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).
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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).
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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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