Australian Patients Association

23/09/2025

Universal Healthcare needs resuscitation and reinvigoration. Now.

In this year’s Australian Healthcare Index (AHI), released today, three in four Australians said they have changed healthcare decisions because of financial pressures. We’re not ok with this.

We run the AHI annually with Healthengine to provide a national pulse check on the state of healthcare. This year’s results highlight serious equity concerns.

Young adults and women were most affected, with many resorting to buy now pay later services, medical payment plans or even drawing on superannuation early to cover essential care such as dentistry or surgery.

Of those who changed their healthcare decisions due to cost of living:
• 58% missed or delayed dental treatment
• 55% missed or delayed a GP/doctor visit
• 41% missed or delayed allied health appointments (physio, chiro, acupuncture, etc.)
• 32% missed or delayed buying needed medications
• 31% missed or postponed a diagnostic test or scan
• 28% missed or delayed mental health support
• 23% downgraded to a less expensive private health insurance cover
• 16% cancelled private health insurance altogether

Thank you to Penny Timms for covering the AHI release in the Australian and shining a light on the growing gap between those who can access care and those who are forced to delay or miss it.

We also thank Dr Joycelyn Ling for co-authoring the report with our CEO Lisa Robins, to SpectData's Jesslyn Tan for the data analysis, and the Healthengine team for editing and publishing the report.

This year's report: https://australianhealthcareindex.com.au/australian-healthcare-index-september-2025-report/

The media release: https://www.patients.org.au/post/three-in-four-australians-report-changing-healthcare-decisions-due-to-financial-pressures

Penny's article: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fhealth%2Fmedical%2Fconcerns-over-rise-of-buy-now-loans-to-pay-for-healthcare%2Fnews-story%2Fcc4b0debd7457be48412dac3a169d970&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=HIGH-Segment-1-SCORE&V21spcbehaviour=append

21/09/2025

We've turned 15 - celebrate with us! 🎈

Have you been part of our journey? Please share in the comments below - we want to hear from friends new and long-standing alike - how have we created positive impact together?

Fifteen years ago, we set out to make sure every Australian patient had a voice.
Today, we celebrate a decade and a half of shaping healthcare policy, standing beside patients, and driving change that improves lives.

Our work is far from over. We will keep:
• Advancing truly patient-centred care
• Championing health equity and access for all
• Ensuring policy is informed by real-world patient experience

With innovative programs, strong partnerships and a passionate team, Patients Australia will continue to lead national efforts to make healthcare more affordable and accessible and to keep the patient voice front and centre in every decision.

Srini Vasan Robert Lee Terri-Helen Gaynor Tamara Rowan Lisa Robins Michele Robbins Kaylene O'Shea Nick Coatsworth Richard Skimin Hasna Nabila

18/09/2025

Stethoscopes took a while to catch on and then became an essential part of delivering care. Telehealth is on the same path, rapidly integrating into everyday clinical workflows and evolving alongside emerging AI capabilities.

Patients tell us telehealth has improved their access to timely, high-quality care and given them greater flexibility in managing their health. But it needs strong guardrails to ensure care remains safe, equitable and consistently high quality.

That is why Patients Australia is leading the Australian Telehealth Standards Consortium. We are collaborating with Australia's telehealth leaders and co-designing national standards with patients, and we would love to hear your patient experience.

➡️ If you have used telehealth and want to help shape these standards, submit an expression of interest to join our upcoming patient focus group: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=v_pNuSu6skOJO8vS2rAwLBy5_qy3xuZGnSzLJkybi_lUOEdGQTRVODNNMVNTODNIWUlEUFlVTjk4Ty4u

Participants will receive a Coles voucher and, more importantly, help set the benchmark for the future of virtual care in Australia.

18/09/2025

As we mark 15 years of Patients Australia, we are proud to reflect on our role in the Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC) during Covid in 2020. At a time when many Australians were delaying regular doctor visits, tests, and immunisations due to fears of contracting COVID-19 or burdening the health system, Patients Australia joined forces with over 30 Peak Bodies, Industry, and Patient Organisations to send a clear message: continuing care is essential to long-term health outcomes.

The CCC was the first collaboration of its kind in Australia, uniting organisations across the health sector to advocate and educate patients. Together, we reached a wide audience through social and virtual channels, while also providing government with strategic advice shaped by each organisation’s unique perspective.

This work remains one of the strongest examples of how collaboration can safeguard patient health and ensure that the patient voice is heard, even during times of national crisis.

18/09/2025

Initiated in 2017, the Annual Patients Awards Night has evolved into a national event that recognises excellence in the Australian healthcare system as nominated by patients. Each award is governed by strict eligibility and assessment criteria, with hundreds of nominations received each year. With its growing popularity, the event is now a major highlight on the national health calendar, showcasing patient stories of outstanding inspiration and contributions to Australian healthcare.

As we celebrate 15 years of Patients Australia, the Awards Night stands as a proud example of our commitment to giving patients a voice and recognising those who make a lasting impact on their care.

17/09/2025

As part of celebrating our 15 years, we’re proud to reflect on initiatives that have helped shape the healthcare conversation in Australia.

