Australian Clinical Labs

05/06/2024

The increasing resistance of bacteria to commonly used antibiotics is becoming a major issue in modern medicine. We can all help combat this problem by remembering that antibiotics don’t kill viruses—they only kill bacteria. If you have cold or flu symptoms, discuss testing with your GP before taking antibiotics.🩺🦠💊

29/05/2024

Today is World Digestive Health Day! Let's uncover the true cause of stomach ulcers and explore a non-invasive, safe, and accurate testing option available at Clinical Labs. Scroll through the images to learn more.

27/05/2024

There has been a marked uptick in reproductive carrier screening for Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Fragile X Syndrome since it became covered by Medicare in Nov 2023.

However, most testing is happening after pregnancy begins, limiting options.
Dr Tristan Hardy, speaking at the recent RCPA Pathology Update, called for more awareness of testing before pregnancy.

“Early testing enables individuals to explore various options, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with pre-implantation genetic testing, to reduce the risk of passing these conditions to their children,” said Dr Hardy.

About 1 in 20 people are carriers of one or more of these conditions, however, most are usually unaware.

Couples planning a pregnancy are encouraged to speak with their healthcare providers about reproductive carrier screening to make informed decisions before they become pregnant.

09/05/2024

Congratulations to Gary Suffolk, Head of our Clayton VIC Cytology Lab, on achieving his remarkable 35-year service milestone with us!

Gary’s dedication, expertise, and leadership have been instrumental in the success and advancement of the cytology testing services offered by Clinical Labs. Thank you, Gary, for your outstanding contributions and here’s to many more milestones ahead!

Pictured Left to Right: Anthony Friedli, Gary Suffolk, Nick Champness and Michael Ritchie.

06/05/2024

It’s HEART WEEK, and the Heart Foundation is encouraging Australians to book a HEART HEALTH CHECK with their GP.

What's a Heart Health Check?

A Heart Health Check is a 20-minute check-up with your GP to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
Your doctor will ask you about your lifestyle, medical, and family history. They will also check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

Your GP will use this information to estimate your risk of a heart attack or stroke and discuss the steps you can take to lower your risk.

To find out more, visit: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-week

01/05/2024

Discover the importance of bulk-billed genetic carrier screening in providing valuable insights before pregnancy💡👶 Swipe through the images for an easy-to-follow explanation ↩️

24/04/2024

Great article in yesterday’s Maternity Guide liftout in The West Australian featuring Clinical Labs’ National Director of Molecular Genetics, Associate Professor Mirette Saad, providing expert advice about genetic carrier screening for women considering pregnancy.

23/04/2024

Government funding for pathology has been frozen for 24 years.
Visit the website now and let your MP know pathology funding needs to be increased in this month's Federal Budget.
Keep pathology bulk billed. Don’t create a gap.

https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au?utm_content=sked_6621752bfa20e0144ff5ff55&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

16/04/2024

Every week, a million Australians use pathology services for everything from a simple blood test to cancer screening.

But the industry's peak body is warning that more of the bill for tests could be passed on to patients unless the government increases funding.

DETAILS: https://nine.social/EjN

11/04/2024

April is STI Awareness Month 📅 Let's break the stigma and spread knowledge about s*xual health. Remember, practicing safe s*x and regular STI testing are key to staying healthy🦠💉💊💪 ❤

08/04/2024

A few minutes of your time could help benefit all Australians. If you have a spare few minutes, please call your local MP (click here and enter your postcode for your local MP's contact number: https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/ ) and explain why pathology testing services urgently need a funding increase in this year's federal budget (funding hasn't increased in 24 years). This increase is essential to ensure that these vital healthcare services (70% of medical treatment decisions rely on pathology) remain accessible for all 🔬🩸💉❤️

Over 24,000 Australians have emailed their local MP and asked them to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed.
It has been encouraging to hear that some of you have received a response back from your MP - but these responses have not committed to increased funding for pathology in this year’s Budget.
If you have a spare minute, pick up the phone to your local MP’s office and voice your concerns.
We’ve added your MP’s phone number to our website to make it easy. Use your postcode to find your MP’s phone number.
Point out that:
- the government needs to end the 24-year freeze on the Medicare rebates for pathology;
- without fair funding, pathology services - like blood tests, will become less affordable and accessible for people like me;
- we don’t want pathology to become like bulk billing for GPs, which is becoming harder to access and making healthcare more expensive.

https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au

04/04/2024

Government funding for pathology has been frozen for 24 years.
Visit the website now and let your MP know pathology funding needs to be increased in this year’s Federal Budget.
Unless it is changed, the funding freeze risks creating a gap for these vital services and jeopardising the health of all Australians, especially those who can least afford it.
Keep pathology bulk billed. Don’t create a gap.

https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au

27/03/2024

“2023 saw a resurgence of STIs, with notifications significantly higher than in 2019.” In the lead article from our March 2024 edition of Pathology Focus, ‘The Rise in STIs Post-COVID,’ three of our expert pathologists—Dr Sudha Pottumarthy-Boddu, Dr Stella Pendle, and Dr Linda Dreyer—discuss the concerning increase of gonorrhea, syphilis, and congenital syphilis cases in Australia, alongside other STIs of concern. Additionally, Dr David Baker from East Sydney Doctors contributes by offering a GP’s perspective. To read the full article, click on the link below.https://www.clinicallabs.com.au/about-us/doctor-media-releases/the-rise-in-stis-post-covid/

21/03/2024

No one wants a pathology gap. We all need to take action now to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed.

