The 2024 health budget — the big announcements
There were a lot of pieces in last night’s federal budget, even if nothing was on the scale of the $3.5 billion for bulk-billing incentives…
Antony Scholefield
Antony is a medical reporter with a special interest in technology and pharmacy.
MBS item for reviewing mental health care plans to be scrapped
Note: This article has been updated with a response from the Department of Health and Aged Care. The $78.95 MBS item for reviewing a mental…
‘Medicare is not coming to the rescue’: Average gap fee for a level B consult rises to $44
The average GP gap fee is now $44.10 for a standard consultation and $62.70 for a long consultation, government data show, as practices grapple with…
$227 million window dressing? Govt to fund 29 more urgent care clinics in the Federal Budget
A $227 million pledge to fund 29 more urgent care clinics has increased GP concerns about how the universal bulk-billing clinics funded directly by taxpayers…
AstraZeneca makes ‘business decision’ to pull COVID-19 vaccine from Australia and EU
The TGA has withdrawn approval for COVID-19 vaccine Vaxzevria on the request of its sponsor, AstraZeneca. It finally closes a complex and controversial chapter in…
Renal cell carcinoma: Survival benefit with pembrolizumab extends to four years
Patients given pembrolizumab for renal cell carcinoma continue to reap the benefits at four years’ follow-up, with researchers reporting a 38% lower risk of death…
AMA members to vote on state AMA’s viability lifeline
A vote at the AMA’s AGM later this month will determine whether Tasmania becomes a branch of the Federal AMA rather than an independent entity.…
Medical colleges pushed aside as ministers demand more specialist IMGs to fix workforce crisis
Something of both symbolic and real-world importance was announced by the Medical Board of Australia yesterday. It came in a media release that talked of a plan…
Major GP corporate could be sold for $1 billion: report
The GP corporate once known as Primary Health Care could be changing hands yet again — reportedly for $1 billion. The clinic group established by…
‘You’re expected to manage anything’: Life as a doctor on a tiny island
Dr Jodie McCoy was already working at Norfolk Island’s only hospital when she was a teenager, as a lifestyle officer at its aged care component.…
