Bupa accused of 'unscrupulous behaviour'
It comes amid action by the competition watchdog for its rejection of thousands of claims in their entirety when patients were partially covered.
The ABC has been contacted by patients around the country with concerns legitimate claims were denied, poor communication with patients and problematic billing practices with day hospitals.
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ABC News
3 hours ago
- ABC News
Flu cases, hospitalisations on the rise as SA government urges for more vaccinations
Reported flu cases across South Australia have spiked 70 per cent this year, according to government data, prompting fears about the health system's capacity to cope with more hospital presentations. The state government released data on Friday showing there had been 10,569 reported flu cases so far in 2025, up from 6,212 at the same time last year. It comes after a total of 1,627 new flu cases were reported in the past week, which is almost the highest number of cases reported in any week for the past five years, according to the government. The number of people hospitalised due to the flu has also increased to 1,042 this year, compared to 673 at this point last year. Health Minister Chris Picton said the flu case spike was causing two problems: an increase in hospital presentations and more health workers taking sick leave. "We have seen a spike in hospitalisations and significantly more hospitalisations because of the flu than the same time last year," Mr Picton said. "And also, we've seen more absences in terms of many of those workplaces because the workers themselves have the flu." Mr Picton said workplace flu absences were affecting GPs, doctors, and aged care workers. He said there had "never been a more important time to make sure that you're vaccinated for flu". "That's why we're focusing our efforts particularly in terms of young kids, but also older people and people who have chronic health conditions." South Australia's take-up of the flu vaccine is the highest of any mainland states at 32.1 per cent of the population, according to the state government. That is higher than Victoria at 29.9 per cent, New South Wales at 26.8 per cent and Western Australia and Queensland at 25.8 per cent, the government said. The flu spike comes as the state's hospital system continues to struggle with demand. Ambulance ramping hours soared to their third-highest level on record in May, with patients spending 4,791 hours waiting outside public hospitals for treatment. The data, the most recent released by the state government, was taken before the onset of winter and the spike in flu cases Last year's winter saw ambulance ramping reach record levels, with the paramedic's union fearing 2025 will be even worse. Paul Ekkelboom, general secretary of the Ambulance Employees Association (AEA), said the flu figures were "alarming". "History tells us it's only going to get worse from here," he said, adding it was "only a month into winter". "It's placing a huge strain on our health system, every winter there is an increase in the demand and this includes flu cases." Mr Ekkelboom said "from all accounts" ramping hours were going up, adding that ambulance crews were dealing with fatigue and burnout. "We are concerned it's only a matter of time before this situation, where demand can't be met, results in negative patient outcomes," he said.
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Mothers in Victoria write to health minister amid confusion about RSV injection
A group of Victorian mothers have written to the health minister after struggling to get their children an antibody nirsevimab injection as part of the state's free RSV vaccination program. When Alissa Holder took her six-month-old baby to get a routine vaccination in April, she had no idea the ordeal she and her child was about to endure. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly infectious illness that infects up to 90 per cent of children in their first two years. It is one of the most common causes of hospitalisation of infants in Australia. This year the Victorian government introduced a program to provide free antibody nirsevimab injections, or the RSV shot, to eligible women and infants until late September 2025. Ms Holder saw seven doctors and five nurses in an effort to get her baby protected against RSV but said she was repeatedly denied the shot despite being eligible. A nurse from one clinic later confirmed her baby was eligible but that the clinic did not offer nirsevimab. She was advised to "doctor shop". On June 7, Ms Holder called triple-0 because her baby was coughing and struggling to breathe. Five days later, Ms Holder's baby tested positive for RSV. Ms Holder is now part of a group of 10 Ballarat parents with similarly confounding experiences that have written to Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas about "the inequitable, confusing and ultimately dangerous … roll-out of the program in [the Ballarat] area". Amy Fuller contributed to the letter to Ms Thomas, detailing her month-long "stressful" process to get her newborn the nirsevimab shot. "We were originally told by the maternal child health nurse when we went for our normal vaccinations that we weren't eligible." Ms Fuller was later told by a GP that her baby was eligible, but that the clinic did not have any nirsevimab medicine. "We rang around Ballarat looking for vaccines and most places didn't have them," she said. Ms Fuller eventually found two clinics that offered the shot but was denied access because they were not "regular patients" at those clinics. She only recently got her child protected against the virus at a clinic but said there was still confusion. "They weren't entirely sure [about the injection]," Ms Fuller said. "One of them told us it was a live vaccine, one told us it wasn't, and they weren't sure if we had to wait 15 minutes or not [afterwards]." In the letter to the health minister, one mother said their doctors advised them the RSV injection "did not exist" and other parents said that some clinics could only order one dose per week or per month. Ms Thomas's office did not respond to a request for comment for this article, instead referring the ABC to the Department of Health. Under the Victorian RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program: The ABC understands the Department of Health is aware of the confusion about the RSV program within Victorian clinics and has since redistributed information and literature. "There is no shortage of nirsevimab in Victoria," a department spokesperson said. "Providers have been advised to order only what they need for scheduled appointments to ensure fair and efficient distribution. "Order limits have been relaxed as the respiratory illness season has progressed." The department said it had proactively sought to support health providers with additional information and guidance, including direct engagement with GP clinic staff. It said 46,000 doses of maternal RSV vaccine Abrysvo and more than 23,000 doses of nirsevimab had been distributed in Victoria. Ramya Raman, a practising GP and the Royal Australian College of GPs vice-president, said her patients had voiced confusion about the RSV injection. "The rate at which the public policy has been rolled out has been a little bit staggered and different between the states, and that's probably contributed a little bit to the confusion," Dr Raman said. She advised against doctor shopping. "It's important to have a regular GP because it means that that doctor will know exactly the family history, the mum's history, and will be able to advise appropriately whether they are eligible or not eligible," Dr Raman said. The day after her baby tested positive for RSV, Ms Holder got a call from the first nurse she met with, who apologised. The nurse went on to say that her baby was in fact eligible for RSV protection and she had since begun administering the jab to other infants as a result of multiple parents asking questions. "When it comes to health care it's important [governing bodies] don't leave any room for misinterpretation … because it can lead to illness and potentially death," Ms Holder said. "Make it really clear and simple and in plain English so that anyone can understand it." Editorial note 4/7/2025: The nirsevimap injection is not a vaccine, but a is a long-acting monoclonal antibody that can be given to infants to protect them from severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus disease. There is an RSV vaccine available for pregnant women, Arexvy and Abrysvo.
SBS Australia
4 hours ago
- SBS Australia
New Hope of Lung Cancer Detection with Screening Program
LISTEN TO SBS Indonesian 04/07/2025 07:18 Indonesian The Australian government has funded a national early screening program that is expected to bring the numbers down. Scans to detect lung problems usually cost hundreds of dollars - but the Health Minister said that from July 1, the cost will not be levied at any cost to patients deemed at high risk of lung cancer. Eligibility will be determined based on age - those aged between 50 and 70 - and smoking history which counts as a minimum of 30 packs per year. Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3pm. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram , and don't miss our podcasts .
