Saturday, 13 June 2026
GPs and firearm licensing calls, New three-tier funding proposal, Urban settlement of overseas GPs
- 01
Coronial inquest prompts calls for GP involvement in firearm licensing
A Victorian coronial inquest has reignited discussions on the role of GPs in assessing firearm licence applicants. The inquest followed the suicide of a gun owner who did not disclose his mental health and substance abuse history when renewing his licence. Coroner Simon McGregor noted the current licensing process lacks genuine vetting and recommended that GPs and psychologists be allowed to notify authorities if a licence holder is unfit due to health conditions. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners expressed concerns about the practical and ethical implications of such assessments.
- 02
Proposed Three-Tier Funding Structure for General Practice
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is proposing a new three-tier funding structure for general practice, which could significantly alter the funding landscape. The first tier would maintain universal bulk billing practices, while the second would apply to mixed-billing practices that must bulk bill certain patients. The third tier would cater to private clinics that can privately bill all patients but would lose certain incentive payments. This proposal is still in the discussion phase, with input from various health professional bodies and ongoing consultations.
- 03
Overseas-trained GPs predominantly settle in urban areas
Only 10% of GPs registered through AHPRA’s fast-track specialist scheme are working outside major metropolitan areas. The majority of overseas-trained specialist GPs are choosing urban locations, raising concerns among rural doctors about the effectiveness of the distribution priority area policy. In 2025, the number of new overseas-trained specialist GPs registering in Australia increased by 30% compared to 2024, yet 89% of these doctors are in urban settings. Experts argue that the current distribution system is failing to address rural healthcare needs.
- 04
UK launches meningitis B vaccination programme for students
The UK will offer the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine to thousands of young people this summer, targeting those finishing year 13 and individuals under 25 starting university or residential education. This initiative follows a significant outbreak in Kent that resulted in two fatalities, described as the largest and fastest-growing outbreak in the UK. Eligible students will receive two doses of the vaccine, at least four weeks apart, before the autumn term. The Department of Health and Social Care noted an increase in clusters of meningitis B this year, prompting the vaccination programme.
via BMJ
- 05
J&J recalls Impella heart pump controllers over safety concerns
Johnson & Johnson’s Abiomed has issued a Class I recall for Impella heart pump controllers due to identified hardware issues that could pose safety risks. The Food and Drug Administration disclosed the recall, which affects controllers used to adjust and monitor Impella pumps. Abiomed identified four hardware issues during a retrospective review, including problems with the internal video graphics array cable. The corrections aim to prevent potential failures that could lead to serious injury or death, as delays in hemodynamic support can have critical consequences for vulnerable patients.
via MedTech Dive
- 06
CMS establishes Office of Health Technology and Products
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has created the Office of Health Technology and Products to enhance its focus on digital health tools and innovation. This new office will oversee the development of digital health tools, manage artificial intelligence implementation, and promote healthcare data exchange. Led by Amy Gleason, the office will include eight groups dedicated to various aspects of health technology, including public-facing services and interoperability standards. This initiative aligns with CMS's broader strategy to centralise technology functions and support the Health Tech Ecosystem, which aims to improve data sharing and digital health adoption.
via MedTech Dive · also covered by Healthcare Dive
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.