The Australian Healthcare Index was born seven years ago – a collaboration between Healthengine and Patients Australia track patient priorities in the overall healthcare system. These surveys are recognised for their depth and quality, providing crucial data that informs health advocacy and policy. With over 10,000 respondents and data building upon the previous year, it provides a tracker of how the healthcare system is performing.

They are regularly referenced by the Federal Department of Health, the Minister for Health and Aged Care and numerous stakeholders across the healthcare sector.

16/09/2025

Humble beginnings - Patients Australia formerly The Australian Patients Association (APA) was aptly born at a hospital bedside. Its origins lie in the raw, lived experience of its founder, Michael Riley, whose father endured a flawed journey through the NSW health system during cancer treatment and end-of-life care in 2010.

Despite having top-tier private health insurance, Michael’s father faced repeated communication breakdowns among hospital staff, inappropriate behaviour from non-clinical staff and serious out-of-pocket expenses. The family, like many others, encountered silence and inaction when raising concerns with hospital administrators. It became clear to Michael that his family's ordeal wasn’t unique and that many others were quietly suffering through similar healthcare failings.

The turning point came when a fellow visitor casually remarked, “What we really need is a patients’ association.” That idea stuck. With a background in lobbying and communication, some in the health sector, Michael turned frustration into action, establishing the APA to champion the rights of patients and push for system-wide change.

Michael brought together a passionate leadership team of Dr. Maurice Fabiani as the inaugural Chairperson and Steve Mason as CEO. Together, they built a board, launched advocacy campaigns and began raising the profile of patient issues in media and political circles.

12/09/2025

Patient community - we're seeking expressions of interest from you to join one of five upcoming focus groups. Your insights will help shape our 2026 national advocacy on key health issues.

Each 1.5-hour session can be in person in Melbourne or online in October this year and participants will receive a $100 Coles voucher.

Topics include:
• Medicines access – focussing on delays in PBS listing of TGA-approved medicines
• Out-of-pocket specialist costs - we want to hear from patients who feel strongly about this issue
• Scope of practice – what do you think about expanded roles for nurses, pharmacists, psychologists and more?
• Telehealth standards – help us to define safe, high-quality care from the patient perspective
• Women’s health – including menopause and endometriosis

Interested? The registration link can be found at the bottom of the image below, or go to https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=v_pNuSu6skOJO8vS2rAwLBy5_qy3xuZGnSzLJkybi_lUOEdGQTRVODNNMVNTODNIWUlEUFlVTjk4Ty4u&route=shorturl

31/08/2025

Women’s Health Week 2025 is here 💜 A reminder to keep women’s health in focus and the conversation moving forward.



Jean Hailes for Women's Health

Women's Health Week 2025 is here, and it’s time to 'Say yes to you'! ❤️
⁠
Each day this week shines a spotlight on different health topics to help you prioritise your health and wellbeing.

Head to the link in the comments to explore this week's line-up, and keep an eye on our socials. We’ve got some exciting things coming your way 👀

Share your event photos, your moments of self-care, and how you're saying yes to you using the hashtags below:

31/08/2025

At Patients Australia, our mission is to champion the voices of patients across the health system.

We’re currently recruiting two new Board Directors to bring fresh perspectives and extend the skills of our board. We’re looking for people with:
Legal expertise
Digital Health / AI / IT / Technology experience

This is a voluntary role (approx. 10 hours/month) with online board meetings every two months and an annual planning day in Melbourne.

If you’re committed to improving patient experiences and want to shape healthcare at a national level, apply here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4291509281/

Applications close September 5.

27/08/2025

We are recruiting for two casual vacancy board director roles.

Patients Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to championing and protecting the rights and interests of patients and improving patient experiences and health systems. We represent people across all stages of health and care – in every part of the system – and work to ensure their voices are heard where decisions are made.

We are looking to recruit two casual vacancy board directors to compliment and extend the skills and capabilities of the current board of directors. We have an ambitious strategy and we are looking for specific expertise.

Individuals with prior board experience will be highly regarded, including AICD graduates (but not essential). We are preferably seeking individuals with the following skill sets and who have extensive networks in the healthcare system:

- Legal

- Digital Health / AI / IT / Technology

About the role:

This is a voluntary board who meet online every two months, and each board member is requested to be a member of various sub-committees such as (a) Finance and Audit Committee (b) Fundraising & Donations Committee and (c) Governance Working Group. In addition, we hold an annual strategic planning day in Melbourne.

Board director terms are three years and maybe eligible to serve for a maximum of six years. Both casual board director roles will be nominated at the AGM in March 2026 to formalise their directorship.

We also suggest that any applicant is able to contribute up to 10 hours of time per month to assist with the various requirements of the role.

Patients Australia is an inclusive organisation that values diversity and encourage all peoples to nominate for the board. If you are interested in applying please submit a cover letter and no more than a 2-page board resume via the following link. https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4291509281/

For more information about our organisation please visit our website – www.patients.org.au

25/08/2025

Carers make such a difference every single day.

We’re highlighting Keira Langenberger, a nominee for the Outstanding Carer Award at the Patients Australia Awards Gala 2025, who shared her story as a carer alongside Eileen Kearns.

Their experience is a heartfelt reminder of the strength, love and dedication that carers bring into the lives of those they support.

🎥 Watch their story here.

Thank you, Keira and Eileen, for sharing your journey with us 💙