COVID-19: Whole of population telehealth for patients, general practice, primary care and other medical specialists

To provide continued access to essential primary health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government is expanding Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for all Australians and providing extra incentives to general practitioners and other health practitioners. These critical changes have been designed in partnership with key stakeholders in the sector including the Australian Medical Association, Australian…

Travel restrictions for remote areas commence tonight

The Australian Government is working in close collaboration with State and Territory Governments to help save Australian lives by stopping the spread of COVID-19.   Following agreement from the National Cabinet, the movement into certain remote areas is being restricted to protect some of our most vulnerable Australians.   From 11:59pm Thursday 26 March 2020,…

Transcript – 7news ‘The Latest’ interview with Michael Usher

E&OE…                       Topics: A message to parents and younger people; Elective surgery developments; COVID-19 impacts on hospitals; Professor Peter Doherty’s prediction; Future lockdowns.   MICHAEL USHER: And a new announcement that elective surgeries are being cancelled in hospitals around the country. I spoke with the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt.   Minister, thank you for…

Transcript – Sky News interview with Chris Kenny

E&OE…                       Topics: COVID-19 update; Hospital expansion; Ruby Princess cruise ship; School closures.   CHRIS KENNY: Let’s cross to the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, live from his electorate on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Thanks so much for joining us, Greg.   I’ve been critical of people second guessing the experts here and playing…

Transcript – ABC News Breakfast Interview with Michael Rowland

E&OE…                       Topics: Coronavirus update; job losses; new social distancing measures; travel ban; schools; medical research   MICHAEL ROWLAND: Let’s bring in the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt. Minister, good morning to you.   GREG HUNT: Good morning, Michael and Lisa.   MICHAEL ROWLAND: I want to start by asking you, as a senior Minister,…

Australian Government text message regarding Coronavirus prevention steps

Starting today, every Australian mobile phone will be sent a text message from the Australian Government with important steps each person can take to protect their own health, the health of their families and the health of the whole community from the coronavirus.   As the spread of the coronavirus increases, it’s vital every Australian…

Government backs remote communities with COVID-19 support

The Australian Government is offering 45 flexible grants to help 110 remote communities across Australia protect themselves against COVID-19.   The grants are available as part of the Government’s $57.8 million Remote Community Preparedness and Retrieval package.   Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the Government was focused on ensuring remote Indigenous communities were prepared…

Training to help nurses re-enter the health workforce

The Australian Government will provide funding for registered nurses to undertake online education to enable them to re-enter the clinical workforce and assist with the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite swift action by Australian governments, the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to grow. It is likely that unprecedented demand for health care…

Transcript – Doorstop – Canberra

E&OE… Topics: COVID-19m update; Telehealth; Infection control training; Ventilator units; Preventative measures; PPE; Communications campaign; stage 2 of shutdowns; anti-viral drugs; mental health; Regional and rural services. GREG HUNT: Professor Michael Kidd, Michael has joined the Chief Medical Officer’s team. He is a professor of primary care, he is the head of primary health and…

Transcript – 2GB Interview with Alan Jones

E&OE… Topics: Coronavirus update; testing; private health insurance premiums ALAN JONES: One other thing I’ll just say, and I don’t care if I embarrass Greg Hunt, we all got to bear in mind here these people are worn out too – they’re human beings. I mentioned about Gladys Berejiklian; she’d been on that bushfire front…