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        <title>Medibank Newsroom</title>
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                <title><![CDATA[Don’t miss a beat for women’s heart health]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/dont-miss-a-beat-for-womens-heart-health</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[Medibank has helped launch ‘Don’t Miss a Beat’, a campaign highlighting the importance of understanding how sex and gender differences in heart health can save lives.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[In an Australian first, data that highlight the difference in the prevalence and community response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest based on sex is now publicly available.
Only one in 10 people survive sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Victoria, despite the state having the second-best survival rate in the world.
In its 10th year of operation, Women’s Health Victoria’s Women’s Health Atlas has, for the first time, published data from Ambulance Victoria that highlight persistent gaps which impact women’s survival rates.
Women’s Health Victoria Chief Executive Officer Sally Hasler said that the data highlight the importance of understanding how sex and gender differences in heart health can save lives.
“The general understanding about cardiac health comes from research and practice based on male bodies, and it may be costing women their lives,” Ms Hasler said.
“At key points, we are missing opportunities that could save women’s lives by better understanding women’s heart health, and responding with timely CPR and defibrillation when a cardiac arrest occurs.
“Knowing this, Women’s Health Victoria is proud to be working with Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance Victoria, Monash University and Medibank on three new initiatives to save lives,” she said.
Ambulance Victoria Paramedic and Director of the Centre for Research and Evaluation A/Professor Ziad Nehme said paramedics attended more than 36,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from 2020 to 2024.
“Only one in 10 Victorians survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but Ambulance Victoria data show community education about the importance of CPR leads to earlier intervention by bystanders, which we know has a marked impact on cardiac arrest survival,” A/Professor Nehme said.
“Victoria’s internationally comparable witnessed cardiac arrest survival rate (Utstein) has risen to 44.4 per cent, a nation-leading figure and second only to Denmark (50.2 per cent) worldwide.
“When a patient receives early bystander intervention through CPR and shocks from a defibrillator before paramedics arrive, their chances of survival more than double.
“Ambulance Victoria data shows that in the five years from 2020 to 2024 the percentage of cases with a shockable rhythm was almost twice as high for men (13.1%) compared with women (6.8%),” he said.
“Men are also three times more likely to receive defibrillation than women. This may be because men are more likely to experience cardiac arrest in a public place and that can significantly increase their chance of survival, but we also know that bystanders can be hesitant to help when the patient is a woman.
“What this data makes visible is that women and men are not equally likely to receive bystander CPR or defibrillation, and that’s something these initiatives need to address,” A/Professor Nehme said.
St John Ambulance Victoria Chief Executive Officer Gordon Botwright said building skills and confidence to act is one of the most powerful ways to save lives in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive.
“We are working with Women’s Health Victoria to examine and update CPR training so it explicitly addresses sex-based barriers, normalises appropriate CPR on women and girls, and builds skills and confidence for bystanders to act without delay,” Mr Botwright said.
“This is about gender responsive training that reflects real bodies and real emergencies, so everyone has the best possible chance of survival.”
Monash University’s Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation Professor Cassandra Szoeke said there is also a clear need for better education for health professionals on sex differences in cardiovascular risk, symptoms, investigation and management to avoid cardiac arrest.
“We are building Australia’s first sex specific, co designed cardiovascular professional develop program to equip clinicians with evidence-based training to better recognise, investigate and manage heart disease in women,” Professor Szoeke said.
“The project will develop a practical, accredited learning module that will support clinicians to identify female specific cardiovascular risks and common presentations, and to apply sex specific prevention and management.
“It’s not just theoretical, as the module will focus on real world decisions - what to look for, what to test, when to refer - and will be designed for immediate practical clinical application.
“The new national sex-specific education program with the highest levels of evidence will upskill Australian health professionals, improving health outcomes for women, thanks to funding from the Medibank Better Health Research Hub and the real world experiences of clinicians and women. It will be linked to the Australian Medical Association (AMA) CPD Program,” she said.
Medibank Group Medical Director Dr Shona Sundaraj said closing the knowledge and confidence gap can save lives.
“It’s 2026, and heart disease in women in Australia is still not adequately recognised or diagnosed,” Dr Sundaraj said.
“During my GP training, differences in how men and women present with heart disease was not part of the conversation. It’s only once you start practising that it becomes clear that women can experience cardiac issues in many different and often overlooked ways.
“Medibank is proud to support Australia’s first cardiovascular education module focused specifically on women.
“Good heart health is not just about lifestyle choices. It also comes from regular heart checks and early intervention from health professionals who understand what to look for – regardless of your sex or gender,” she said.
Ms Hasler said Women’s Health Victoria was proud to partner with Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance Victoria, the Monash University Centre for Health Research and Implementation, and Medibank to embark on the three projects to address sex and gender in one of Australia’s leading causes of death.
“A cardiac arrest can happen to anybody at any time.
“These partnerships mean that at every point Victorians will be better equipped to intervene and ensure we don’t miss a beat when it comes to women’s heart health,” she said.
Originally published at https://www.whv.org.au/media-hub/dont-miss-a-beat-for-womens-heart-health on 23 April 2026.
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                                    <author>juliet.williams@medibank.com.au (Juliet Williams)</author>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:45:00 +1000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[New GP care model cuts hospital risk by 30% in Western Sydney ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/new-gp-care-model-cuts-hospital-risk-by-30-in-western-sydney</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[Innovative pilot shows multidisciplinary teams boost patient outcomes, increase access and free up GP capacity  ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[A pilot led by one of Australia’s largest GP networks is delivering strong early results for patients and GPs in Western Sydney.
The $3 million pilot – funded by Medibank and delivered across three Myhealth clinics in Parramatta, Auburn and Macarthur Square – is one of the first in Australia to quantify the health and economic benefits of a multidisciplinary model in primary care.
Under the approach, patient care extends beyond the GP to a team of nurses, mental health clinicians, social workers and pharmacists.
High-risk patients at the Myhealth clinics are comprehensively assessed, with care plans tailored to their specific risks and health needs.
A multidisciplinary team then works collaboratively in a structured model, combining their expertise to deliver coordinated, high-quality care and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Key results


