Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Menopause awareness campaign launched, New bulk billing consent laws, Bulk billing rate exceeds 80%
- 01
Australia launches first menopause awareness campaign
The Australian government has launched its first national awareness campaign focused on menopause and perimenopause, following recommendations from a Senate inquiry. The campaign aims to improve women's understanding of symptoms and access to reliable information, addressing the stigma and silence surrounding these experiences. Minister for Women, Senator Katy Gallagher, emphasised the need for credible, evidence-based information to support women's health and wellbeing. The initiative is part of a broader $792.9 million women's health package, which includes new PBS listings for menopausal hormone therapies.
- 02
New laws require GPs to document bulk billing consent
Starting July 1, GPs must record patient consent for bulk billing, a change mandated by new laws. Practices will need to retain this consent for two years, and it can be collected before or after consultations. Concerns arise about patients who are too ill to consent and the potential administrative burden on practices, particularly for vulnerable populations. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has not yet clarified how these changes will apply in specific scenarios, leaving many questions unanswered.
- 03
National GP bulk billing rate exceeds 80%
The national GP bulk billing rate has officially surpassed 80%, according to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The number of practices signed up for the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Payment (BB PIP) has reached over 3800, with nearly 40% of these clinics previously operating as mixed billers. The uptake of the BB PIP has led to the largest quarterly increase in bulk billing in 20 years, excluding pandemic years. Data indicates that 92.7% of concession card holders and 72.5% of non-concession card holders are now being bulk billed.
- 04
New framework launched for managing frailty in older Australians
A new Australian consensus framework has been developed to prevent and manage frailty in older adults, outlining 19 recommendations focused on early intervention and multidisciplinary care. Researchers from the University of Queensland led the initiative, which involved 77 healthcare experts and six consumers with lived experience of frailty. The framework aims to address inconsistencies in frailty management across healthcare settings and advocates for annual frailty screening for those aged 65 and older. Key areas of focus include nutrition, exercise, social prescribing, and medication optimisation to enhance the quality of life for older adults.
- 05
Research advocates earlier atrial fibrillation screening for Indigenous Australians
A new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia recommends screening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for atrial fibrillation starting at age 55, rather than the current guideline of 65. This population experiences strokes at a younger age and at higher rates, with one-third linked to atrial fibrillation. The research indicates that early detection can significantly reduce stroke risk, as Indigenous Australians develop the condition nearly 16 years earlier than non-Indigenous Australians. The study calls for amendments to screening recommendations to improve health outcomes in this high-risk group.
- 06
Tezepelumab shows promise in reducing steroid use for severe asthma
The SUNRISE trial results indicate that tezepelumab can significantly reduce maintenance oral corticosteroid use in patients with severe asthma while maintaining control of the condition. The phase 3 study demonstrated that patients receiving tezepelumab had nearly three times the odds of achieving larger reductions in corticosteroid doses compared to those on placebo. Additionally, patients treated with tezepelumab experienced fewer exacerbations and improvements in lung function and quality of life. These findings suggest a potential new treatment pathway for patients reliant on long-term oral corticosteroids.
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.