The risks of over-diagnosis which may lead to more harm than good underline the need for patients to discuss treatment decisions with their doctor to ensure they are well-informed, the Consumers Health Forum says. CHF has joined other health organisations in endorsing the Wiser Healthcare...

Widespread and growing community frustration with the cost and inadequacies of private health insurance oblige the Federal Government to initiate a thorough investigation into its value, the Consumers Health Forum said today. In a submission to the Senate inquiry into health insurance and out of...

The appointment of consumer leader, Jo Watson, as the inaugural deputy chairperson of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, is an encouraging recognition of patients’ interests in deciding which medicines should be subsidised, the Consumers Health Forum’s CEO, Leanne Wells, said today. “...

The commitment from the government to deliver a national real-time monitoring system for prescription medicines will improve the safe use of medicines and save lives said Leanne Wells the CEO of Consumers Health Forum of Australia. “We welcome the announcement today of a commitment to fund the...

Consumers would win an important place in future negotiations about government payments to pharmacy owners and the services they provide under an option proposed in the interim report of the Review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation. “The recognition of the importance of consumer interests in...

The Consumers Health Forum supports the call for the enforcement of Medicare principles to ensure private patients in public hospitals do not receive preferential treatment ahead of public patients. “We back the recommendation in a new report by Catholic Health Australia, that the only driver for...

Moves to tighten Medicare payments for “urgent” after hours services should ensure that any new measures do not reduce services for people with valid need for care, the Consumers Health Forum says. “The report by the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review acknowledges that after-hours GP services are...

A new report showing dramatic differences in treatment rates around Australia signals a pressing need for reforms to ensure equitable access to appropriate health care for all Australians, the Consumers Health Forum, says. “A seven-fold difference in hospitalisation for heart failure and a 15-fold...

The appointment of a second consumers representative to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recognises the value of the consumer perspective in vital decisions about access to medicines, the Consumers Health Forum said today. “We are delighted that Bel Harper has been appointed to the...

Australia’s health system is turning into an increasingly inequitable mix of high health fund profits while public patients wait longer for care in public hospitals. “New figures have delivered a double whammy for patients. Public patients are waiting much longer for elective surgery than privately...