Department of Health and Ageing | Latest News

Online Tobacco Ads Stubbed Out

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:57:43 +1000

The Senate passed legislation restricting online tobacco advertising in Australia on 8 February 2012.

New national body to support Medicare Locals

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:59:59 +1000

A national primary care organisation, the Australian General Practice Network, will form on 1 July 2012 a new national body for Medicare Locals– the Australian Government’s landmark new primary health care network.

New Study Finds Shorter Waiting Times May Save Lives

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:15:36 +1000

Health Minister Tanya Plibersek has welcomed a new study which shows the Australian Government’s policy of cutting the time patients wait in hospital emergency departments can “save lives.”

$11 million investment in new Victorian medical school

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:52:06 +1000

Health Minister Tanya Plibersek officially opened the University of Notre Dame Australia’s newly built Melbourne Clinical

More Indigenous Aged Care and Primary Health Care Workers for Remote Communities

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:01:43 +1000

Eighty three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged and primary health care trainees from the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Traineeship Program have completed training with new, nationally recognised qualifications in business and management.

Changes to Better Access

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:30:58 +1000

In the 2011-12 Budget, the Australian Government brought in changes to the Better Access program to deliver a mental health package that better targeted and supported some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.

New Kits Rolled Out To Tackle Ear Disease

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:10:44 +1000

A new resource kit to tackle ear disease amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids has been launched by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon.

Senior Australian of the Year 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:19:20 +1000

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing and Minister for Social Inclusion Mark Butler has congratulated the nonagenarian Indigenous community leader from north-east Arnhem Land, Laurie Baymarrwangga, who is this year’s Senior Australian of the Year.

Open for Business: Australia’s First National Mental Health Commission

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:01:13 +1000

The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, launched Australia’s first National Mental Health Commission on 23 January 2012.

NBN to further boost Telehealth Takeup

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:33:57 +1000

A new $20.6 million telehealth program using the National Broadband Network (NBN) will provide new and innovative in-home telehealth services to older Australians, people living with cancer and those requiring palliative care.

New Ads Encourage Australians to Shape Mental Health Reform

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 -1:-1:-1 +1000

From 21 January 2012, advertisements are appearing in newspapers across the country inviting Australians with a lived experience of mental illness to help shape national mental health reform.

Means Testing Won’t Hurt Private Health Insurance Industry

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:25:33 +1000

A new report has found the private health insurance industry increased its premium revenue by $1.25 billion in the last financial year, providing further evidence to Parliament that the industry is healthy and robust, and would not be significantly affected by means-testing of the private health insurance rebate.

A New Ten Year Plan for Mental Health

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:36:21 +1000

Australians have been invited to help carve out the future of our mental health system with the release of the draft Ten-Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform for public consultation.

Coalition Set to Stop Closing The Gap

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:31:37 +1000

Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon said comments by coalition Senator Nigel Scullion that a key role driving the Australian Government's push to reduce smoking rates should be scrapped prove again the Coalition will put the interests of big tobacco before the wellbeing of Australians.

Australia Reaches 1000 Organ Transplant Recipients in 2011

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:08:12 +1000

More than 1000 Australian lives were saved or improved through organ transplants in 2011.

New information phone line for women concerned about their breast implants - 1800 217 257

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:08:05 +1000

The Gillard Government today announced a new hotline for women concerned about their breast implants.

Make Good on New Year’s Weight Loss Resolutions

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:47:36 +1000

Australians who made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight can count on some help to reach their target weight.

Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Helpline is of great assistance to new parents

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:59:53 +1000

Parents celebrating the arrival of a baby in the New Year are reminded about the Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Helpline – 1800 882 436.

GP Helpline demonstrated to cut demand on EDs and After Hours GP Services

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:07:54 +1000

More than 20,000 people who have called the GP after hours helpline since it commenced on 1 July have been redirected from seeking urgent after hours treatment at either hospital emergency departments or GP after hours services.

New PBS Listings, including help for New Year's resolution to quit smoking

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:07:28 +1000

Smokers making a New Year’s resolution to quit the habit will benefit from new low strength nicotine patches being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme on January 1.