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ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Union hopeful as NSW government vows to refurbish Broken Hill ambulance station
When Ben Weller moved to far-west New South Wales to join the local paramedic squad in 2022, his place of work was equipped to handle 18 full-time employees. A few years on, the number of paramedics in Broken Hill has more than doubled, although there have been no changes to the decades-old infrastructure to accommodate them. It has left Mr Weller, now the local delegate for the Ambulance Division of the Health Services Union (AD HSU), hopeful some planned refurbishments will address this issue. Last year, the NSW government announced a $615.5 million investment into NSW Ambulance to deliver 30 new ambulance stations and more than 2,500 additional staff across the state, including regional and rural areas. Mr Weller said this has led to the number of full-time equivalent staff based at the Broken Hill Ambulance Station to grow from 18 to 36. "We're currently over that level at 42, so it's been a huge change, and I think overall quite a positive one for our community," Mr Weller said. Despite welcoming the growth in staff, Mr Weller admits the boost in numbers has not come without drawbacks. He said, apart from the space where the vehicles were stored, the current facilities, first built in 1981, were dated and too cramped, which he worried presented issues with long-term staff retention. "We've done what we can to make it homely and make it welcoming for all our new staff," he said. "[But] it is quite a small environment and it's not the best work environment. "I know at the moment our change rooms are inadequate, there's quite a lot of asbestos in the building [and] the space is just too small in terms of square metreage." According to Mr Weller, the asbestos in the structure has also delayed internal maintenance works, including repairing a urinal in the male toilets, which has been out of order since January 2017. Amid a series of announcements about new ambulance stations across the state, the ABC Broken Hill contacted the state government and NSW Ambulance about upgrading the existing station. A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the station "will be refurbished this financial year to improve the facilities for paramedics". "The safety of patients and paramedics is our highest priority," they said in a statement, adding that any "hazardous material" would be removed and disposed of safely. A NSW government spokesperson said, with ambulance staff being on the frontline of the state's health system, upgrading ambulance stations was "a major focus". Ambulance NSW said it would keep staff updated on the progress of the works, although Mr Weller said he had yet to hear any specifics from a union perspective. The ABC also asked NSW Ambulance for more details about the timeline and scope of the works, but did not receive a response. Mr Weller said he was pleased to hear an official commitment to improving the station and believed collaborating with the AD HSU and local staff and management would lead to the best outcome. "It's a pretty tight timeline, so it would be amazing if we could start engaging with [Ambulance NSW] straight away to pave the way forward," he said. "Having that space for staff to train and really progress their personal development [will be] huge in retaining them and keeping them engaged in their workforce.
SBS Australia
12-08-2025
- Health
- SBS Australia
SBS News in Filipino, Tuesday 12 August 2025
Mixed reactions to the news the Federal Government will follow Canada, France and the U-K in formal recognition of Palestininan statehood at a UN summit next month. A proposed nation-wide recycling scheme could see things like two minute noodles, chocolate bars, and breakfast cereals, cost more at the supermarket. More than 50,000 health workers in New South Wales will receive an 8.5 per cent pay rise over the next two years after the state government reached a deal with the Health Services Union. 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
The Australian
11-08-2025
- Health
- The Australian
Historic NSW health worker wage deal: the new benefits
A new two-year wage agreement is set to deliver pay increases and improved conditions for tens of thousands of NSW health workers. The NSW government and the Health Services Union NSW (HSU NSW) have finalised the landmark two-year salary agreement delivering significant pay rises and better conditions for more than 50,000 public health workers across the state. The deal provides an 8.5 per cent pay increase over two years, exceeding the government's 3 per cent wage policy. Workers will receive a 4 per cent pay rise in the first year, followed by a further 4 per cent increase plus an additional 0.5 per cent superannuation contribution in the second year. The new agreement will give health workers an 8.5 per cent pay increase in two years. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire It covers a wide range of NSW Health staff including allied health workers, hospital cleaners, scientists, security officers, patient transport officers, pharmacy assistants, linen workers, and wardspeople. HSU NSW secretary Gerard Hayes said the agreement was a 'big stride towards wage justice' for those who kept hospitals clean, safe, and patient-focused. 'This historic agreement recognises the indispensable work of pharmacy assistants, security officers, linen workers, cleaners and wardspeople,' Mr Hayes said. 'These workers are often overlooked, yet without them, our hospitals would collapse. 'Over the four years to June 2027, a hospital assistant will see their pay jump by more than $10,000, from around $52,000 to over $62,000. 'A wardsperson's annual salary will be $10,400 higher by 2026-27, while security officers will pocket an additional $10,500 per year. That's real money that makes a real difference to working families.' HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said the agreement was a 'big stride towards wage justice'. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper The agreement also supports allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians, and speech pathologists through a formal work value case process with the Industrial Relations Commission. Mr Hayes said these workers had increasingly taken on more complex responsibilities, honed new skills, and broadened their scope of practice, yet their compensation had not kept pace. 