Cash-strapped Aussies skipping the GP

This LaTrobe University news release looks at the Professional Certificate in Rural Nursing Practice, including it's 5 micro-credentials. It encourages Registered Nurses to enrol and take advantage of the free and discounted places available for commencement in 2024.

The Final Report from the Kruk Review, led by Ms Robyn Kruk AO, makes 28 recommendations designed to ease skills shortages in critical health professions and reform Australia's regulatory settings for overseas trained health practitioners and international students who have studied in Australia. The review recommends simplifying and streamlining application processes, including qualification recognition and comparability assessments, among other reforms.

The Dept of Health and Aged Care releases quarterly Medicare statistics in an accessible infographic format - the Jul-Sep YTD 2023 period saw slight decreases in Medicare and Bulk Billed Services compared to last year, with the National Bulk Billing Rate decreased from 78.1% to 74.5%. Despite this, total benefits paid increased, while the Average (out-of-hospital) Patient Contribution was less than last year at $72.64, compared to $72.87 in 2022.

The House of Representatives Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services, first established in August 2022, has released its final report called ‘Rebuilding Employment Services’ - published November 2023. It provides 75 recommendations to improve the government’s employment services system so that it better supports jobseekers and employers at the local, regional and national level.