Are drugs or poor health the largest barrier to getting off welfare? Federal Government plans to drug test welfare recipients and expand the use of cashless cards come as a new report links good health with the ability to find and keep work.
Renewed push to drug test ‘vulnerable’ welfare recipients criticised The plan could see around 5000 recipients of Newstart or Youth Allowance undergo mandatory drug testing as part of a two-year trial.
‘Unexplained pharmaceuticals’ found in complementary and alternative medicines Nearly half of the 135 complementary and alternative medicines tested by researchers had contaminants, including animal DNA and potential allergens.
Voluntary assisted dying: The current state of affairs A proposed bill has been backed by WA’s lower house, bringing it one step closer to legalisation. What about the rest of the country?
New voluntary aged care standards designed for a ‘very complex sector’ The RACGP document will be the first of its kind and focus on how RACFs can support and improve standards of primary healthcare delivery.
Overdose figures prompt calls to reduce paracetamol pack size Annual poisoning cases in Australia related to the over-the-counter painkillers increased by nearly 45% over 10 years.
Report the ‘first step’ towards nationwide primary care data asset The massive data collection program should improve patient outcomes while potentially raising the profile and political leverage of general practice.
Pharmacy Guild scope-of-practice push continues The calls, found in a submission to the National Rural Health Commissioner, include the ability to prescribe medicines and administer more vaccines.
Unsafe air pollution standards up for review The RACGP has joined calls to reduce the amount of toxic pollution allowed in the air, at the same time as new research strengthens its link with increased death rates.
Medicare confirms validity of electronic referrals A six-month push for information has provided clarity on the previously murky area of Medicare rebates derived from electronic referrals.