Past Discussions
Australian Health Policy News
This news site is an aggregation of news feeds from many Australian and international news sources that relate to the Australian political and health policy environement. As this is a highly political issue we have included news feeds from both the Liberal and Labor parties. It is our intention to provid a diverse array of news feeds into these pages and in so doing we will be able to provide a balanced and insightful representation of the Australian health policy areas. The source of all news feeds are clearly marked to allow readers to make the appropriate assessments of their value.
All the news sites are first aggregated into one news service and then searched with health realated key words to select the articles that appear in this page.
The articles in this page do not represent the views or policies of HISA.
Looking for vision and leadership on mental health reform
A national mental health strategy must be appropriately funded and implemented -- ensuring that everyone who needs help will get treatment and support as early as possible, writes Barbara Hocking, executive director of SANE Australia.
Read more [Crikey Politics]
E-Health records become a reality
The Federal Government's $466.7 million e-health records scheme will shortly start to surface in patientsâ lives in the real world, with Health Minister Nicola Roxon announcing three trial general practitioner networks that will start to implement the technology.
Read more [CIO Government]
Reality of e-health moves fall short
LABOR came into office with Health Minister Nicola Roxon promising to put e-health back on the agenda. She has failed.
Read more [The Australian: Business - Healthcare]
Coalition win to help miners, healthcare
MINERS and healthcare providers will be the major beneficiaries if the Coalition wins the federal election this weekend.
Read more [The Australian: Business]
Coalition win to help miners, healthcare
MINERS and healthcare providers will be the major beneficiaries if the Coalition wins the federal election this weekend.
Read more [The Australian: Business - Healthcare]
The health debate continues on Croakey
Kudos to Nicola Roxon for observing a couple of hard truths at yesterday's health debate with Peter Dutton. However, she also appeared to rank action on obesity as a lower priority than tobacco and alcohol and that doesn't cut it. Croakey diagnoses (and continues) the debate.
Read more [Crikey Politics]
Health foes fail to land a knockout
NICOLA Roxon was considered by some the favourite to emerge the victor from yesterday's clash with the more laidback Peter Dutton.
Read more [The Australian: Opinion]
Health debate paints a stark choice
THERE was no clear winner in today's policy debate between Health Minister Nicola Roxon and her shadow Peter Dutton.
Read more [The Australian: Opinion]
What to make of the Coalition’s health policy
If one was looking for a policy that addresses the gross inequities of our health system that are based on financial and geographical barriers to access, then there is little to see, writes Dr Tim Woodruff, of the Doctors Reform Society
Read more [Crikey Politics]
Govt steals our health policy: O'Farrell (AAP)
NSW Labor has stolen the coalition's health reform strategy in order to get re-elected in March, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Coalition health policy 'bad for NSW' (AAP)
Opposition leader Tony Abbott's health and hospitals policy will undo the reforms agreed on by the Commonwealth and states, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally says.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
No sympathy for GPs feeling squeeze (AAP)
Doctors who say they're losing patients to the government's GP super clinics should become more competitive, federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Gillard comes from a long line of Labor mental health failures
Gillard knows a lot about mental health but the policy announced on Tuesday is straight out of the top draw of Roxon and the bureaucrats at DOHA responsible for this shambles, writes John Mendoza.
