Report finds excessive medical fees prohibit patients accessing specialist care

Report finds excessive medical fees prohibit patients accessing specialist care
Published 16 June 2025, 8:21 am
Cost barriers are preventing millions of Australians from receiving specialist care. That is based on a Grattan institute report shining a light-on the extreme fees being charged. While the public system provides the majority of care in some specialties, it accounts for only a fraction in others.

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7NEWS

2 hours ago

• 7NEWS

Social media ban for children is ‘destined to fail' unless parents address their own smart phone addiction, pyschologist warns

Australia is just six months away from bringing in a world-leading law to ban children under 16 from social media but experts say more needs to be done before it comes into effect. Psychologist Danielle Einstein, who briefed the draft legislation for the ban, was on Weekend Sunrise on Saturday to address how it could work. Previously Einstein warned the ban would 'fail miserably' unless the federal government tackles screen addiction first. 'We need a few different things. First of all, we need doctors and psychologists asking patients when they come in with mental health issues about their tech use,' she told Weekend Sunrise. 'It should just be part of normal conversation — 'let's have a look, how many hours were you on here?' 'It's a part of the way we are trying to handle ourselves, and if someone has anxiety and depression, and you miss it because it's not seen as alright to ask about it and the doctors are embarrassed or if the patient makes it seem as if it's not OK (for asking).' Einstein said she didn't mean doctors had to go into extreme detail of how a person uses social media and technology but said conversations around tech use needed to be a part of a 'digital health check' in the same way doctors use a suicide screening. She also said a big public health campaign would be needed to 'expose the addictive' nature of social media and the corresponding health effects it may have on Australians. 'Both students and parents may realise that this isn't actually healthy for them,' Einstein said. For parents wondering what to do now, before the ban is imposed, Einstein encouraged adults to lead by example and cut back on their own technology use. 'The most important thing a parent can do is model,' she said. 'Parents need to be aware of what we do when we walk into the house (or when) at the dinner table: 'Do I have a phone that's near me?'' Einstein said using phones during arguments between parents to show the other person they were wrong had also become common practice but this could be easily stopped if phones are put out of sight. Despite the potential difficulties with executing the ban, Einstein said the federal government's decision to prevent harm to young Australian's should be looked at as a 'tremendous success' as other countries look to follow our example. 'We are leading the world, and we should be very proud of that,' Einstein said. 'Around the world, we've seen people wake up and start to question tech use. 'In Spain, there are paediatric guidelines coming out to show children from zero to six shouldn't have technology, aside for supervised use.' The social media ban for children under 16 years old is expected to come into effect in December 2025. The ban was first announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year, who said he was 'calling time on it' due to a number of tragic deaths relating to bullying on social media. But there is yet no guarantee technologies aimed at blocking young kids from social media will always work, according to early trial results. While the early findings of a federal government-commissioned trial found age assurance technologies are available, there's no silver bullet. 'Age assurance can be done in Australia and can be private, robust and effective,' the report found. 'We found a plethora of approaches that fit use cases in different ways. 'But we did not find a single ubiquitous solution that would suit all use cases, nor did we find solutions that were guaranteed to be effective in all deployments.' Under the social media ban, platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from creating new accounts and could face millions in fines for systemic breaches of the new rules. Cabinet minister Murray Watt maintained the need for restrictions around social media. 'The Australian people believe that we do need to see some restrictions around social media use when it comes to young people,' he told ABC News on Friday. 'Unfortunately, it has become an insidious force, both for young people and more widely.' Australia's ban is world-leading and, in the aftermath of the November passage of federal laws, other nations indicated a desire to emulate the measure. However, the legislation does not indicate how exactly the ban will be executed. The report found parental control and consent systems could be effective when first introduced. But there is 'limited evidence' that they would be effective as children grow up or allow kids the right to participate in the breadth of digital experiences. Even after the coalition helped secure an amendment to ensure Australians wouldn't have to provide any form of government identification to verify their age, the trial found there was a risk of privacy breaches. Some age assurance service providers had over-anticipated the needs of regulators and built tools that led to an 'unnecessary and disproportionate collection and retention of data'. Opposition communications spokeswoman Melissa McIntosh has urged Labor to confirm what technology or verification tools will be used to protect kids online. 'No more young lives can be lost or families destroyed because of the toxicity of social media,' she said in a statement. The Age Assurance Technology Trial's final report is expected to be published later in 2025.

