Essential childhood immunisation reaches record new high

Australia’s childhood immunisation rates have risen to record levels, with coverage for all five year olds now at 94.77 per cent.   Immunisation rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have increased even more.   All six categories made positive gains, with coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at five years 96.90…

Red Nose Day working towards saving little lives

Today is Red Nose Day, a day to remember loss and to spread the message to future mothers that the risk of stillbirth and neonatal death can be reduced.   While there has been a reduction in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in Australia, almost 3,000 young babies still die suddenly and unexpectedly each year.…

Application process open for $45 million for regional cancer centres

Public and private service providers are invited to apply for grants totalling $45.5 million, to develop regional radiation treatment centres for local cancer patients in ten regions across four states.   The Australian Government is providing the funding to improve access to radiation therapy for thousands of cancer patients in rural and regional areas of…

Transcript – Doorstop – Canberra

E&OE…                       Topics: Update on the COVID-19 response in Australia; Flattening the curve; Aged Care; Language translation; ADF Deployment; Vic State Control Centre meeting on 27 March.   GREG HUNT: We know at a time when the world has past 20.5 million cases and very sadly, agonisingly, almost three-quarters of a million people have officially…

Black Spot Program funds to improve safety on the Mornington Peninsula

Residents on the Mornington Peninsula received a major road safety boost today with the Australian Government announcing it will invest $4.9 million towards improving local roads under the 2020–21 Black Spot Program.   The Program will fund six projects across the Peninsula, helping to improve safety in towns such as Shoreham, Tuerong, Bittern, Dromana and…

Further mental health support for Victorians during COVID-19 pandemic

The Australian Government is providing an additional $12 million to ensure people in Victoria can access 24/7 mental health support through digital and telephone counselling services during this difficult time.   Our Government recognises the mental health impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on individuals and communities, particularly those in Victoria, where regrettable but necessary…

Additional COVID-19 Mental Health Support

The Australian Government will provide 10 additional Medicare subsidised psychological therapy sessions for people subjected to further restrictions in areas impacted by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of our Government’s highest priorities, and this Government recognises the mental health impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on…

New AMA leadership team elected at 2020 AMA National Conference

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has announced its new president, Dr Omar Khorshid, following Dr Tony Bartone’s two year tenure coming to an end. Dr Khorshid is an orthopaedic surgeon from Perth and a former AMA WA President and current AMA Federal Councillor. Supporting Dr Khorshid, will be by the new Federal Vice-President Dr Chris…

New operating theatres open at Mater Private Hospital, Townsville

Residents of Townsville and the greater North Queensland region will benefit from new, state of the art operating theatres at the Mater Private Hospital’s Pimlico campus.   The new digital operating theatres, officially opened today, are part of the Mercy Centre, the centrepiece of the $50 million redevelopment of the Pimlico facility.   The Australian…