Read more [Crikey Politics]
Labor promises more hospital beds in SA (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says South Australia will get 100 more beds to help rehab and mental health patients.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Roxon says election not about gender (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says gender will probably not play a huge role in this year's federal election.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Serious health issues remain - Roxon (AAP)
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says there are serious health issues to be addressed in Australia, especially in mental health.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Abbott will cut hospital funding: Roxon (AAP)
Nicola Roxon has fired the first health salvo of the 2010 election campaign, warning funding will be stripped from hospitals if the coalition wins.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Hospitals website launched but no date (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon has announced the MyHospitals website will start next month - but cannot give a date.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Roxon says Abbott win would hurt health (AAP)
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says Tony Abbott will wreck health care.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Department of Health & Ageing -Wanneroo GP Super Clinic a Step Closer
The establishment of the Wanneroo GP Super Clinic moved closer today with the review of concept plans by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon. Edith Cowan University is in discussions with the City of Wanneroo and the North Metro Area Health Service about detailed arrangements and services for the Wanneroo GP Super Clinic. The GP Super Clinic program is a five-year, $275.2 million commitment to improving primary care.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Department of Health & Ageing -Building SA’s Health And Medical Research Institute
The Australian Government's health and hospital reform took another step forward today with Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon, South Australian Health Minister John Hill and Member for Adelaide Kate Ellis turning the first sod of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). The institute has been made possible because of funding from the Australian Government's Health and Hospital Fund. SAHMRI has been made possible due to a $200 million commitment by the Australian Government's Health and Hospital fund.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Diabetes plan can be tweaked: Roxon (AAP)
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the government is prepared to finetune its diabetes treatment proposal to ensure patients aren't worse off.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Department of Health & Ageing -Australian Government Acts on New South Wales Nursing Home
The Australian Government last night (8 July 2010) imposed sanctions on Fairfield Nursing Home Holdings Pty Ltd, the approved provider of Fairfield Nursing Home in New South Wales. In response to the serious concerns, the Department of Health and Ageing has imposed measures to immediately address resident care, including: Revocation of approved provider status unless the approved provider appoints an Administrator with clinical and nursing experience- approved by the Commonwealth for a period of six months Cessation of Commonwealth subsidies for new residents entering the home after 23 June 2010 for a period of six months and Revocation of approved provider status unless the approved provider agrees to provide training for its officers, employees and agents. Anyone with concerns about the care or welfare of residents should contact the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme on .
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Press Release - New $4.9 Million Medical Training Facility for Chermside [08/07/2010]
The Deputy Prime Minister, Wayne Swan, and Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, today announced a new $4.9 million investment in a medical training facility in Chermside. A clinical school will be built at Holy Spirit Northside Private Hospital which will provide multidisciplinary training for doctors, nurses and physician assistants. During a visit to the hospital today, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Health and Ageing announced that the Australian Government would provide up to $4.9 million for the project.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Department of Health & Ageing -New Beds For Prince Of Wales Hospital
Australia's historic health and hospital reform is set to deliver an additional 12 beds to Prince of Wales Hospital. The new beds were announced during a visit today to Prince of Wales Hospital by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon. Ms Roxon said that today's announcement builds on funding provided to the Prince of Wales Hospital by the Australian Government to reduce elective surgery waiting lists through the provision of new surgical equipment.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Department of Health & Ageing -New Beds for Campbelltown Hospital
Australia's historic health and hospital reform is set to deliver an additional 20 beds to Campbelltown Hospital. The new beds were announced during a visit today to Campbelltown Hospital by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon. The funding for Campbelltown Hospital is part of the Australian Government's commitment to putting in place the most significant reforms to Australia's health and hospitals system since the introduction of Medicare.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Stroke Patients To Benefit from the National Broadband Network
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy, and the Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon, today said stroke patients would be among the first to benefit from the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Read more >
Read more [Australian Labour Party RSS Feed]
Health a key issue for Labor at election (AAP)
Health will take centre stage at the upcoming federal election, says Health Minister Nicola Roxon.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Stroke patients to benefit from the National Broadband Network | Senator Stephen Conroy | Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy, and the Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon, today said stroke patients would be among the first to benefit from the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Liberal contract misleading, says Roxon (AAP)
The Liberal Party's "action contract" would be referred to the competition watchdog for misleading behaviour if it was real, Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Cancer spike worries health minister (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon admits a 10 per cent spike in the number of cancer cases in Australia is a "worrying trend".
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Cancer spike worries health minister (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon admits a 10 per cent spike in the number of cancer cases in Australia is a "worrying trend".
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Mental health concerns legitimate: Roxon (AAP)
The professor who resigned from the federal government's National Advisory Council on Mental Health has legitimate concerns, Health Minister Nicola Roxon says.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Roxon denies 'backflip' weakens reforms (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says scrapping a proposed national funding authority won't reduce transparency.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Abbott's beliefs affecting policy: Roxon (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon has attacked Tony Abbott, accusing the opposition leader of letting his personal beliefs affect his policy formulation.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Midland super clinic moving closer
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon and Member for Hasluck, Sharryn Jackson today unveiled plans for the $10 million Midland GP Super Clinic.