30% of patients reduced their risk of hospitalisation score (based on the CSIRO risk prediction tool)


57% of patients reported improved overall health and wellbeing


All GPs reported they have been able to work to the full extent of their scope of practice and feel more supported in their role and are able to be more proactive in the care they provide.


Improved uptake of preventative vaccinations and screenings
Shingles vaccinations up 30%
Pneumococcal vaccinations up 9%
Cancer screening (cervical, breast and bowel) and bone density checks up by 5%


Myhealth Chief Medical Officer and clinical lead for the pilot Dr Mohammed Hasan said the findings highlight the benefits of shifting to proactive, team-based care for patients with chronic and complex health needs.
“We set out to understand how a team-based approach to care could help patients to stay as healthy as possible and reduce their risk of hospitalisation. The early results are promising.  We’re seeing better outcomes with more coordinated care and a meaningful reduction in hospital risk scores,” Dr Hasan said.
“Having a broader care team means patients receive more wraparound support – care that might otherwise require multiple clinic visits or referral to another service.&quot;

It helps streamline patient flow and gives GPs more time to focus on providing care that matters most, rather than on administration.  It also gives our healthcare teams the opportunity to work to their full scope, using their skills and training where they can make the biggest difference.

Medibank has shared the findings with the Federal Government, which is investing to reform the primary care system and improve the health of Australians.
In its pre-budget submission, Medibank highlights potential savings of at least $23 million to the health system from avoidable hospitalisations if the pilot was increased to 20,000 patients.
The results support the latest data from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners that shows the vast majority of GPs (84%) agree that multidisciplinary teams improve patient outcomes, with 2 in 3 wanting to do more multidisciplinary team care.
“This model has the potential to scale nationally – supporting patients, supporting GPs and making our healthcare system more sustainable,” Dr Hasan said.
Amplar Health Chief Executive Rob Read said the pilot results reinforce the vital role of proactive care in driving Australia’s health transition forward.
“Rates of chronic disease continue to rise, even though around one‑third of these conditions are preventable,” Mr Read said.