News.com.au

3 hours ago

• News.com.au

The ultimate rebrand: How electrolytes became Australia's newest obsession

Electrolytes are having a moment in Australia – whether it's powders, ready-to-drink beverages or gummies – and it seems they're not just for athletes anymore. Walk into any supermarket, pharmacy, or gym, and you'll find hydration products promising to quench your thirst, boost your energy, and keep you focused. What was once a niche market for elite athletes has evolved into a trendy wellness phenomenon, with electrolytes now marketed as a daily staple to fitness and health-focused consumers. In 2022, the global demand for flavoured and functional water was valued at $50.3 billion (AUD $77.6 billion), a figure expected to nearly double by 2030. In Australia, the sports and energy drinks market, which includes electrolyte-enhanced beverages, is also booming. According to the IMARC Group, the market reached 133.5 million litres in 2024 and is projected to grow to 226.7 million litres by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 5.58 per cent. But what actually are electrolytes? And do we really need them as much as our favourite influencers espouse? What are electrolytes Electrolytes are essential substances that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water. They help your body regulate chemical reactions, maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside your cells, regulate nerve and muscle function and help maintain proper pH in the blood. Your body gets electrolytes from the foods you consume, with sodium, for example, found in table salt, or potassium in bananas. You can notice if you're low in electrolytes, as the symptoms will be similar to dehydration, including muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. You can lose electrolytes through excessive sweating, vomiting and diarrhoea. The benefits Dr Zac, a leading GP, explains that while water is essential for hydration, drinks with added electrolytes can be more effective at hydrating the body in certain contexts. 'Plain water is quickly absorbed and excreted, especially if you drink it on an empty stomach or when not dehydrated,' he tells 'But drinks with electrolytes – like oral rehydration solutions or sports drinks – help your body retain fluids longer. These electrolytes pull water into your cells and maintain a healthy balance in the blood, which can improve hydration efficiency.' He also emphasises the significance of osmolality, which refers to the concentration of particles, such as salts and sugars, in a solution. 'Drinks with slightly higher osmolality than blood plasma, such as oral rehydration solutions, stay in the body longer and hydrate more effectively,' he notes. For most people, however, water is enough for daily hydration. However, if you are sweating heavily or engaging in gruelling workouts, feeling unwell, or need to rehydrate efficiently, something with electrolytes and nutrients will 'outperform water' alone, he explained. The risks Despite their benefits, not everyone needs to supplement with electrolytes daily. Dr Zac points out, 'In most daily situations, water is enough'. Highly active people, those who sweat profusely, or people recovering from illness may benefit most from electrolyte replenishment. For the average person eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, nuts, leafy greens, and protein, and drinking plenty of water, additional electrolytes are likely unnecessary. There are also risks associated with overconsumption. Too much sodium, for example, can lead to high blood pressure in susceptible people. Excessive intake of certain electrolytes can also disrupt the body's delicate balance, leading to issues such as gastrointestinal upset, and impaired kidney function. As with any supplement, moderation is key. Choosing the right hydration product Mark Robinson, a sports dietitian for BSc, emphasises the importance of looking carefully at the ingredients of a hydration product, if you have identified yourself as someone who needs them. 'It's all about the total electrolyte count as well as the type of electrolytes', he says. 'You're looking for a combination of all five key sports minerals: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. Sodium is the most important one for rehydration, since this is what is mostly lost in sweat, which can lead to dehydration. A 2:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio is optimal.' Mr Robinson also recommends opting for low-sugar choices. 'The added sports minerals are what make these drinks more beneficial than water, as they replenish salts lost typically in sweat', he explains. 'But you don't want to undo the benefits by consuming excessive sugar.' Aussies lead the trend This advice aligns with market trends, as consumers are increasingly seeking out natural ingredient-based, low-sugar products with added functional ingredients. Aussie entrepreneurs Austin Xenos and Madison Verrocchi, co-founders of LVL UP, identified a gap in the market for a clean-ingredient hydration product that catered to a broader audience, not just elite athletes. 'We decided to launch LVL UP in 2023 after noticing a clear gap in the market for a functional but fun product – something you'd actually look forward to drinking, whether you're at the gym or recovering from a night out', the pair told The rise of health-conscious consumers has dramatically reshaped the hydration market in Australia. 'People now read ingredient labels and are more aware of how hydration impacts energy, focus, and recovery', they added. 'This shift is pushing brands to innovate, offering cleaner formulas, natural flavours, and more transparency. Consumers aren't just buying sports drinks anymore. They're choosing functional hydration solutions for all parts of their lives'. It's true that electrolyte drinks can make you feel more energised and focused – but they don't provide instant energy like caffeine. Rather, they help support your body's energy use more efficiently, especially during exercise. There are still misconceptions about these sorts of products, though. 'One big misconception is that hydration products are only for athletes,' they say. 'In reality, we lose electrolytes every day through excessive sweat, stress, or even just a busy lifestyle. 'Another is that all hydration products are full of sugar or artificial additives, which isn't always the case.' The founders note that LVL UP contains just 3.5 grams of glucose per sachet, which helps with electrolyte absorption. The future of the industry Looking ahead, the co-founders predict that the future of the industry is about 'multifunctional hydration'. 'People want products that do more. Hydration that supports focus, energy, immunity, or recovery', say the duo. 'Clean labels, convenience, and flavour will continue to drive decisions.' The bigger picture So why the sudden focus on electrolytes? Aside from the increased interest in health as a whole, some experts have noted that electrolytes are gaining popularity as they're a small, easy addition to daily life that requires minimal effort. 'People feel like they're doing something good for themselves without it feeling too expensive or complicated, which can be an issue with some supplements,' one dietitian told The Guardian. And others compare the boom to the protein movement seen in 2016. 'Suddenly, people had a much greater awareness of the benefits of getting enough protein in their diet and realised that the benefits go beyond what sportspeople need,' Joe Welstead, founder of electrolyte retailer, Oshun, said. 'It's a similar story with electrolytes: if you can get past going for caffeine first thing in the morning and focus on being properly hydrated instead, you're going to feel so much better.' The takeaway? If you are already eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and not sweating excessively, you can probably go about your life without worrying too much about extra electrolytes. But if you are sweating a lot – and, let's face it, you probably should be, at least occasionally – they are worth thinking about.

