17-Nov-15 A recent OECD report reveals the Australian healthcare system lags behind others including the US and UK. Although Australians have the fourth-lowest smoking rate of 13% and a heart disease rate below average, the sharing of responsibilities between state and federal governments has led to a broken system. The use of technology is “slow and disappointing” said the OECD. [image: Healthcare Global]

16-Nov-15 An OECD review of Australia's health system said that it was performing "remarkably well" despite its "fragmented nature" and the "sometimes strained" relationship between federal, state and territory governments over health funding. While Australia had improved its standards, it also mentioned: "A surprising lack of data on the quality and outcomes of care." [image: Merimbula News]

08-Oct-15 Telstra Health is set to acquire Silver Chain Group's technology arm EOS Technologies, developer of the ComCare community care management system. EOS Technologies will be integrated into Telstra’s HealthConnex business. "[This] will allow us to provide the best community care and residential aged care eHealth platform in Australia,” said Head of Provider Applications Michael Boyce. [image: HealthConnex]

10-Sep-15 Queensland has seen a 42% increase in outpatient telehealth services in the 2015 financial year, while inpatient consultations doubled off a low base. Oncology consultations led outpatient services provided, while geriatric and general medical/surgical consultations saw the most growth for inpatient telehealth. Queensland has over 3,000 systems in over 200 hospitals and clinics. [image: Pulse + IT]

01-Oct-15 The Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (AHHA) is calling on the Commonwealth Government to collect and provide more timely and local health data, and to keep affordability and access to primary health care in mind as it makes changes to the health care system. [image: Univerity of Queensland].