Team‑based care is essential to Australia’s health transition.  We’re reviewing these findings across our own GP network and will continue to share them with government and the wider sector, given the potential benefits for patients, clinicians and the broader health system.

The pilot is being independently evaluated by Macquarie University with funding support from the Medibank Better Health Research Hub.
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                                    <author>alice.ross@medibank.com.au (Alice Ross)</author>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +1000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[An extra year for ahm customers to use their unused routine dental annual limits ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/an-extra-year-for-ahm-customers-to-use-their-unused-routine-dental-annual-limits</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[An extra year for ahm customers to use their unused routine dental annual limits ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[For the fifth year in a row, ahm health insurance customers with extras cover will be able to use their unused routine dental annual limits for another year, giving customers more reasons to smile. 
The rollover of their unused routine dental limits will be automatically applied for eligible customers on 1 July 2026. New customers joining on extras cover by 30 June 2026 will also be eligible for the rollover.
ahm Senior Executive Rene Rached said the rollover will give customers more time to make the most of their dental annual limits and be proactive about their oral health.
“Dental is one of the main reasons why customers choose to get extras cover, so we’re pleased to be extending the time to use routine dental limits and deliver even more value for our customers,” he said.
“We also know that every dollar counts now, with cost-of-living pressures continuing to be felt by Australians due to rising inflation, interest rates and fuel prices.
“Routine dental can really add up throughout the year, so this will help our customers get as much value out of their cover as possible.”
Further information:

Service limits on applicable products (e.g. 2 dental check-ups for financial year) will continue to apply. Waiting periods for routine dental will also apply if these have not yet been served.
Unclaimed routine dental annual limits from the 2025/2026 financial year will be rolled over into the new financial year, however any unused annual limits rolled over from the 2024/2025 financial year will not be included.
Any ahm customer with extras cover at 30 June 2026 will be eligible for this rollover. When changing to different extras cover after 30 June 2026, the routine dental limit rollover will not apply to the new extras cover.
Rolled over annual limits will be available for viewing online by 1 July 2026.
Routine dental includes things like scale and cleans, fillings, extractions and mouthguards.

