system to suicide clusters to be developed After a shock rise in deaths by suicide last year, the Federal Government has committed to building a rapid response system to suicide clusters in communities.
RACGP welcomes stronger My Health Record privacy protection for teenagers Increased privacy provisions for My Health Record passed by Federal Parliament last week are exactly what Australia’s GPs have been calling for.
New funding to increase mental health support for veterans The Federal Government has announced it will commit $100,000 for a veteran mental health outreach pilot project.
Government appoints first aged care quality and safety Commissioner The Federal Government has announced the appointment of a new Commissioner to lead the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Ban dry processing to halt spread of accelerated silicosis, expert warns Unless regulated urgently, Australia’s stone cutting industry is heading towards an epidemic of silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica.
Healthcare costs under scrutiny in South Australian budget The new South Australian Government has handed down its first budget, with healthcare costs under the microscope.