Private patients in public hospitals remains a growing concern

The Turnbull Government is very concerned about the growing practice of private health insurance being charged by public hospitals for treatments that should be free. Figures released this week by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that state governments and hospitals are continuing to actively encourage patients to use their private health…

Time for action on endometriosis

The Turnbull Government will create the first National Action Plan for Endometriosis, providing much needed support for women who face this often misunderstood medical condition.  The Plan will seek to improve the treatment, understanding and awareness of endometriosis, which affects around one in ten Australian women.  It will be developed in collaboration with the Australian…

Major $640 million investment in Australia’s world-leading medical research

The Turnbull Government will invest $640 million to support Australia’s world-leading health and medical researchers as they continue their work in the laboratory, clinic and the community to find the next major medical breakthrough. Cancer research continues to be a major priority for the Turnbull Government with $109 million allocated to projects for research into…

Interview with Jon Faine – ABC Melbourne

E&OE…                        Topics: Russia’s Winter Olympics ban; Labor’s citizenship dishonesty; Milo Yiannopoulos; same sex marriage    JON FAINE: Greg Hunt, the Member for Flinders, is also the Minister for Sport in the Turnbull Government and the Minister for Health and joins me this morning from…

Continuing to make new medicines affordable for Australians

A new medicine to treat soft tissue sarcoma will be available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from today, giving more than 100 Australians a year access to affordable life-improving treatment. Eribulin (Halaven®) provides eligible patients with an alternative treatment to currently listed medicines.  It works by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. The independent…

Better health care for people with chronic conditions

Up to 65,000 Australians will soon be receiving improved care for their ongoing chronic conditions, with the expansion of the Turnbull Government’s trial of Health Care Homes. An additional 168 general practices and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) will offer Health Care Home services from today, building on the 22 clinics already in the…

Grace Groom Memorial Oration

Thanks very much to Jennifer for that very warm introduction. And I would equally acknowledge your contribution in the conduct, the direction and the outcome of the national plebiscite and a change which will be defined, I think, in terms of equality and the way the nation sees itself, not just over this decade but…

$53 million to find better mental health treatments and care

The Turnbull Government will provide more than $53 million for new research into better treatments, prevention and care for Australian patients facing mental health challenges.  A total of 47 projects will be funded across Australia to support some of our nation’s brightest researchers. With four million Australians experiencing some form of mental illness each year,…