Health in Focus Podcast

Australians in rural and remote areas often face limited access to healthcare, workforce shortages, and infrastructure gaps that impact health outcomes. So how can we close the divide and deliver equitable healthcare to all Australians—no matter where they live? In this episode of Health in Focus , Susi Tegen, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance, joins us to discuss the most pressing challen...

Prevention is better than cure — but why is it so difficult to prioritise prevention? While preventive healthcare can save lives and reduce long-term costs, governments often struggle to invest in strategies where results aren’t immediately visible. In this episode of Health in Focus , Dr Mike Freelander MP — Member for Macarthur, Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, and...

Australia’s healthcare system is under growing pressure—strained by an ageing population, rising rates of chronic illness, and workforce shortages. With doctors facing more complex patient needs and a system struggling to keep up, what reforms are urgently needed to meet the moment? In this episode of Health in Focus, Professor Michael Kidd—former Deputy Chief Medical Officer and current Director...

General practitioners are the backbone of Australia’s healthcare system, yet the pressures they face are greater than ever. With Medicare remaining largely unchanged for decades and the demands on general practitioners increasing, how can we ensure the future of primary care remains strong? In this episode of Health in Focus , Dr Kerrie Aust, general practitioner and President of the Australian Me...

Prevention is better than cure — but why is it so difficult to prioritise prevention? While preventive healthcare can save lives and reduce long-term costs, governments often struggle to invest in strategies where results aren’t immediately visible. In this episode of Health in Focus , Dr Mike Freelander MP — Member for Macarthur, Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, and...

Australia’s health system delivers world-class care, yet its long-term sustainability is under strain from chronic disease, workforce shortages, and rising costs. Professor Steve Robson argues that without a decisive shift towards prevention and a whole-of-government approach to health, policy settings will continue to reward treatment over long-term wellbeing, undermining equity, productivity, an...

Australia’s fastest-growing neurological condition exposes deep inequities in care access, fragmented funding systems, and a lack of nationally coordinated support for people living with Parkinson’s and their families. Chapters(00:00) - Intro(00:08) - Parkinson’s disease in Australia and why it matters(00:43) - Personal experience shaping leadership and advocacy(01:55) - Motor and non-motor sympto...

Australia’s healthcare system is facing a structural inflection point as rising chronic disease, workforce shortages and population ageing collide with funding models designed for acute, episodic care, raising urgent questions about sustainability, prevention and system integration.  Chapters (00:00) - Intro (00:39) - A health system at an inflection point (02:25) - Why funding models no longer ma...

Mental health is a vital part of Australia’s healthcare system, yet accessing services remains a major challenge for many. With workforce shortages, legal complexities, and rising demand, how can we ensure better mental healthcare for all? In this episode of Health in Focus , Natasha Robinson, health editor at The Australian , joins us to discuss the key barriers to mental healthcare access. We ex...

Australia’s private health system is critical to national healthcare—handling around two-thirds of elective surgeries and relieving pressure on the public system. But with outdated policies and growing inefficiencies, reform is urgently needed. In this episode of Health in Focus, former PHI executive and an expert, Justin James, discusses how Australia reached this breaking point, the most urgent...

Oral health isn’t just about teeth — it’s a major public health issue with serious consequences for overall wellbeing. In this episode of Health in Focus , Dr Chris Sanzaro, President of the Australian Dental Association, discusses the various challenges facing Australia’s dental sector, from access barriers for vulnerable communities to the concerning influence of private health insurers. 📥 JOIN...

Behind the scenes, pathology services provide critical information that guides diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. But do we truly understand its role and importance? In this episode of Health in Focus , Liesel Wett OAM, CEO of Australian Pathology, joins us to explore the impact of pathology on patient care. We discuss the lessons learned from COVID-19, the challenges of bulk-billing, and the p...

Pathology is one of the most essential yet often overlooked components of our healthcare system. Behind the scenes, pathology services provide critical information that guides diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. But do we truly understand its role and importance? In this episode of Health in Focus , Liesel Wett OAM, CEO of Australian Pathology, joins us to explore the impact of pathology on pati...

Palliative Care Australia CEO Camilla Rowland joins Katharine to discuss why quality end-of-life care is so often overlooked and under-prioritised in our health system. They explore the policy reforms needed to improve access, the common misconceptions about palliative care, and the emotional toll on patients, families, and carers alike. 📥 JOIN Amplieo+ on Substack for early access to episodes, e...

As healthcare costs rise and demand increases, how can Australia ensure access to quality, affordable care for all? With an ageing population and growing financial strain on the system, innovative solutions are needed to maintain sustainability. In this episode of Health in Focus , P rofessor Francesco Paolucci, a leading expert in health economics and policy, joins us to break down the key challe...

H ealthcare is under pressure from rising demand and outdated workflows. Tom Blinksell explains how AI could help redesign care delivery — and why healthcare adoption has lagged behind other sectors. Topics discussed: (00:06) Why healthcare workflows are breaking under pressure (00:17) AI as a redesign opportunity — not just automation (00:23) Australia’s National AI Plan and health sector respons...

Heart disease is often diagnosed too late, with many Australians missing early symptoms or facing barriers to timely testing and follow-up care. In this episode of Health in Focus , Tanya Hall , CEO of Hearts4Heart, shares her personal journey with congenital heart disease and explains why underdiagnosis remains common, what signs people often overlook, and how greater awareness, education, and su...

Australia’s health system is at a crossroads — from hospital congestion and NDIS pressures to specialist fees and GP access. Professor Stephen Duckett breaks down what’s going wrong, what’s improving, and the reforms Australia needs next. 📲 Sign up for full episodes on Amplieo ► https://www.amplieo.com 📥 Subscribe on Substack for EXCLUSIVE content ► https://www.amplieo.substack.com Watch & liste...