'The work value case provisions give them the platform they deserve to have their true worth recognised and compensated,' Mr Hayes said. Additional workplace benefits include earlier payment of higher-grade duties after three days instead of five, rest periods between rostered shifts increased to 10 hours from eight hours, and a requirement for four weeks' notice for roster changes, up from the previous two weeks. Health Minister Ryan Park said they were 'rebuilding a supported and capable workforce'. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short The agreement also builds on HSU NSW's successful campaign for full salary packaging benefits, providing thousands of dollars in additional value to typical hospital workers. Mr Hayes said the deal provided members with certainty and security while sustaining their drive for fairer pay. 'It shows what can be achieved when workers stand together and when government recognises the essential contribution of healthcare workers,' Mr Hayes said. NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the offer was a major step in repairing the state's healthcare system. 'This offer to increase wages and deliver benefits to more than 50,000 health workers across NSW is a major next step in repairing our state's healthcare,' Mr Mookhey said. A landmark wage deal has been reached for more than 50,000 NSW health workers. NewsWire / Nikki Short 'These allied health workers, hospital cleaners, scientists, security officers, patient transport officers and others play a crucial role in giving the people of NSW the care they expect.' Health Minister Ryan Park said they were 'rebuilding a supported and capable workforce'. 'We abolished the wages cap and established a new bargaining framework,' Mr Park said. 'We are working to fix recruitment and retention. 'More health staff, lower wait times, better health outcomes – it's as simple as that.' Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said the multi-year agreement was the first of its kind in more than a decade for these essential workers. '(It) represents a significant step forward in recognising their vital contribution and ensuring fairer pay and conditions into the future,' Ms Cotsis said. Andrew Hedgman Reporter Andrew Hedgman is a journalist for NCA Newswire. Andrew Hedgman
The Advertiser
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Doctors dispute billions being lost in Medicare fraud
Overcharging on medical bills and rorting the public health system is costing taxpayers up to $5000 a minute, a health union says. But the peak professional body representing doctors says the numbers don't add up in a Health Services Union (HSU) report that paints a picture of fraud in the $30 billion Medicare Benefits Schedule scheme. Leaning on previous analyses, the report estimated fraud and non-compliance rates to range from five-to-30 per cent. It described one estimate of $10 billion in bogus claims as a figure that "cannot be definitively disproven" due to no effective system to measure fraud and non-compliant billing in the first place. The report published on Wednesday found about three-in-five medical professionals referred to the Medicare-related watchdog in 2024 were GPs. But the union said it suspects the watchdog was not adequately investigating specialists and other non-GP billers, representing nearly 70 per cent of all Medicare claims. "Billions of taxpayer dollars are being siphoned away from healthcare through fraudulent Medicare billing," HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said. "It's got to stop. Government and regulators have to hold people to account." "This is public money. Medicare has to be delivering for all of the community not just a certain few." The union said upcoding was a common fraud tactic, with medical practitioners inflating consultation times to increase reimbursements. Nearly two-thirds of Professional Services Review case outcomes in 2024 involved upcoding, while 38 per cent involved incorrect use of GP management plan and/or team care arrangement item numbers. AAP has sought comment from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The union, which represents more than 50,000 health workers including in hospitals and pathologies, also surveyed 110 healthcare workers in billing, finance, and compliance. Survey respondents reported witnessing doctors billing for services they did not provide, unnecessary procedures performed purely for billing purposes and systematic manipulation of billing codes to inflate Medicare claims. One-in-three healthcare workers said they had witnessed or suspected improper billing practices but only 17 per cent understood how to report Medicare fraud. Half of those surveyed said they faced pressure to maximise profit from Medicare billing and more than 93 per cent of healthcare workers said they were too afraid to report fraud because of fears of retaliation. The union also pointed the finger at the medical doctors' group, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for deflecting and resisting meaningful oversight. "Too many practitioners treat Medicare as an unlimited funding source, structuring their operations around maximising claims rather than responsible spending of public funds or optimising patient care," the 28-page-report published on Wednesday said. But the association lambasted the union's claims as "baseless" insisting that it was getting on "with the job of pursuing meaningful reforms". The government-commissioned Philip review in 2023 found Medicare compliance issues were overwhelmingly caused by the complexity of the system, it said. AAP has approached federal Health Minister Mark Butler for comment. Overcharging on medical bills and rorting the public health system is costing taxpayers up to $5000 a minute, a health union says. But the peak professional body representing doctors says the numbers don't add up in a Health Services Union (HSU) report that paints a picture of fraud in the $30 billion Medicare Benefits Schedule scheme. Leaning on previous analyses, the report estimated fraud and non-compliance rates to range from five-to-30 per cent. It described one estimate of $10 billion in bogus claims as a figure that "cannot be