‘So many wonderful things’: Why this GP couple went rural Drs Gerard and Melanie Considine were among the first new Rural Generalist Fellows. They tell newsGP what draws them to their work.
Health reform an ‘urgent priority’: Premiers’ new year push With the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce report imminent, state politicians are ensuring general practice remains at the top of the national agenda.
Clampdown on asynchronous patient telehealth prescribing The Medical Board of Australia has signalled a tougher stance in its revised telehealth guidelines, which are currently out for public consultation.
Threat of ‘strong legal action’ for misuse of surgeon title Its use is to be limited to surgeons, obstetricians and gynaecologists, and ophthalmologists, with cosmetic qualification standards still being assessed.
‘Disappointing news’: Government pulls Clinical Taskforce funding Formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Clinical Evidence Taskforce still hopes to attract support for its work.
Antibiotic shortages hit general practices Certain medications are in short supply in many parts of the country, with GPs needing to find alternatives for common treatments.
Review of bulk billing consent requirement flagged DoH is looking into ‘assignment of benefit’ requirement for bulk billing, with the arrangement under the spotlight due to telehealth.
Review seeks to solve Better Access flaws Disparities in mental health access is a major theme of a comprehensive Government-commissioned evaluation of the 16-year-old initiative.
Ill health burden increases in Australia New statistics from the AIHW suggest that people spent more time unwell in 2022 than previous years – a trend driven by COVID-19.
GPs urged to not dismiss molnupiravir entirely While guidelines say the drug should be only prescribed as a ‘last resort’, there are concerns this could deter GPs from prescribing the treatment altogether.