If you haven’t already done so, please complete the online form to ensure that vital pathology services remain bulk billed and accessible to all Australians. ✅

13/03/2024

An estimated 2,625 new cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in Australia in 2022. Multiple myeloma, a blood cancer arising from plasma cells in the bone marrow, can be diagnosed early in primary care through the identification of warning signs and the ordering of correct blood tests for an accurate diagnosis. To learn about the early warning signs and the correct blood tests to order to rule out multiple myeloma, click on the link to read the article from the latest edition of our Pathology Focus medical newsletter. https://www.clinicallabs.com.au/about-us/doctor-media-releases/signs-symptoms-of-multiple-myeloma-which-tests-to-order-for-a-timely-diagnosis-and-to-avoid-complications/

04/03/2024

Let’s Keep Pathology Bulk Billed and accessible to ALL Australians!

Take action now by completing the online form at
https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/ and make your voice count. It only takes a few seconds and will help shape a healthier future for everyone. ✔️👍❤️🔬

01/03/2024

Let’s Keep Pathology Bulk Billed and accessible to ALL Australians!

Take action now by completing the online form at
https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/ and make your voice count. It only takes a few seconds and will help shape a healthier future for everyone. ✔️👍❤️🔬

Pathology funding has not been indexed for 24 years, which makes it an exception in the health system where everything else has been indexed during that time. The indexation freeze has been exacerbated by four Medicare cuts between 2008 and 2014.

26/02/2024

Did you know that around 14 million people claim Medicare Pathology benefits each year?

Since 1999, pathology providers have been filling the funding gap to keep services running as costs go up. Without fair funding increases, pathology providers will be forced to make some very difficult decisions.

We need your help to keep everyday pathology tests - like blood tests - bulk billed.

We ask for your support to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed. Visit the website to tell your MP that pathology funding needs to be increased in this year’s Federal Budget.

https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/

26/02/2024

Thinking of having a baby?

We’ve done the groundwork for you by compiling a comprehensive list of the essential things you should consider before trying to conceive. Start with a visit to your doctor to discuss genetic carrier screening, which is now bulk-billed for CF, SMA, and FXS.

Explore our website at https://antenatal.clinicallabs.com.au/patient to discover further information on genetic carrier screening, Harmony NIPT, and other antenatal tests that Clinical Labs can support you with throughout your pregnancy journey.

26/02/2024

Welcome to Dr Patrick Penitani, a pathologist from Tonga, who is one of six overseas Trainees who will receive specialist pathology training in Australia as part of the Australia Awards Fellowship, supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Selected in consultation with the RCPA and the Ministry of Health Tonga, Dr Penitani will begin training at the Australian Clinical Labs, Geelong, in April 2024, hosted by RCPA Fellow, Dr David Clift, who is also the Honorary Pathologist to the Kingdom of Tonga.

View the full media release: https://rcpa.me/TongaTrainees

23/02/2024

13/02/2024

💖 Happy Valentine's Day! 💖

Don't forget to show some love to the most important person in your life - YOU! 💕 While you're showering your loved ones with affection, why not get that overdue blood test or health check-up? Your health deserves some TLC too! 😊

12/02/2024

Since 1999, pathology providers have been filling the funding gap to keep services running as costs go up. Without fair funding increases, pathology providers will be forced to make some very difficult decisions.

We ask for your support to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed. Visit the website to tell your MP that pathology funding needs to be increased in this year’s Federal Budget.

https://keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au/

12/02/2024

We Need Your Help to Keep Pathology Bulk Billed

Did you know that 70% of all medical treatment decisions rely on pathology tests, yet the Australian government hasn’t increased funding for pathology testing in 24 years?

Watch the short video below in which Associate Professor Chris Barnes, Clinical Labs’ National Director of Clinical Pathology, explains how, in order to maintain the world-class services we offer, pathology funding needs to be increased like all other Medicare-funded healthcare services.

How can I help keep pathology bulk billed and accessible to all Australians? Please scan the QR code at the end of the video or visit keeppathologybulkbilled.com.au and complete the online form.

Associate Professor Chris Barnes from Clinical Labs talks about keeping pathology bulk-billed.

10/02/2024

💡🔬 Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! 🔬💡

Today, we're shining a spotlight on the brilliant women at Clinical Labs and the pivotal role they play in Australian healthcare. Their dedication, expertise, and passion is truly inspiring!

Join us in celebrating the thousands of amazing women who work at Clinical Labs and their contributions by giving them a shout-out.

Together, we're paving the way for a brighter, healthier future! 💪🌐👩🔬🌟

16/01/2024

An insightful article on Clinical Labs’ Drug & Alcohol Testing Services is featured in the current issue of Australian Mining Review, providing valuable information on the benefits of saliva testing by our expert toxicologist in WA, Dasun Suwandaratne.

While urine may be considered the gold standard in drug and alcohol screening (DAS), there are situations where a different solution is required in order to keep workplaces safe.

15/01/2024

We're excited to announce a new partnership with Australian Clinical Labs that will fast track at-home pathology testing to our WA clients. This means easier access to vital tests for those who need it most, leading to better outcomes.

Plans are underway to rollout the service for our clients in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

Read more

https://loom.ly/R4K52RI