definitively disproven" due to no effective system to measure fraud and non-compliant billing in the first place. The report published on Wednesday found about three-in-five medical professionals referred to the Medicare-related watchdog in 2024 were GPs. But the union said it suspects the watchdog was not adequately investigating specialists and other non-GP billers, representing nearly 70 per cent of all Medicare claims. "Billions of taxpayer dollars are being siphoned away from healthcare through fraudulent Medicare billing," HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said. "It's got to stop. Government and regulators have to hold people to account." "This is public money. Medicare has to be delivering for all of the community not just a certain few." The union said upcoding was a common fraud tactic, with medical practitioners inflating consultation times to increase reimbursements. Nearly two-thirds of Professional Services Review case outcomes in 2024 involved upcoding, while 38 per cent involved incorrect use of GP management plan and/or team care arrangement item numbers. AAP has sought comment from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The union, which represents more than 50,000 health workers including in hospitals and pathologies, also surveyed 110 healthcare workers in billing, finance, and compliance. Survey respondents reported witnessing doctors billing for services they did not provide, unnecessary procedures performed purely for billing purposes and systematic manipulation of billing codes to inflate Medicare claims. One-in-three healthcare workers said they had witnessed or suspected improper billing practices but only 17 per cent understood how to report Medicare fraud. Half of those surveyed said they faced pressure to maximise profit from Medicare billing and more than 93 per cent of healthcare workers said they were too afraid to report fraud because of fears of retaliation. The union also pointed the finger at the medical doctors' group, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for deflecting and resisting meaningful oversight. "Too many practitioners treat Medicare as an unlimited funding source, structuring their operations around maximising claims rather than responsible spending of public funds or optimising patient care," the 28-page-report published on Wednesday said. But the association lambasted the union's claims as "baseless" insisting that it was getting on "with the job of pursuing meaningful reforms". The government-commissioned Philip review in 2023 found Medicare compliance issues were overwhelmingly caused by the complexity of the system, it said. AAP has approached federal Health Minister Mark Butler for comment. Overcharging on medical bills and rorting the public health system is costing taxpayers up to $5000 a minute, a health union says. But the peak professional body representing doctors says the numbers don't add up in a Health Services Union (HSU) report that paints a picture of fraud in the $30 billion Medicare Benefits Schedule scheme. Leaning on previous analyses, the report estimated fraud and non-compliance rates to range from five-to-30 per cent. It described one estimate of $10 billion in bogus claims as a figure that "cannot be definitively disproven" due to no effective system to measure fraud and non-compliant billing in the first place. The report published on Wednesday found about three-in-five medical professionals referred to the Medicare-related watchdog in 2024 were GPs. But the union said it suspects the watchdog was not adequately investigating specialists and other non-GP billers, representing nearly 70 per cent of all Medicare claims. "Billions of taxpayer dollars are being siphoned away from healthcare through fraudulent Medicare billing," HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said. "It's got to stop. Government and regulators have to hold people to account." "This is public money. Medicare has to be delivering for all of the community not just a certain few." The union said upcoding was a common fraud tactic, with medical practitioners inflating consultation times to increase reimbursements. Nearly two-thirds of Professional Services Review case outcomes in 2024 involved upcoding, while 38 per cent involved incorrect use of GP management plan and/or team care arrangement item numbers. AAP has sought comment from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The union, which represents more than 50,000 health workers including in hospitals and pathologies, also surveyed 110 healthcare workers in billing, finance, and compliance. Survey respondents reported witnessing doctors billing for services they did not provide, unnecessary procedures performed purely for billing purposes and systematic manipulation of billing codes to inflate Medicare claims. One-in-three healthcare workers said they had witnessed or suspected improper billing practices but only 17 per cent understood how to report Medicare fraud. Half of those surveyed said they faced pressure to maximise profit from Medicare billing and more than 93 per cent of healthcare workers said they were too afraid to report fraud because of fears of retaliation. The union also pointed the finger at the medical doctors' group, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for deflecting and resisting meaningful oversight. "Too many practitioners treat Medicare as an unlimited funding source, structuring their operations around maximising claims rather than responsible spending of public funds or optimising patient care," the 28-page-report published on Wednesday said. But the association lambasted the union's claims as "baseless" insisting that it was getting on "with the job of pursuing meaningful reforms". The government-commissioned Philip review in 2023 found Medicare compliance issues were overwhelmingly caused by the complexity of the system, it said. AAP has approached federal Health Minister Mark Butler for comment. Overcharging on medical bills and rorting the public health system is costing taxpayers up to $5000 a minute, a health union says. But the peak professional body representing doctors says the numbers don't add up in a Health Services Union (HSU) report that paints a picture of fraud in the $30 billion Medicare Benefits Schedule scheme. Leaning on previous analyses, the report estimated fraud