News Articles for AMA WA

Amid major national policy changes and a struggling system facing rising pressures, leaders in aged care came together to address the future of the sector.

A WA nursing school has welcomed its first set of graduates and is gearing up to expand its student pool.

Payroll tax relief has unsurprisingly topped the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA's state budget wish-list, ahead of the state's unveiling of its 2024-25 books on Thursday.

A rollcall of peak Western Australian industry groups is urging WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti to take a razor to payroll tax in this year's state budget to help businesses struggling to cope with escalating costs.

WA's peak medical body has called for a major rethink on the proposed Women and Babies Hospital, saying it needs to be co-located with adult and children's hospitals.

The state government plans to reduce waiting times in emergency departments by introducing targets described as “stretched but realistic” in a bid to ease pressure on the health system.

More than 1,000 nurses assembled at the steps of parliament today, defying the industrial umpire's orders in search of a bigger pay rise.

Nurses have received public support from a major ally ahead of tomorrow's strike, while the opposition has called for unions to respect the industrial umpire's orders.

Health Minister Mark Butler has ordered his department to examine claims the Medicare system was being rorted by billions of dollars each year.

HBF's point man on health sat down with Business News last month to talk about national expansion, the pandemic, and the pressures coming to bear on Australia's health insurance market.

Conflagrating ambulance ramping with the Omicron surge seems like a search for political cover.

HIF members will be able to access RATs at a discounted price following a partnership struck between the health insurer and the state's branch of the Australian Medical Association.

For most Western Australians, learning to live with COVID-19 will mean looking to the eastern states, if not the rest of the world, for direction.

WA's health budget has tripled during the past 15 years, but there are concerns about patient outcomes amid workforce, bureaucracy and governance pressures.

A cashed-up Western Australian government faces spending pressures across the board as Premier Mark McGowan prepares to deliver a record budget surplus.

The state government announced it will employ another 170 graduate nurses in COVID-response roles, the same day new figures laid bare the strain on Perth's biggest hospitals.

Western Australia's capacity to handle a COVID-19 outbreak is being questioned as the state again postpones hundreds of elective surgeries.

Emergency Pfizer vaccine supplies will not be rushed to Sydney's coronavirus hot spots from other states despite new cases peaking in its latest outbreak.

Doctors have urged Australia's expert vaccine panel to recommend the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine be used in wider age groups.

Australians under 40 will not be eligible for Pfizer coronavirus jabs ahead of schedule despite increasing hospitalisations of younger people.

Increasing social stigmas could mean the end of beer and betting advertisements in sport.

Doctors are urging people aged under 60 to wait for the Pfizer vaccine, despite a surprise announcement from the prime minister that any adult who wants the AstraZeneca jab can have it.

Doctors have been blindsided by a major change to the vaccine rollout, with all Australians aged under 40 now able to request the AstraZeneca jab from their GP.

Doctors have thrown their support behind linking vaccine certificates to greater freedoms in a bid to drive up jab rates.

Patients in Western Australia's badly overcrowded public hospitals are having surgeries postponed as the system grapples with "unprecedented" demand.

Tensions within WA's health system are set to be addressed when doctors and nurses rally outside Perth Children's Hospital.

Scott Morrison faces stiff opposition on plans to allow vaccinated Australians to travel between states in the event of coronavirus lockdowns.

The Australian Medical Association and Australian Nurses Federation are planning a rally outside Perth Children's Hospital to address "systemic problems".

Premier Mark McGowan has called for an easing of hostilities between health unions and executives as the fallout continues over the death of Aishwarya Aswath.

Western Australian doctors and nurses have expressed disgust over the referral of junior staff at Perth Children's Hospital to the medical watchdog.

Older Australians will be encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 under a new campaign to be launched within weeks.

Where will dozens of departing members of state parliament find themselves in the months ahead?

Pressure continues to mount for Roger Cook with both the state opposition and the AMA today calling for him to resign as health minister.

Scott Morrison is refusing to back down from the India travel ban despite a torrent of criticism from high-profile figures and within conservative ranks.

All direct passenger flights into Australia from India are being suspended until May 15 as the South Asian nation deals with an escalating coronavirus catastrophe.

UPDATE: Australians over the age of 50 will be able to get the AstraZeneca vaccine from next month as the nation's leaders reset the coronavirus jab rollout.

Australia's health experts say even with the proposed reset of the COVID-19 vaccination program there is no way of putting a timetable on its completion.

Top doctors have raised serious concerns about Australia's vaccine rollout as major airlines talk up the prospects of more domestic flights and the reopening of international routes.

Australian officials have welcomed the European medical regulator giving the AstraZeneca vaccine the green light.

More stranded Australians will soon be able to return each fortnight with a quarantine facility in the Top End given the-all clear to increase its capacity.