Category: Patients

Australia’s most authoritative healthcare data report published

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The increased uptake of manipulation during birth and a much higher restraint rate for mental health patients indicates changes in health care provision in these two key health areas.

The latest healthcare trends across 20 sets of key clinical indicators have been reported in the new Australasian Clinical Indicator Report 2011 – 2018 (20th edition), or ‘the ACIR’ published today by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).

As Australia’s most statistically-detailed, national report on the performance of 656 healthcare organisations (HCOs) the ACIR covers an eight-year period and gives a comprehensive statistical overview of the results for each clinical indicator (CI) set. This assists health care services to understand their own level of performance within a national context.

The ACIR remains the longest-run indicator set in the world, consistently capturing data and measured trends over 26 years.

Key improvements reported include:

  • In 2018, there were 104 CIs (a 20% increase) which showed statistically significant positive trends. Of these, 63 remained significant after allowing for changes in the composition of HCOs contributing. There were eight CI sets that had an improvement in at least two-thirds of all trended CIs. They were; Anaesthesia and Perioperative Care, Day Patient, Emergency Medicine, Gynaecology, Infection Control, Intensive Care, Paediatrics and Rehabilitation

Notable deteriorations where the potential to make improvements exist included:

  • In 2018, there were 40 CIs which showed statistically significant trends in a negative direction. Of these, 18 remained significant after allowing for changes in contributing HCOs including:
    • Gastrointestinal Endoscopy – the rate of patients transferred or admitted for an overnight stay due to aspiration has deteriorated from 0.022 to 0.035 per 100 patients since
    • Maternity – the rate of selected primipara (women who give birth once) with intact perineum has decreased from 19.7 to 10.9 per 100
    • Mental Health – the rate of physical restraint has increased nearly threefold from 1.3 to 5.6, a change of 4.2 per 100 completed

ACHS President, Professor Len Notaras AM said that the value of the overall data increases each year. “We are fortunate to have this asset which builds a clear understanding of where clinical improvements as well as deteriorations are occurring.”

“It provides an immense opportunity for health care services to assess their own performance and compare how they are performing at a national level with their peers,” he said.

“There is no other comparable dataset in the world which has the statistical depth of more than a quarter of a century to it. ACHS continues to invest in the most authoritative report on performance achieved up to 2018 for the health services with nearly 29,000 data submissions.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

World AIDS Day, 1 December 2019 – More support for Australians living with HIV

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is a day for people to show their support for people living with HIV and to remember and honour those who we have lost.

In the 2019–20 Budget, the Morrison Government invested $45.4 million to implement Australia’s five National Blood-Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Strategies.

These strategies will make a deep and profound difference in reducing the health impacts and stigma of BBV and STI, including HIV.

Today, I am pleased to announce that our Government will provide additional, ongoing support for people with HIV and other BBV and STI’s by extending funding to six national peak organisations, providing almost $3 million for 2020-21.

In addition, from 1 December 2019, Australians living with HIV will save more than $8,500 a year with the listing of a new combination medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

It is estimated that 850 Australians with HIV will benefit from the listing of Dovato® (dolutegravir with lamivudine) on the PBS, which will provide more choice for them in how they can manage their HIV.

Effective once daily treatments such as Dovato and other new medicines can control the virus so that people living with HIV can enjoy long, healthy and productive lives.

With the PBS subsidy, people living with HIV will pay just $40.30 per script, or $6.50 with a concession card for Dovato®.

Australia continues to be a world leader in the response to HIV. The number of new HIV diagnoses today is at its lowest in nearly 20 years.

Our success is built on a model of partnership between government, people living with HIV, community based organisations, health professionals and researchers.

We are seeing more people tested for HIV and initiating treatment for HIV. There are also more people living with a suppressed viral load. In addition, improved access to HIV prevention methods, including the PBS-listed pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), helps reduce the number of new HIV diagnoses.

We are also looking to address stigma and discrimination.

The Eighth National HIV Strategy 2018-22, guides our partnership approach over the next four years to virtual elimination of HIV transmission by 2022.

We aim to be one of the first countries in the world to eliminate new HIV transmissions.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4221″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hon. Greg Hunt MP is the Minister for Health, the Minster Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Cabinet, and the Federal Member for Flinders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Corporate Health Insurers Cry Poor – Government Not Buying It

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Following yet another anticipated move by private health insurers to, again, increase premiums on hard working Australian families, the Federal Government has rebuffed the call in its strongest terms yet.

The Government has announced it will place the consumer at the forefront of its plans to lower the cost of private health insurance and stem the avalanche of Australian families leaving their private health policies.

The announcement comes as the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported the results of a YouGov poll  of 1000 people which suggested that “three-quarters of Australians want the minister to ‘force private health insurers to use some of their $1 billion in profits to keep premium increases under 3 percent next year.’”

The lobby group representing the corporate insurers, Private Healthcare Australia (PHA), told the SMH private health insurers were battling rising costs that were squeezing its profit margins – with some funds in “negative territory” – making the minster’s request for a 3 percent rise “incredibly challenging”.