and non-compliance rates to range from five-to-30 per cent. It described one estimate of $10 billion in bogus claims as a figure that "cannot be definitively disproven" due to no effective system to measure fraud and non-compliant billing in the first place. The report published on Wednesday found about three-in-five medical professionals referred to the Medicare-related watchdog in 2024 were GPs. But the union said it suspects the watchdog was not adequately investigating specialists and other non-GP billers, representing nearly 70 per cent of all Medicare claims. "Billions of taxpayer dollars are being siphoned away from healthcare through fraudulent Medicare billing," HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said. "It's got to stop. Government and regulators have to hold people to account." "This is public money. Medicare has to be delivering for all of the community not just a certain few." The union said upcoding was a common fraud tactic, with medical practitioners inflating consultation times to increase reimbursements. Nearly two-thirds of Professional Services Review case outcomes in 2024 involved upcoding, while 38 per cent involved incorrect use of GP management plan and/or team care arrangement item numbers. AAP has sought comment from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. The union, which represents more than 50,000 health workers including in hospitals and pathologies, also surveyed 110 healthcare workers in billing, finance, and compliance. Survey respondents reported witnessing doctors billing for services they did not provide, unnecessary procedures performed purely for billing purposes and systematic manipulation of billing codes to inflate Medicare claims. One-in-three healthcare workers said they had witnessed or suspected improper billing practices but only 17 per cent understood how to report Medicare fraud. Half of those surveyed said they faced pressure to maximise profit from Medicare billing and more than 93 per cent of healthcare workers said they were too afraid to report fraud because of fears of retaliation. The union also pointed the finger at the medical doctors' group, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for deflecting and resisting meaningful oversight. "Too many practitioners treat Medicare as an unlimited funding source, structuring their operations around maximising claims rather than responsible spending of public funds or optimising patient care," the 28-page-report published on Wednesday said. But the association lambasted the union's claims as "baseless" insisting that it was getting on "with the job of pursuing meaningful reforms". The government-commissioned Philip review in 2023 found Medicare compliance issues were overwhelmingly caused by the complexity of the system, it said. AAP has approached federal Health Minister Mark Butler for comment.
Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Beyond comprehension': The massive blind spot in NSW's health funding
Beasley said the failure to embed prevention into the health system despite repeated evidence and recommendations was 'beyond comprehension'. 'So, too, is how we have allowed NSW public hospitals to have so many patients in wards for extended periods of time beyond any need for acute care to be provided to them, many of whom are elderly Australians who could and should be cared for in aged-care facilities,' he said. Beasley scolded Australian governments for not imposing a sugar tax, describing this as a 'monumental failure' amid rising obesity rates. The report recommended that preventative healthcare be made a whole-of-NSW government priority and tasked the state government with delivering primary care and aged care in communities that lacked access to either. Loading 'For a health system to function as we would want it to, primary care cannot be allowed to wither. If that happens, we will pay for it in worse health outcomes and poorer population health,' Beasley said. Access to Commonwealth funding streams 'should clearly be pursued by the NSW government', but delivering care 'should not await the outcome of those intergovernmental discussions', the report said. The report backed health economist Stephen Duckett's view that there had been a 'collapse of workforce planning' in Australia's healthcare system, which relied on internationally trained doctors and nurses because 'we have not grown and trained our own', a shortage of GPs, psychiatrists, radiologists, nurses and midwives, which hit regional and rural areas hardest. He noted NSW Health staff had not had a significant pay rise for more than a decade, and suffered from high levels of burnout. 'Some, I suppose, might regard this as a 'woke' topic. It is not,' Beasley said. 'Workforce stress, fatigue, and burnout are serious issues, and particularly so in a public health system. 'It is not the task of this special commission to determine pay rates or other award conditions for workers in the NSW Health system. It is a fact, though, that many no longer share income parity with their counterparts in other states.' But the commission outlined a scaffold for an award reform process conducted by the Industrial Relations Commission, which the Health Services Union has welcomed. The Special Commission of Inquiry was an election promise by the Minns government in response to the HSU's calls for a royal commission-style inquiry into the sustainability of the NSW Healthcare system. Health Minister Ryan Park said the government will consider the findings. 'The NSW health system is one of the highest performing in the world, supported by the most talented and dedicated clinicians and workers,' Park said. 'It doesn't mean that we don't have our challenges, and it doesn't mean we can't find more ways to improve.' Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said NSW had the opportunity to fundamentally shift the healthcare system 'from costly emergency and surgical intervention to allied and preventative care [which] will save money and improve people's health, which is not only good for individuals but the wider community'. NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce welcomed Beasley's characterisation of the health workforce as 'NSW Health's greatest asset', and acknowledged 'the longstanding recruitment issues, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas'.
