20 Jan 2026
Medicare cheque payments set to be phased out by 2028
Medicare rebate cheques could soon become a thing of the past, with the Federal Government proposing to fully phase them out by mid-2028 as part of broader reforms to modernise the payment system.
20 Jan 2026
Australia’s first needle-free adrenaline spray approved for anaphylaxis
A new nasal spray for adrenaline has been approved in Australia, offering people at risk of severe allergic reactions a needle-free treatment option for the first time.
19 Jan 2026
GP burnout putting pressure on healthcare systems worldwide
Burnout among general practitioners is becoming a serious global issue, with Australian doctors among those feeling the strain, according to a major international survey. The findings show that rising administrative workloads and complex patient care are leaving many GPs exhausted, frustrated, and stretched for time — a trend experts warn could weaken health systems if left unchecked.
19 Jan 2026
GPs Could Soon Predict Dementia Risk in Stroke Patients with New Tool
Researchers in Sydney have developed a practical tool that could help GPs identify stroke survivors at risk of developing dementia. The study, led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and published in Neurology, analysed data from more than 2,600 stroke patients across 12 international studies to create a model that predicts dementia risk within five years.
19 Jan 2026
‘Urgent Need’ to Plan for Extreme Weather, Study Warns
A new study by researchers at the Australian National University (ANU), published in ScienceDirect (Tong et al., 2026), shows that extreme weather is already driving a significant number of hospital visits in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
15 Jan 2026
When patients use AI, GPs can be part of the answer
As more Australians turn to artificial intelligence for health information, general practitioners have an opportunity to guide its use and push for stronger safeguards, writes Dr Janice Tan.
16 Jan 2026
GPs raise concerns over low-dose iron supplements ‘barely more than cornflakes
Low-dose iron supplements have come under scrutiny, with some health professionals calling them “a waste of time.” The debate highlights ongoing issues around over-the-counter products sold in supermarkets and online.
16 Jan 2026
Extra measles dose urged for infants travelling overseas
Australian health experts are reminding families to check their children’s vaccinations before heading overseas, with updated advice recommending an extra measles vaccine dose for young infants who travel internationally.
16 Jan 2026
Lung cancer screening off to a strong start
Australia’s first new national cancer screening program in nearly 20 years is already seeing strong participation, with tens of thousands of people coming forward since its launch last year.
15 Jan 2026
In Practice: DVA removes prior approval for some health services
From 1 January 2026, certain health services for Veteran Card holders no longer require prior financial approval from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), making it easier and faster for veterans to access care. Providers can now claim these services through existing channels using the updated DVA fee schedule. A full list of services is available on the DVA website.