For more information, see ahm.com.au/explained/limits-rollover.
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                                    <author>sharna.rhys-jones@medibank.com.au (Sharna Rhys-Jones)</author>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Medibank named Australia’s best place to work | AFR BOSS 2026]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/medibank-named-australias-best-place-to-work-or-afr-boss-2026</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[Medibank has been named Australia’s best place to work at the 2026 AFR BOSS Awards, recognised for flexible work, employee wellbeing and future of work innovation.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[Medibank has been named the best place to work in Australia, taking out the top honour at the 2026 Financial Review BOSS Best Places to Work Awards.
The recognition reflects Medibank’s bold reimagining of how work gets done, prioritising flexibility, autonomy and wellbeing to create a workplace where people can do their best work in a sustainable and meaningful way.
Medibank Group Lead – People, Spaces &amp; Sustainability Kylie Bishop said:
“We’ve been focused on creating the healthiest workplace in Australia, rethinking the way we work, removing friction, and building an environment where people can do their best work in a sustainable way.
“Because when people feel well and supported, they show up differently. And that flows through to how we care for our customers and patients,” Ms Bishop said.
At the centre of Medibank’s approach is its ambition to be the healthiest workplace in Australia by 2030.
“We’re giving our people greater flexibility and autonomy to fundamentally change the way they work so they can stay sustainably engaged in delivering for customers and patients, while enjoying greater health and wellbeing.
“Our goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of our people and create a sustainable work environment that strengthens engagement and how we support customers and patients. Flexibility and autonomy are key to that,” Ms Bishop said.
This ambition underpins work. reinvented, Medibank’s movement to reshape traditional workplace norms and enable healthier, more joyful and creative ways of working.
“Our Four Day Work Week experiment is one example of how we’re challenging traditional workplace norms to drive greater flexibility and autonomy.”
Across the organisation, teams are experimenting with new work models designed to deliver better outcomes for both employees and customers.
“In our home health business, we’re experimenting with self-managed teams that own their patient caseloads, rather than relying on centralised rostering. It’s reducing travel time and improving both patient and employee satisfaction,” Ms Bishop said.
And following a successful pilot, Medibank also reorganised our customer support and Amplar Home Health teams into geographically based hubs, empowering teams to deliver more personalised, end to end support.
Customers are now supported by team members who live and work locally, while customer support employees who were previously 100 per cent call centre based can now work in retail stores. At the same time, retail teams have unlocked the flexibility to work from home, expanding choice and autonomy across the workforce.
Since the launch of work. reinvented, Medibank has seen a tremendous shift in both the way work is done and how people experience work.
“The organisation has adopted an experimentation mindset, unlocking new value and innovation in support of our 2030 vision. Employee engagement has reached its highest levels since March 2021 and equally, turnover is also at its lowest levels. In addition to this, we have seen a positive improvement in talent attraction. The perception of health, safety and wellbeing being a priority within teams remains strong, and in the top quartile of Health &amp; Wellbeing against an external global benchmark,” Ms Bishop said.
The award underscores Medibank’s leadership in creating a future focused, people centred workplace – one that delivers healthier outcomes for employees, customers and communities.
Keen to get involved and grow your career? Join us in creating the healthiest workplace in Australia!
Medibank Careers
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                                    <author>dianne.wynne@medibank.com.au (Dianne Wynne)</author>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Medibank to support customers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Narelle]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/medibank-to-support-customers-impacted-by-tropical-cyclone-narelle</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[Medibank announced it is providing financial and hardship support to customers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Narelle.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[Medibank today announced it is providing financial and hardship support to customers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
Medibank and ahm customers who have been impacted by the cyclone may be eligible for support, which includes suspending their policy for up to two years or waiving their premiums for three months.
Medibank Chief Customer Officer Milosh Milisavljevic said: “We’re here to support our customers while they deal with the devastating impacts of the cyclone.
“We want to help ease the burden for our customers during this difficult time. If you’re a Medibank or ahm customer living in an affected area and need some support, please give us a call.
&quot;The impact of a natural disaster can also take a huge toll on a person’s mental health. Medibank customers have round-the-clock access to our 24/7 Mental Health Support phone line and chat service.&quot;
Medibank customers can contact 132 331 and ahm customers 134 246 to speak to someone about hardship support available.
Medibank customers can call our Mental Health Phone Support line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 644 325.
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                                    <author>sharna.rhys-jones@medibank.com.au (Sharna Rhys-Jones)</author>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:40:00 +1100</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Medibank Better Health Research Hub grant recipients for 2026]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/medibank-better-health-research-hub-grant-recipients-for-2026</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[Congratulations to the recipients of the latest Medibank Better Health Research Hub funding round.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[Congratulations to the recipients of the latest Medibank Better Health Research Hub funding round.
These six new partnerships, valued at nearly $695,000, cover three research areas:

Community mental health and wellbeing
Prevention strategies in primary care
Care models for the future

Community mental health and wellbeing
Organisation: Orygen
Lead researcher:	Dr Lee Valentine
Project: To understand the impact of a digital youth mental health platform, including whether it improves mental health service access, efficiency and continuity of care.
Grant amount: $100,000

Organisation: Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Lead researcher:	A/Prof Simone Darling
Project: To determine whether early involvement in the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative leads to lasting improvements in adolescent mental health and wellbeing, decreases the need for mental health services, and contributes to better and sustainable long‑term health outcomes.
Grant amount: $200,000 over two years

Prevention strategies in primary care
Organisation: Women’s Health Victoria &amp; Monash Centre for Health and Research Implementation
Lead researcher:	Prof Cassandra Szoeke
Project: To develop, implement and evaluate Australia’s first cardiovascular education module focused specifically on women’s heart health. Designed for health professionals, the module aims to strengthen clinicians’ knowledge and capability, supporting more accurate diagnosis and improved care for women with, or at risk of, heart disease.
Grant amount: $100,000

Organisation: Macquarie University
Lead researcher:	Dr Tash Pocovi
Project: To assess the impact, cost‑effectiveness, uptake and safety of WalkBack Online, a digital health program designed to prevent low back pain from returning and support better long‑term health.
Grant amount: $100,000