The PHA has been quick in its attempts to shift blame by attacking other industries, including medical devices companies, despite millions of dollars in savings being delivered by devices companies to corporate insurers through its landmark ‘agreement’ with the Federal Government.

Since 2016, the agreement has delivered price cuts to thousands of implants like heart pacemakers, knees, hips and eye lenses to corporate insurers.

However, despite these savings, the Big 3 corporate health insurers – Medibank, Bupa and NIB – have continued to raise their premiums at twice the rate of inflation over the same period, and rake in profits of nearly $1 billion between them.

Last week PulseLine published a story covering the medical device industry’s calls to reject ‘Big 3’ health fund increases over 3 percent, following the release of data from Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Federal legislation requires corporate health insurers to submit their premium increases in November each year for APRA. The legislation also gives the government the power to reject premium increases that are not in the “public interest”.

Medical Technology Association of Australia CEO, Ian Burgess, said “any attempt by insurers to claim premiums should rise by over 3 percent next year – twice the rate of inflation – is a sham and a scam”.

“It’s in the public interest for APRA to ensure the Big 3 health insurers pass on every cent of these medical devices saving to their customers through lower premiums as promised – and throw every book available at them if they don’t.” Mr Burgess said.

Minster Hunt has written to the 20 corporate health insurers rejecting their increase request, and also rejected their claim they couldn’t afford to no increase premiums on Australian families by an average of 3 percent.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

$55 Million Investment To Give New Hope To Australians Living With Rare Cancers

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Through its landmark Medical Research Future Fund, the Federal Government is investing $55 million to research rare cancers and diseases.

Under the round, the Government is inviting Australia’s best and brightest researchers to apply for grant opportunities. The unprecedented clinical trials activity is aimed at developing new drugs, devices and treatments, and ultimately saving lives.

Of the $55 million:

  • $15 million is for research into reproductive cancers, including cancers located in the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, endometrium or ovaries in women, and cancer of the testicles in in men.
  • $5 million is for Childhood Brain Cancer clinical trials, with an aim to double the 10- year survival rate of childhood brain cancer, improve the quality of life of children living with brain cancer, and ultimately find a cure to defeat childhood brain cancer.
  • $20 million will address an increasingly significant burden of neurological disorders including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, spinal cord injuries and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • $15 million will address other significant gaps in current research and/or knowledge in rare cancers, rare diseases and areas of unmet medical need.

In Australia, it is estimated more than 40,000 Australians are diagnosed with a rare or less common form of cancer. For many, there is a lack of evidence-based information to inform treatment options and support networks.

While survival rates for high incidence cancers have improved, those for rare cancers have remained relatively static.

People living with a rare disease face significant challenges including diagnostic delays, lack of available treatments and difficulty in finding the appropriate care.

For more information on the grant round, including application dates and criteria, go to GrantConnect at www.grants.gov.au[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New Medicare Rebates for PET Scans for Breast Cancer

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From 1 November 2019, the new Medicare rebates will ensure patients with advanced breast cancer can better manage and plan their treatment.

Around 12,000 patients will benefit from these services each year.

In 2019, the estimated number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed will be greater than 19,300 and more than 3,000 women are expected to die from the disease.

Enormous strides in medical research, diagnosis, treatment and care means the chance of surviving at least five years is now 91 per cent.

The listing of the whole body 18F-FDG2 PET scan for the evaluation of breast cancer boosts efforts to improve the health outcomes for breast cancer patients.

With the Medicare subsidy, the PET scans – a minimally invasive nuclear medicine imaging technique – will save women up to $1,000 per scan.

The new services are:

  • Whole body PET performed for the staging of locally advanced (Stage III) breast cancer (Item 61524)
  • Whole body PET performed for the evaluation of suspected metastatic, or suspected locally or regionally recurrent, breast carcinoma (Item 61525).

The independent expert Medical Services Advisory Committee recommended the listing of these new items.

The committee recommended the new services on the basis that they are comparatively safe, clinically appropriate and cost effective.

The Federal Government is strongly committed to reducing the toll of breast cancer on Australians and their families.

Early detection is key, and for many years now, Australian women aged between 50 and 74 have been invited to access free screening mammograms every two years via the BreastScreen Australia Program.

The Government has said that it is continuing to list the latest proven treatments for breast cancer on the PBS. In May, Ibrance® (palbociclib) was listed for patients with inoperable or metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer.

Around 3,000 women each year will benefit from this decision. Without the PBS subsidy, Ibrance would cost around $55,000 for a year’s treatment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Global Insights and Local Promise: Fresenius Medical Care’s annual medical report explores how Interconnected Intelligence is transforming healthcare

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The report also explores ways to apply insights gained in different markets on a global level, and how best practices can be adapted to specific market needs.

