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Staff writers and AAP
News Articles
MPs attack the AMA over tough asylum-seekers stance
Federal MPs have lined up to attack the AMA today, as the association strengthened its stance on the treatment of asylum-seekers. Following his criticism last night that mandatory detention was both physically and mentally harmful to potential refugees, AMA president, Dr Steve Hambleton, today called outright for an end to the policy. “Well, it must end,” he told Sky News. “We must actually look after people better. Community detention is a heck of a lot better – they can get proper schooling, proper health, proper education. We’ve got to look after people better – particularly these desperately ...
Queries over safety of point-of-care-testing dismissed
CLAIMS from pathologists that point-of-care testing poses a danger to patients have been dismissed by a leading advocate. The claims came as reports surfaced about a bungle at PRP Diagnostic Imaging, in NSW, where a nurse accidentally used the same needle to test the blood sugar levels of 53 cancer patients. The nurse mistakenly believed the finger-prick device being used automatically changed needles. Authorities have launched an investigation and the patients face a three-month wait to find out if they have been infected with HIV or hepatitis B or C. Katherine McGrath, chief executive of ...
Changes to Govt health reform plans revealed
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has unveiled the Government’s revised health reform plans including a number of sweeteners and concessions aimed at winning over the states ahead of this Sunday’s Council of Australian Governments meeting. As part of the new deal to be put to the states, the Federal Government would expand the number of Medicare locals above the previously planned 57 while increasing the number set to become operational this year. It would also fast-track reforms to after-hours GP care, through which Medicare Locals will plan and support local face-to-face GP after-hours services. The planned clawback ...
Gillard to unveil health reform changes at COAG meeting
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard is reportedly preparing to abandon Labor’s widely criticised proposal to impose four-hour waiting time targets on hospital emergency departments, as she attempts to convince state leaders to sign up to her government’s health reforms. Media reports indicate Ms Gillard is prepared to make key concessions on the Federal Government’s planned reforms. The latest touted concession by the PM to dump the proposed mandatory four-hour waiting time targets for hospitals, reported by News Limited newspapers today, follows advice from doctors and other medical experts who have argued such targets are unachievable. The PM ...
Govt won't rule out health reform backflip
THE Federal Government has refused to rule out dumping its former leader Kevin Rudd's proposed suite of health and hospital reforms ahead of next week's COAG meeting with the states. Mr Rudd struck a deal with most states and territories last year to make the Commonwealth the dominant funder of public hospitals in exchange for 30% of their GST payments. However, recent media reports have suggested Prime Minister Julia Gillard was preparing to ditch the reforms in favour of delivering funding directly to hospitals, and denying states promised money for expenditure growth and capital works. There ...