Australia's universal healthcare is crumbling. Can it be saved?
Experts like Mr Breadon say, above all else, the way Medicare pays clinicians needs to be overhauled to keep healthcare access genuinely universal.
That is, the government needs to stop paying doctors a set amount per appointment, and give them a budget based on how large and sick the populations they serve are – that is something several recent reviews have said.
And the longer governments wait to invest in these reforms, the more they're going to cost.
"The stars may be aligning now... It is time for these changes, and delaying them would be really dangerous," Mr Breadon says.
In Streaky Bay though, locals like Ms Williams wonder if it's too late. Things are already dangerous here.
"Maybe that's the cynic in me," she says, shaking her head.
"The definition of universal is everyone gets the same, but we know that's not true already."
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Reuters
2 days ago
- Reuters
Vaccine actions and policy positions under US Health Secretary Kennedy
June 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic, has been making sweeping changes to reshape U.S. regulation of vaccines, food and medicine. The most far-reaching of his moves culminated in the layoff of all 17 members of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of vaccine experts. Here are some of the policy moves under Kennedy's leadership in recent months, related to vaccines: FDA Recommendations for Influenza Vaccines Date of Announcement: March 13, 2025 Details: The FDA independently recommends virus strains for the 2025-2026 influenza vaccines, deviating from traditional advisory committee voting. This move assures no impact on the timing or availability of vaccines for the public. Environmental Toxin Studies Related to Autism Date of Announcement: April 16, 2025 Details: Kennedy plans studies on environmental contributors to autism, including vaccines, despite lacking scientific evidence. This approach aligns with his longstanding views on vaccines and environmental factors. Launch of US Autism Project Using Medicare and Medicaid Data Date of Announcement: May 7, 2025 Details: Federal agencies will create a database to research autism causes, focusing on Medicare and Medicaid data, as part of a broader effort to explore potential links between vaccines and autism. FDA Tightens Requirements for COVID Vaccine Date of Announcement: May 20, 2025 Details: The FDA plans new trials for annual COVID-19 boosters, limiting them to older adults and those at risk of severe illness. This change aligns with international perspectives on COVID vaccination strategies. US Drops COVID Vaccine Recommendation for Healthy Kids, Pregnant Women Date of Announcement: May 27, 2025 Details: The U.S. stops recommending routine COVID vaccinations for pregnant women and healthy children, bypassing the CDC's traditional advisory process. Cancellation of Moderna Bird Flu Vaccine Contract Date of Announcement: May 28, 2025 Details: The Trump administration cancels a contract with Moderna for the late-stage development of its bird flu vaccine, after determining it did not meet scientific standards. Moderna explores alternatives for its vaccine's development. Kennedy Guts Vaccine Advisory Committee Date of Announcement: June 9, 2025 Details: Kennedy fires all members of the CDC vaccine expert panel, which recommends how vaccines are used and by whom, promising to restore public trust in health agencies. Scientists and experts say the changes would undermine public confidence in health agencies.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
Terminally ill man behind Church of Scotland assembly on the 'really difficult' assisted dying conundrum
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It was a speech he never expected to make, but one that he hoped will offer insight and comfort for others living with or supporting friends and family with terminal illnesses. Now, a man who delivered a powerful address to the Church of Scotland's General Assembly about his own experience with life-limiting disease has called for a major upsurge in investment in palliative care and questioned the assisted dying legislation passing through Holyrood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad John Williams, 71, has been undergoing dialysis treatment for the past seven years - a situation complicated by the fact he has also been diagnosed with cancer of the small bowel that has spread to his lung and spine. Such health problems have given Mr Williams cause to think deeply about assisted dying, an issue that has occupied the minds of those in the church, MSPs and wider civic Scotland in recent months. John Williams addresses the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. | Andrew O'Brien It has also made Mr Williams even more aware of the crucial and compassionate services provided by palliative care specialists, having been referred to St Columba's Hospice after being referred by Dr Tony Duffy, his palliative care consultant. Call for hospices to receive better funding package He said he wished he had been made aware of palliative care sooner, and described the resources afforded to hospices as a 'disgrace' that had to be urgently addressed. 'There just isn't the capacity there, and the number of people who die in hospices is just a tiny figure,' he said. 'The hospices are just not supported or properly funded and they need volunteers just to run things.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As things stand, Mr Williams, who has no idea how long he has left to live, said he could not support the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill that passed an initial vote at Holyrood last month. But he said there was an opportunity to work towards 'better' legislation provided key issues were addressed. 'How are you going to square doing this with the medical profession - how is that going to work in practice?' he said. 'I think that's the really difficult one. 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North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Wales farm visit health warning ahead of Open Farm Sunday
They have issued a warning about the potential health risks associated with farm visits ahead of the national day on Sunday, June 8. Animals, even healthy ones, can harbour diseases capable of causing illness in humans, including diarrhoeal diseases such as Cryptosporidium and E. coli. These infections can trigger symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps, with some strains of E. coli potentially leading to serious complications, such as kidney damage. Certain groups of people – pregnant women, children, elderly people, and those with health conditions affecting their immune system – are at a higher risk of becoming unwell or facing complications from these infections. A recent Cryptosporidium outbreak linked to farm visits resulted in more than 80 confirmed cases. Although most victims made a full recovery within two weeks, some required hospital treatment. Christopher Williams, consultant epidemiologist for Public Health Wales, said: "Infection can be caught from direct contact with animals or touching things that have animal faeces (poo) on them. "The risk of infection can be reduced by strictly following safety advice." He urged visitors to wash their hands with hot water and soap immediately after contact with animals and before leaving the farm. He also advised avoiding close contact with animals, such as cuddling or holding them, and refraining from eating or drinking near animals or while walking through the farm. Mr Williams added: "The bugs can survive on clothes, shoes, and pram wheels after leaving the farm. "So, continue hand hygiene after touching items which could be contaminated until the item has been cleaned. "Any soiled clothes, shoes or other items should be cleaned promptly. "Prepare for visits by wearing sensible footwear, avoiding open toe shoes. "If you get ill after visiting a farm, contact your GP or 111. "Ensure good hygiene to avoid passing infection to others." To further lessen the risk of infection, visitors are encouraged to supervise children closely, ensure they wash their hands correctly, and refrain from eating or drinking near animals or while walking around the farm. Pregnant women should be particularly vigilant and avoid contact with lambing sheep, other animals giving birth, and newborn or baby animals. Individuals who become unwell with a diarrhoeal illness following a farm visit should not return to work, school, or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