In addition to articulating experiences in dialysis care across diverse regions, the report delves deeper into several focus areas relevant to the healthcare industry and the evolution of kidney care:

  • Expanding home therapies to give dialysis patients more control of their lives and improve treatment outcomes.
  • Improving transplant access through open communication and collaboration among multiple stakeholders.
  • Embracing diversity and an interdisciplinary approach to improve value-based care in kidney disease.
  • Developing predictive models to identify dialysis clinics that are encountering problems or in need of additional support, and,
  • Clarifying and explaining the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Dr. Frank Maddux, Global Chief Medical Officer of Fresenius Medical Care, said: “Interconnected thinking is central to our way of working at Fresenius Medical Care and it demonstrates our commitment to making a difference in the lives of patients. The people of Fresenius Medical Care, all around the world, have always been our greatest asset. Harnessing the full potential of their interconnected intelligence can boost innovation, advance medical progress, develop better therapies, and help drive the transformation of healthcare systems worldwide.”

Download the full report at: https://www.freseniusmedicalcare.com/en/about-us/responsibility/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS VALUE OF ACCESSING CATARACT TREATMENT THROUGH THE PROSTHESES LIST

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Cataracts and glaucoma impose a substantial burden on hundreds of thousands of Australians through reduced vision, leading to lower quality of life, greater health system expenditure, productivity losses, informal care costs, and reliance on aids and modifications.

“Our report found that access to intraocular lenses through the Prostheses List saved government, patients and society $371m in 2017-2018,” said Lynne Pezzullo, Partner at Deloitte Access Economics, today.

“If all cataract surgery was completed in the private sector, additional savings to Government would be $162m. For each additional surgery that shifted to the private sector, individuals would save $836 and Government would save $1,885 per procedure,” Ms Pezzullo said.

Privately insured patients have access to a broad choice of medical devices through the PL, which is a key component of the value proposition of private health insurance.

“Timely access to cost effective private ophthalmic surgeries through the Prostheses List reduces the economic burden of ophthalmic conditions and gives patients greater choice of ophthalmic devices,” said Ian Burgess, MTAA CEO, today.

“The devices industry was the sole contributor to lower private health insurance premium increases both in 2017 and in 2018. MTAA’s Agreement with the Government is on track to exceed $1.1 billion in expected savings, however, further cuts to the Prostheses List could erode these benefits.

“Further cuts to incentives for private ophthalmic treatment could drive more patients into the public system, putting greater pressure on an already over-burdened system,” Mr Burgess said.

A reduction in revenue may also reduce the ability of niche technology providers to bring new products to the market.

“The medical technology industry believes access to a full range of medical technology is one of the key benefits of having private health insurance and we’re committed to helping ensure all Australians lead healthier and more productive lives,” Mr Burgess concluded.

$8 million for ground-breaking clinical trials

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Five Australian-led trials will receive funding from the Government’s Medical Research Future Fund International Clinical Trial Collaborations program.

Researchers at the University of Western Australia will receive $1.8 million to investigate the best approach for treating severe narrowing of the aortic heart valve (aortic stenosis), which is a very common condition.

This large clinical trial will test if earlier valve replacement will improve outcomes for patients.

Macquarie University has received $3.1 million to investigate reducing the risk of dementia by protecting brain health through lifestyle changes.

The George Institute for Global Health will receive $902,000 to evaluate the best treatments for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a burst artery in the brain.

In people aged between 40 and 60 years with this condition, nearly half will die and a third will suffer permanent disability. The clinical trial will help doctors better manage patients with this condition.

The University of Newcastle will receive $782,000 to trial the use a new type of wound dressing on patients to reduce infections following emergency abdominal surgery.

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will receive $1.4 million to investigate the best ways to support fragile lungs in preterm babies, which are prone to collapse and cause injury from the first time they breathe.

While positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at birth is essential to support the preterm lung, this project will conduct the first large clinical trial of PEEP strategies in preterm infants.

This clinical trial will provide important guidance to clinicians across all health care settings worldwide.

Each project will run at least one clinical trial site in Australia with Australian patients, while collaborating with international researchers or trial teams.

The International Clinical Trial Collaborations program supports Australian researchers, to collaborate globally to develop new or novel drug applications, devices and treatments.
The $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund is an endowment to provide a sustainable source of funding for vital medical research.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Informed Financial Consent Guide launched

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The AMA’s Informed Financial Consent Guide, a collaboration between doctors and patients, is aimed at helping patients better understand medical treatment fees and out of pocket costs.

The Guide will be made available from doctors, medical practices and organisations, and the AMA website.

Providing an estimate of fees and the costs payable by a patient after any government and health insurer rebates is the foundation for informed financial consent. Most doctors do it well already.

The new Guide will complement the Federal Government’s activities to provide improved medical specialists’ costs transparency, to make our system more effective and sustainable.

The Government announced that the improved transparency will help people choose the right specialist, taking cost into account without waiting for an appointment when they may feel locked in regardless of cost.

The Government’s out-of-pocket costs transparency website is being developed in consultation with consumers, medical professionals and insurers to make sure it includes appropriate information and features to assist and support consumers about decisions on their health care.

The website is expected to incorporate MBS benefits and information about insurer gap payment arrangements, in addition to the doctor’s maximum fee and the most common out-of-pocket costs for a treatment.