08-Jun-16 A new global survey of patients and doctors by Philips shows that emerging economies are poised to adopt new technology, led by UAE and China. Australia comes in 4th and the US 6th. At the bottom of the report is Japan, where strict regulation and a lack of oversight have made the healthcare system less efficient. [image: UIG / Getty Images]

26-May-16 Telstra has been awarded a lucrative Australian Federal Government contract to build and operate a National Cancer Screening Register, but health and privacy experts are concerned about the security of the data. Managing director of Telstra Health Shane Solomon said that the organisation would be using four recently acquired health businesses to build and administer the register. [image: Joel Carrett]

16-May-16 A group of specialist medicos is seeking to counter self-diagnosis and make tertiary medical services more available by providing consultations online. They have established Docto, Australia’s first telemedicine hospital, and have plans to take the business global. The venture has recruited some 50 specialists to its cause and has an agreement with specialist underwriting agency AHI. [image: Gold Coast Bulletin]

13-May-16 Pharmacy customers in Australia can now access a GP from their local community pharmacy. ReadyCare is a telemedicine service where customers can talk to a doctor by phone or video 24/7. It is about community pharmacies facilitating access to a quality telemedicine service at times and in areas where a patient’s access to local GP services are limited. [image: AJP Online]

11-May-16 The ACT Government has introduced a number of reforms to Canberra Hospital's emergency department in a bid to increase its efficiency and reduce wait times. The Government has outlined six projects to improve the department, including new specialised staff positions to streamline work flow, a medical engagement strategy, and a committee to identify and manage long-stay patients. [image: ABC News / Penny Travers]