Read more >
Read more [Australian Labour Party RSS Feed]
Primary Health Care Roundtable at Blacktown Hospital
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and Federal Labor Candidate for Greenway, Michelle Rowland today met with local GPs and primary health care providers from the Blacktown and Mt Druitt areas to discuss the future of frontline health care services in the region.
Read more >
Read more [Australian Labour Party RSS Feed]
Department of Health & Ageing -Primary Health Care Roundtable at Blacktown Hospital
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, today met with local GPs and primary health care providers from the Blacktown and Mt Druitt areas to discuss the future of frontline health care services in the region. Ms Roxon told the roundtable that under the National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement, the Commonwealth would take full funding and policy responsibility for all GP and primary health care services from 1 July 2011. 'I look forward to working with local health professionals to boost frontline GP and primary health care services in the region.'.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Roxon optimistic about homebirth future (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon has hinted that insuring private midwives could eventually benefit those wanting to offer homebirth services.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Healthcare identifiers
The draft regulations for the national healthcare identifiers have been revised and the Government will propose amendments to the Healthcare Identifiers Bill to respond to issues raised during public consultation.
Read more >
Read more [Australian Labour Party RSS Feed]
Department of Health & Ageing -Healthcare Identifiers
The draft regulations for the national healthcare identifiers have been revised and the Government will propose amendments to the Healthcare Identifiers Bill to respond to issues raised during public consultation. The amendments will make the legislation safer and more secure and increase parliamentary oversight of the Healthcare Identifiers Service. The changes to the proposed regulations will provide: greater clarity for healthcare organisations in how they would liaise with the new Healthcare Identifiers Service streamlined administrative requirements for healthcare providers that would maintain appropriate processes, monitoring and enforce penalties for unauthorised access and a new right-of-review provision for healthcare providers without healthcare identifiers in relation to some decisions.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
More trying to quit smoking: govt (AAP)
Health Minister Nicola Roxon says more people are trying to stop smoking since steep cigarette price rises.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
Department of Health & Ageing -$5 Million Boost to Quitline
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon today used World No Tobacco Day to announce that the Rudd Government will provide $5 million to help support Quitline services around Australia. Since the release of these tough tobacco measures there has been an increased demand for Quitline services - including reports that calls to the Quitline have doubled. Funding for Quitline will help support increased demand for services.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
$5 million boost to Quitline
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon today used World No Tobacco Day to announce that the Rudd Government will provide $5 million to help support Quitline services around Australia.
Read more >
Read more [Australian Labour Party RSS Feed]
National Palliative Care Week 2010 - $14 million Boost
Minister for Health Nicola Roxon and Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot, today marked National Palliative Care Week 2010 by announcing $14.3 million to fund nine projects for improved palliative care services, research, training and information.
Read more >
Read more [Australian Labour Party RSS Feed]
Department of Health & Ageing - National Palliative Care Week 2010 - $14 Million Boost
Minister for Health Nicola Roxon and Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot, today marked National Palliative Care Week 2010 by announcing $14.3 million to fund nine projects for improved palliative care services, research, training and information. The Rudd Government is funding Palliative Care Australia (PCA) to help support National Palliative Care Week 2010. Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC).
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Department of Health & Ageing -National Palliative Care Week 2010 - $14 Million Boost
Minister for Health Nicola Roxon and Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot, today marked National Palliative Care Week 2010 by announcing $14.3 million to fund nine projects for improved palliative care services, research, training and information. The Rudd Government is funding Palliative Care Australia (PCA) to help support National Palliative Care Week 2010. Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC).
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Who benefits from the millions spent on health department PR?
The federal Department of Health and Ageing has paid more than $2.8 million for a private communications company to run its crisis media management for the past five years.
Read more [Crikey Politics]
Department of Health & Ageing -Indigenous Women’s Health Strategy Welcomed
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, have welcomed the release of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Health Strategy. The strategy, developed by the Australian Women's Health Network (AWHN) Aboriginal Women's Talking Circle, seeks to address the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women's health. The AWHN received $99,450 from the Rudd Government to support the Aboriginal Women's Talking Circle to consult with more than 400 Indigenous women across Australia on health issues, gaps, and barriers to services for the strategy.
Read more [Australian Government Media Releases]
Roxon delays mental health changes (AAP)
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has agreed to postpone changes to mental health funding.
Read more [Yahoo 7: News]
