Health Policy

Luke Bantoft has survived melioidosis but the experience has left him "petrified" of returning to his home where he believes he caught it. Experts say the source of the outbreak could be the Bruce Highway upgrade.

Doctors raise concerns over calls to extend a Victorian pilot program that allows patients to skip the GP and head straight to the pharmacy for some treatments.

Australian farmers say they have the capacity to supply the nation's medicinal cannabis needs, but the federal government is over-reliant on imports from countries with fewer restrictions — raising threats to jobs and quality assurance.

Labor and the Coalition are promising to spend big to help households deal with the cost of living. Here's what you need to know.

Two thirds of Australian dental practitioners recently surveyed support expanding Medicare to include subsidised dental services, with many reporting patients are struggling to afford oral health care.

Donna Edwards is so close to fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a qualified psychologist, but says limited postgraduate course availability means it's "almost impossible" to reach the finish line.

Tensions are high in the NSW seat of Richmond, where nurses desperate for better pay say they are under pressure from their former allies for handing out Greens flyers.

Sniffer dogs will patrol another Sydney music festival where pill testing is set to be trialled this weekend, with the Minns government so far refusing to act on a key recommendation of its drug summit.

Melioidosis claims another two lives in Queensland, bringing the state's death toll to 28 from more than 200 infections following record wet weather. 

I've seen the future of an important part of Australia's healthcare system — a private hospital owned by a health insurance company. 

The $200 million election commitment rebrands and expands an existing health hotline.

Brooke Bottrell has been fairly tuned out this federal election as she tries to find mental health support for her kids. She says access to mental health care is an issue both sides of politics need to address.

Data suggests the signature policy, adopted by both major parties, of bulk-billing 9 out of 10 appointments by 2030 could fail.

The review into the Queensland hospital expansion program reveals that the delivery of hundreds of public hospital beds will have to go back to the drawing board.

Just like Oprah's iconic "you get a car" moment, Labor is throwing urgent care clinics to punters like confetti.

The government and opposition promise more bulk billing, while the Greens want dental health to be part of Medicare.

Queensland's new government has announced it will overhaul the state's hospital expansion plan, promising to deliver 2,600 beds. But it won't yet reveal the cost or time frame.

Time and time again, the Coalition has been forced to deny claims about plans to privatise Australia's healthcare system.

Lucy Savage has to drive 450 kilometres multiple times a month to access specialised care — a reality for many women living with endometriosis and chronic gynaecological conditions around the country.

A report by the NSW auditor-general reveals the hospital was not effectively delivering the best health services and clinical outcomes for the community.