Friday, 10 July 2026
AIHW data coordination call, Endoscopic procedure for weight, Injecting room reduces ambulance callouts
- 01
AIHW Calls for Improved Data Coordination in General Practice
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) emphasises the need for better data coordination in general practice to address the significant burden of preventable diseases in Australia. Approximately 36% of the disease burden in 2024 is preventable, yet many patients delay GP visits due to cost and service availability. The AIHW reports that rural and remote patients face higher mortality rates but utilise chronic condition management services less than urban residents. The AIHW advocates for a National Primary Health Care Data Collection to harmonise data and improve patient outcomes across the healthcare system.
- 02
Endoscopic gut resurfacing shows promise for weight maintenance post-GLP-1
An investigational endoscopic procedure, duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR), has demonstrated early promise in helping patients maintain weight loss after stopping tirzepatide. Interim results from the REMAIN-1 trial indicate that patients undergoing DMR may regain significantly less weight compared to those receiving a sham procedure. The trial involved patients who lost at least 15% of their body weight on tirzepatide, with findings suggesting that DMR could help preserve metabolic benefits after discontinuation of GLP-1 therapy. No serious complications were reported, and the procedure showed a potential for increasing benefits over time.
- 03
Supervised injecting room reduces heroin-related ambulance callouts by 71%
Research from Monash University and Turning Point shows that Melbourne's supervised injecting room has led to a 71% reduction in heroin-related ambulance callouts over five years. The study analysed data from the National Ambulance Surveillance System, revealing a decline in ambulance attendances within the facility's catchment area, contrasting with trends in central Melbourne and across Victoria. The findings support the effectiveness of supervised injecting facilities as a harm reduction strategy, highlighting their role in alleviating pressure on emergency services. Since its opening, the facility has recorded over 600,000 visits and no overdose deaths.
- 04
Kidney transplant recipients face high skin cancer mortality risk
A large population-based study has found that kidney transplant recipients in Australia and New Zealand are 11 times more likely to die from skin cancer than the general population. The study, which analysed data from over 21,500 transplant recipients, revealed that keratinocyte cancer significantly contributes to this excess mortality, despite advancements in prevention and treatment. Researchers noted that skin cancer remains a major cause of death among transplant recipients, accounting for 27% of deaths in this group. The findings underscore the need for ongoing surveillance and prompt treatment pathways for these patients.
- 05
RACGP Critiques Integration of New Youth Mental Health Services
The RACGP has called for a reevaluation of the integration of general practice in the planning of new youth mental health services, specifically the Headspace Plus and Youth Specialist Care Centres. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's initiative aims to address the mental healthcare needs of young Australians aged 12 to 25, who have the highest prevalence of mental disorders. The RACGP's submission highlights concerns about potential fragmentation of care and the need for stronger collaboration with general practice, which plays a crucial role in mental healthcare. The college also raised issues regarding the complexity of the target population and the involvement of families in care when young people refuse treatment. Final models of care are expected by mid-2026.
- 06
Call for Redesign of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care in Australia
An editorial in the Internal Medicine Journal advocates for a shift in the delivery of care for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Australia, emphasising the need for patient-centred models and improved data transparency. Authors Professor Jane Andrews and Associate Professor Susan Connor argue that the current focus on treatments overlooks critical aspects of care delivery, which affects outcomes for over 180,000 Australians with IBD. They highlight the lack of mandatory national clinical care standards and call for the establishment of clinical quality registries to track and benchmark care quality. The editorial follows a Tasmanian case study revealing significant challenges in IBD care, including workforce shortages and limited access to multidisciplinary services.
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.