All health services must be accessible to all consumers. Those consumers who are forced to travel long distances for health care must be adequately catered for. There should be more community participation in health and community service. There is a need for adequate representation at local and regional health services. CPSA opposes a two-tier system of health care and the privatisation of health services.
Read CPSA's full health policy here
PALLIATIVE care (care for people with a terminal illness) is cheaper than hospital care, has been shown to provide better quality of life for people who are dying, and is what most dying people want.
WE ALL hope to make our own decisions about our lives. But illness or accidents can mean that we may need to rely on other people to make decisions about our welfare, finances or medical treatment.
Read more: Don’t wait until it’s too late! The importance of planning for later life
AUSTRALIA’S new personal electronic health record system (eHealth record) has begun. Since July people have been able to register for an eHealth record.
Last month CPSA discussed how Medicare missed an opportunity to remove an obstacle faced by many pensioners who simply don’t have the cash to pay the full medical fee upfront before getting a partial refund from Medicare.
THE HOTLINE established for consumers concerned about being placed in a mixed gender hospital ward has been abolished, after receiving only 55 calls since it was established in 2010.
Read more: Single gender ward hotline abolished but policy still “a priority”