Media Hub

September 2009

30 September 2009

Free Pandemic Flu Vaccine Available For All

From 30 September, Australia will embark on what is potentially the biggest vaccination program in its history, offering free pandemic (swine flu) vaccine to every person in the country.

30 September 2009

AIHW Reports Health Funding Rise Under Rudd Government

The Australian Government’s share of total health funding increased from 42.0% in 2006-07 to 43.2% in 2007-08.

29 September 2009

Minister Consults on Dental Reform

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, visited The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne to discuss recommendations from the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission with dental health professionals.

28 September 2009

Opening the PHA Annual Conference - 28 September 2009

27 September 2009

World Heart Day

This year’s World Heart Day theme is ‘A workplace that encourages healthy habits can reduce heart disease and stroke’.

24 September 2009

New Influenza Testing Equipment for all States and Territories

The Australian Government will provide $1.4 million in funding to the National Influenza Centres and other public health laboratories to purchase automated influenza testing equipment. Every state and territory will receive funding as part of this initiative.

23 September 2009

Construction begins on the new Australian Red Cross Blood Service Facility

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) marked a new era in Australian blood production, with the commencement of construction of their new principal blood manufacturing site in Sydney.

23 September 2009

Minister Roxon speech at MTAA Annual Conference, Sydney

21 September 2009

$70M to boost Cancer Survival for Thousands

The Garvan St Vincent’s Cancer Centre has benefited from $70 million from the Australian Government to expand its world-class research capacity.

18 September 2009

TGA Green Lights Pandemic Flu Vaccine

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has announced it will register the CSL pandemic influenza (swine flu) vaccine, paving the way for a national vaccination program.

18 September 2009

Closing the Gap - Indigenous Health Project Officers in Divisions of General Practice

The Australian Government has provided $34.7 million over three years to fund 94 full-time equivalent new Indigenous Health Project Officer positions as a part of the COAG National Partnership Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes.

18 September 2009

Australia Joins International Efforts to Assist Swine Flu Vaccine Rollout in Developing Countries

Australia has joined a group of nations that have commitedt to support the rollout of H1N1 vaccine to needy groups in developing countries.

16 September 2009

New operating theatres for Canberra hospital

The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon and ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher today officially opened two new operating theatres at the Canberra Hospital.

16 September 2009

Extended Medicare Safety Net Measure

Medicare Safety Net changes were passed in the Senate on 16 September.

15 September 2009

Building First Class Facilities for Royal Brisbane

Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has inspected the construction site for two new operating theatres at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

14 September 2009

Bacchus Marsh and Melton Hospital Upgrade: A Big Win for a Growing Community

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and the Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, have toured the $2 million upgrade to the Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital and opened the new Medical Imaging Unit at the hospital.

14 September 2009

Australia's First GP Super Clinic Opens in Ballan

Australia’s first fully operational GP Super Clinic has opened in Ballan, Victoria.

11 September 2009

Building Australia's world-class cancer care system

On 11 September, the Prime Minister and the Health Minister were in Sydney to sign the funding agreement to deliver $150 million for Lifehouse at RPA: The Chris O’Brien Cancer Centre.

11 September 2009

RACGP Launches Guidelines — Management of Arthritis

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has launched three comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for better management of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

10 September 2009

World Suicide Prevention Day

Today (10 September) is World Suicide Prevention Day, a day that is about bringing together governments, communities and individuals to raise awareness and reducing the incidence of suicide in Australia.

09 September 2009

$3.2M Boost for Palliative and Geriatric Care at Calvary

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has visited Calvary Hospital which has benefited from $3.2 million to boost services.

08 September 2009

Government Finalises Detail on EMSN items and CAPS

Regulations to finalise the remaining detail of the Australian Government's move to put the extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) on a more sustainable footing have been tabled in Parliament.

08 September 2009

GP Super Clinic for Midland

The Australian Government has signed an agreement with Health Integra Pty Ltd to provide $10 million to establish a GP Super Clinic in Midland, Western Australia.

07 September 2009

Government Releases Breast Screening Report

The Australian Government has released an expert committee’s evaluation of the BreastScreen Australia program and said that the valuable program will continue.

07 September 2009

Minister Speaks with Tomorrow’s Health Leaders

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, opened the Australian Medical Students’ Association’s leadership development seminar in Canberra.

06 September 2009

National Project to Manage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The Australian Government is allocating more than $1 million to manage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, one of the most common complaints faced by women of reproductive age in Australia.

04 September 2009

Press Conference - Health Minister’s meeting, health and hospital reform, homebirths, swine flu, IVF

04 September 2009

Medicare-Eligibility Granted to MRI Unit at Rockhampton Hospital

People in Rockhampton and surrounding areas now have access to Medicare-eligible Magnetic Resonance Imaging services at Rockhampton Hospital.

04 September 2009

Australian Lactation Consultants Association National Conference

03 September 2009

Healthy Eating is Back on the Table

The Australian Government is looking for schools to get on board for the next round of the innovative Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program.

03 September 2009

Royal College of Nursing 2009 Annual Conference

02 September 2009

Important Role for Pharmacists in Health Reform

Nicola Roxon has launched the Pharmacy Guild’s ‘Ask Your Pharmacist Week’.

01 September 2009

Launch of the Preventative Health Taskforce Report

01 September 2009

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month - A Perfect Time for Men to Talk to their GP

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month and it is a perfect time to remind men with symptoms or a family history of prostate cancer to discuss any concerns they may have with their doctor.

01 September 2009

Medicare Funded Scans for Oesophageal Cancer and for Head Cancer and Neck Cancer

From 1 September, Positron Emission Tomography scans for cancer of the oesophagus or the gastro-oesophageal junction, and for head and neck cancer will be funded under Medicare.

01 September 2009

New Listings and a Change to PBS from 1 September

Several new listings and a change to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 September will bring health benefits to many Australians.

01 September 2009

Australians Benefit From Health Agreement with Belgium

The Australian Government has begin a reciprocal health agreement with Belgium, allowing Australians and Belgians to use each others’ public health facilities while travelling in the two countries.

01 September 2009

Release of Preventative Health Taskforce Final Report

The final report of the Preventative Health Taskforce was released on 1 September at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.