Alison Branley

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Rachel Carbonell |Alison Branley

The number of older Australians presenting to emergency departments is steadily increasing, according to the Australian Medical Association. And data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows they also account for almost half of all public hospital bed days nationally. It's one of the biggest challenges facing Australia's health system.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Alison Branley |Evan Young

If you've heard about the big spending pledges around bulk-billing and Medicare this election but still don't feel clear about what that'll mean for your health care, you're not alone. In case you missed it, Labor and the Coalition have both pledged $8.5 billion to give GPs incentives to bulk-bill all patients instead of just kids, concession hard holders and pensioners.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Conor Duffy |Alison Branley

Bethan Reece enrolled her daughter Ada in child care when she was four months' pregnant, but it would take two more years before she secured a place. Bethan and Ada live in Alice Springs, one of the many "childcare deserts" around Australia. When Ada finally got a place at 18 months old, Bethan was only offered one day a week. Bethan works in early childhood education. But without enough child care herself, she was forced to quit her job.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Alison Branley

A NSW Police officer has been told he can keep his job, despite pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death. Sergeant Justone Wong was convicted in July over a fatal crash in 2022 which killed a 76-year-old bus driver in Sydney's west. The Greens have called for an independent NSW Police regulator with greater powers and funding, while the NSW Coroner is investigating the death. A NSW Police officer convicted over a fatal crash in Western Sydney in 2022 will be allowed to keep his job.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Alison Branley

You've probably heard a lot about something called the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) this week. It's been in the news because both sides of parliament announced they'll drop the cost of PBS medication to $25. There have also been fears that the United States will impose tariffs on Australian pharmaceuticals because US pharmaceutical giants dislike that the PBS sometimes subsidises cheaper generic medicines, rather than more expensive brand-name ones.