WEL affirms the principle of a universal, high quality health system for all Australians, which provides equal access to a full range of hospital, medical, primary care and reproductive health services, and opposes the transfer of public money to support private health insurance and elite health systems.
See WEL National Policies for detailed information on WEL's policy on Health services and sexual matters.
Democrat Senator Lyn Allison asked Senator Santoro representing the Minister for Health and Ageing about a report in the Australian Doctor magazine of 17 March 2006 that some medical practices are refusing to perform Pap smears. Senator Santoro said that prior to this media coverage, the Department of Health and Ageing had not received any such reports. It was suggested that doctors may be refusing because of medico-legal considerations. He said that the Government does not legislate the services that must be provided by a medical practitioner. Services are a matter for medical professionals. However peak professional bodies may set standards of practice. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' standards define general practice as the provision of primary continuing, comprehensive, whole-patient medical care to individuals, families and their communities. Individuals who have concerns about their medical practitioner may complain to the Medical Registration Board or the Health Complaints Commissioner in their state or territory.
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2005 Vic Women's Health& Wellbeing Forum
General Women's Health Policy_3
Senate Submission by Aus Women's health Network
Women's health West
RU486 Supplementary Submission WEL Vic 06