Monthly Archives: February 2009

Will the public interest go missing in forthcoming health debate?

February 12, 2009 – 5:11 pm

The interim report of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission is due to be released on Monday. NHHRC Chair, Dr Christine Bennett, will address the National Press Club in Canberra from 12.30pm.
Who says what about the report will be interesting – if only for the insights these comments will yield about the health system [...]

By Croakey | Posted in Health inequalities, Hospitals, Indigenous health, health reform, poverty, rural and remote health | Tagged , , , | Comments (3)

Reporting on bushfires and other trauma is a health issue…for all concerned

February 11, 2009 – 9:37 am

In the past few days, I’ve swung between devouring stories of bushfire trauma and turning away from them, unable to bear any more. I read not only because I want to know but because I feel I ought to.
There is a duty to attempt to understand something of what people are experiencing and suffering. I [...]

By Croakey | Posted in Media-related issues, mental health, trauma | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Jade, the fat girl of recent headlines, does not exist. As such.

February 3, 2009 – 5:36 pm

An astute Crikey reader today pointed out an error in a Sydney Morning Herald report of this Medical Journal of Australia article about the child protection issues surrounding severely obese children.
The SMH story described how the case of four-year-old Jade was reported to DOCS because of concerns about her parents’ unwillingness to do anything about [...]

By Croakey | Posted in Media-related issues, obesity | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

A pressing question about private health care

February 3, 2009 – 10:23 am

Mark Ragg, whose recent report, Fine, but not fair, has generated some interesting debate about health inequalities, has a question for readers:
“Thanks all who provided comment. I accept both bouquets for presentation and brickbats for not digging deeply enough. I’d like to point out, as a meager defence, that I was well aware of the [...]

By Croakey | Posted in Health inequalities, private health insurance | Tagged , , | Comments (6)

We need a fairer health system says public hospitals boss

February 3, 2009 – 10:11 am

Prue Power, Executive Director, Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association, adds to the debate about health inequalities:
“As the peak national body for public health services, including public hospitals, the AHHA has a strong commitment to equity within our health system.
While Australia’s health system performs well compared with many other countries, in terms of equity of access, [...]

By Croakey | Posted in Health inequalities, Hospitals, Indigenous health, dental care, health reform, rural and remote health | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Private health insurance incentives widening the health gap

February 3, 2009 – 10:01 am

Catherine Beadnell, editor of the Australian Nursing Journal, adds to the ongoing Croakey debate about the unfairness built into the Australian health system:
“In response to Mark Ragg’s column I think the system is unfair and the Howard Government’s efforts to reduce the Medicare burden on Treasury by propping up private health insurance has led to [...]

By Croakey | Posted in Health inequalities, cancer, health reform, private health insurance | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

The liver cleansing web of regulatory questions

February 1, 2009 – 11:32 am

Dr Ken Harvey, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Public Health, La Trobe University, would like some questions answered about the promotion of complementary medicines on the web:
“The Australian has reported my complaints to authorities over the promotion of complementary medicines on “liverdoctor.com” by Dr Sandra Cabot; real name Dr Sandra McRae, a NSW registered [...]

By Croakey | Posted in complementary medicines, consumer health information, health regulation | Tagged , , , , | Comments (5)