ABC News

4 hours ago

• ABC News

GPs will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD under Tasmanian Liberals' election pledge

Tasmanian Liberals have pledged to make it easier for Tasmanians to access attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and treatment by allowing GPs to undertake assessments. On Saturday morning, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced that if re-elected, the Liberals would expand Tasmanian GPs' scope of practice to enable them to diagnose, treat, and manage ADHD for both children and adults. Appearing alongside Mr Rockliff, Liberal Lyons candidate Steph Cameron, whose six-year-old son Bruce has ADHD, became emotional when discussing the challenges it had presented. Ms Cameron also has ADHD. "I look at kids who have ADHD … and often they're told that they're the naughty kids," she said. Currently, in Tasmania, it can be time-consuming and expensive to seek a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. The wait for paediatric assessments can be 18 months or more. Last year, Tasmanian GP Kate Bendall told the ABC it could involve multiple medical practitioners and cost more than $800 to receive a diagnosis. When the state parliament last year held an inquiry into how ADHD is assessed and treated in Tasmania, it received 60 submissions, many of which raised the lack of available medical professionals. Mr Rockliff said the pledge would allow Tasmanian GPs to provide diagnosis and treatment options rather than referring adult and child patients to specialists. "We need to ensure we move with that need and ensure we have more flexibility and opportunity." He said the announcement would provide better, cheaper, and faster access for the families seeking help. The announcement comes just one day after the South Australian Labor government made a similar pledge. It also reflects changes that have been made in New South Wales and Queensland in recent years. The Tasmanian chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Toby Gardner, said the peak body welcomed the announcement. "This is something we've been advocating for for a long time nationally," he said. Dr Gardner said the long wait times for children to be diagnosed could dramatically affect their educational outcomes. He said if adults were unable to access care and treatment, it could cost the national economy in lost productivity in the workplace. Ms Cameron, who has ADHD, said if she had been able to walk into a GP clinic and get the care her son needed, it would have been "life-changing". "To get the support [parents] need when they ask for it, without question or putting any doubt in their minds … it's so important," she said. Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday also said his party supported the policy. Greens candidate for Bass, Cecily Rosol, said she was on the parliamentary inquiry into ADHD and supported the policy. "Having GPs being able to make an ADHD diagnosis is a sensible move that will improve diagnosis, reduce waiting times and ensure people are able to get the treatment and support they need," Ms Rosol said. Mr Rockliff said if his government was re-elected, it would also amend legislation to allow interstate prescriptions for ADHD medication to be dispensed in Tasmania.