In the media

Telehealth extension welcome, but rule changes ignore patient interests
'The Australian Government's announcement that Medicare-supported telehealth arrangements for GP consultations will continue to March 2021 is welcome - but there is a sting in the tail for patients', says Alison Verhoeven, Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (18 September 2020). More...

Why are people ditching private health insurance during a global pandemic?
Despite the fact a deadly virus is raging around us, thousands of young Australians have decided to dump their private health insurance as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic set in (18 September 2020). More...

New guidance for GPs on obtaining valid informed consent
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released a new fact sheet for GPs and other healthcare providers outlining the general legal principles and practice of obtaining informed consent from patients (17 September 2020). More...

Australia's chief health officers back Queensland border trigger
Australia's state and territory chief health officers have backed Queensland's strict trigger for reversing hotspot declarations, which stop people from those areas travelling to the state without a special exemption (16 September 2020).

Published – articles, papers, reports

Long-term health impacts of bushfires still unknown
With the 2020 bushfire season upcoming and the tragedy of the Black Summer bushfires still fresh, experts have called for knowledge gaps on the adverse effects on people's physical and mental health to be addressed. The recommendations are part of a bushfire expert brief, 'After the bushfires: addressing the health impacts', published by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) (16 September 2020).

Practice and Regulation

Approval of new drugs and medical technologies
Following a referral on 13 August 2020 from the Minister for Health, The Hon Greg Hunt MP, the Committee is inquiring into approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia. Due 13 October 2020. More...

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