Care models for the future
Organisation: La Trobe University
Lead researcher:	Dr Tshepo Rasekaba
Project: To assess whether a Virtual Diabetes Clinic can meaningfully improve access to high‑quality Type 2 diabetes care for people in rural and regional communities by offering flexible online appointments and streamlined referral pathways, and to determine whether the model is practical to deliver and easy for people to use.
Grant amount: $100,000

Organisation: ANZCA Foundation &amp; Adelaide University
Lead researcher:	Prof Guy Ludbrook
Project: This research targets improved postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and anaesthesia by expanding the implementation of the anaesthesia‑led Advanced Recovery Room Care (ARRC) model and continue building the evidence that it delivers higher‑quality early care for patients needing closer monitoring, including improved detection of complications, smoother recovery, and better use of hospital resources.
Grant amount: $95,000

In addition to these projects, the Medibank Better Health Research Hub is pleased to have collaborated with Australia General Practice Research Foundation and Diabetes Australia by co-funding two grants to support research into prevention strategies in primary care.
As a health company, our vision is to support better health outcomes for our customers by ensuring care remains truly patient centred. That’s why research matters to Medibank. Through the Better Health Research Hub and our partnerships with leading researchers, we are building the evidence and insight needed to improve how care is delivered, so customers receive care that is grounded in high quality evidence and centred on their needs and experience.
The Medibank Better Health Research Hub research pillars for 2026-28 are currently under development. As part of an evidence‑informed process, we are seeking input from consumers, researchers and policy experts. The final pillars will be released in July 2026.
About the Medibank Better Health Research Hub
We prioritise research in areas that address the quintuple aims of healthcare: improving health outcomes, affordability, patient experience, health equity, and the wellbeing of healthcare workers.
With a focus on collaboration and real-world impact, we partner with researchers, health services and organisations across the health sector. Our research pillars seek to address health and health system need, and to support Medibank’s 2030 vision to create the best health and wellbeing for Australia.
Find out more
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                                    <author>Dr Shona  Sundaraj</author>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:02:00 +1100</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[2022 cybercrime event - consumer class action ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/2022-cybercrime-event--consumer-class-action</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[The Full Federal Court has today refused Medibank’s application for leave to appeal from the Federal Court decision on 7 March 2025.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[The Full Federal Court has today refused Medibank’s application for leave to appeal from the Federal Court decision on 7 March 2025, which found that three reports prepared by Deloitte concerning the 2022 cybercrime event were not subject to legal professional privilege.
The Court has ordered Medibank to produce the reports to the Applicants in the consumer class action under an agreed confidentiality regime.
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board.
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                                    <author>emily.ritchie@medibank.com.au (Emily Ritchie)</author>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:45:00 +1100</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[My Home Hospital celebrates major milestone as demand for at-home acute care continues to grow]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/my-home-hospital-celebrates-major-milestone-as-demand-for-at-home-acute-care</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[As demand for healthcare continues to grow, My Home Hospital demonstrates how modern, integrated models of care can expand system capacity while improving patient experience]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[My Home Hospital is celebrating a significant milestone, having now treated more than 26,000 South Australians, across 190 postcodes and delivered over 117,684 hospital bed days in the comfort of patients’ own homes.
Delivered by Amplar Health on behalf of the South Australian Government, My Home Hospital provides acute hospital-level care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year — all from the place patients most want to be: home.
The service supports patients who would otherwise require admission to a traditional hospital ward, delivering intravenous therapies, monitoring, diagnostics and multidisciplinary clinical care, in the community. With an outstanding Net Promoter Score (NPS) since its launch in 2021, patient satisfaction remains exceptionally high.
“Patients consistently tell us they value being able to sleep in their own bed, drink from their own cups, and recover surrounded by family, pets and familiar comforts. For many, that sense of normality plays an important role in their recovery and wellbeing,” said Sarah McRae, Chief Executive of Amplar Health Home Hospital.
She added,

My Home Hospital is a real life example of delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time. It represents the health transition already underway — shifting appropriate care beyond hospital walls to create capacity within the system for rising demand driven by chronic disease, an ageing population, and growing community expectations. By providing safe alternatives to inpatient admission, the service is helping to free up physical hospital beds, reduce pressure on emergency departments and ambulances, and allow hospital teams to focus on the most complex cases.

Amplar Health Chief Executive Robert Read said the milestone reflects both clinical excellence and strong community support.
“My Home Hospital shows what’s possible when we rethink traditional models of care. We’re delivering hospital-level treatment safely in people’s homes, achieving outstanding patient satisfaction, and helping to build a more sustainable health system,” Mr Read said.
“Patients love being able to recover in familiar surroundings — close to family, carers and even their pets. It’s better for many patients, and it’s better for the health system.”
Mr Read congratulated the South Australian Government for its continued leadership and innovation in expanding out-of-hospital care.
“South Australia has been at the forefront of this healthcare innovation. We commend the Government for recognising that the system must evolve to meet the challenges of an ageing population and increasing chronic disease. We would welcome the opportunity to see similar models rolled out in other jurisdictions across Australia.”
As demand for healthcare continues to grow, My Home Hospital demonstrates how modern, integrated models of care can expand system capacity while improving patient experience.
“The future of healthcare is not only inside hospital walls — it is in homes, communities and connected care networks.”
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                                    <author>alice.ross@medibank.com.au (Alice Ross)</author>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:44:00 +1100</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[International Women’s Day: Balancing the scales in women’s health research]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/international-womens-day-balancing-the-scales-in-womens-health-research</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[For decades, much of the evidence that underpins modern medicine has been built on studies that largely focused on men, the result is a system that hasn’t always fully captured how disease presents, progresses and should be treated in women]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[In celebration of International Women’s Day, Dr Shona Sundaraj, Medibank Group Medical Director, talks about an issue she’s deeply passionate about: why medical research must do a better job of reflecting women’s health.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Balance the Scales”, couldn’t be more fitting. For decades, much of the evidence that underpins modern medicine has been built on studies that largely focused on men, often overlooking the hormonal cycles, reproductive stages and life transitions that shape women’s health. The result is a system that hasn’t always fully captured how disease presents, progresses and should be treated in women.
Women experience significant physiological transitions across their lives from menarche through pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and menopause. Yet research has often treated women as a single category, rather than recognising these distinct phases and how they influence health outcomes.
The consequence is a persistent knowledge gap. Conditions like heart disease, autoimmune disorders and depression can present differently in women, and when findings from male-centred studies are generalised, important differences may be missed. Heart disease is a clear example. It remains the leading cause of death for women globally, yet symptoms such as unusual fatigue, nausea, or jaw and back pain are sometimes overlooked because they don’t fit the “classic” presentation we’ve historically associated with the condition.
Encouragingly, this is beginning to change. There is growing momentum across the research community to design studies that better reflect women’s lives — including participants at different life stages and accounting for the role hormones can play in health and disease.
At Medibank, through the Better Health Research Hub, we are partnering with researchers to help build the evidence base and develop clinician education that improves recognition of how illnesses present in women. By strengthening research and awareness, we can help ensure women receive care that is informed by evidence that truly reflects their experiences.
Balancing the scales in health means recognising women’s health across the full life course and continuing to close the research gaps that have existed for too long.
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                                    <author>alice.ross@medibank.com.au (Alice Ross)</author>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:51:00 +1100</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[It takes a village: Medibank partners with Mum Walk to help new mums feel more connected]]></title>
                <link>https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/it-takes-a-village-medibank-partners-with-mum-walk-to-help-new-mums-feel</link>
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                                <description><![CDATA[Medibank announces a new 12-month social impact partnership with Mum Walk. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[Medibank has announced a new 12-month social impact partnership with Mum Walk – a community initiative helping new mums build social connections through free, local mum-led walking groups.
The partnership will help Mum Walk to grow from 50 to 100+ walks nationally, supporting thousands more new mums to get outdoors and build meaningful social support networks in their local community.
Medibank senior executive Andrew Retschko said: “We know that loneliness is a higher risk during major life transitions, like becoming a parent.
“These periods often disrupt existing social networks, routines and sense of identity, increasing vulnerability to disconnection and loneliness.
“Our research shows that connecting into new networks, especially through relatable group activities, is one of the strongest protective factors during these transitions.”
The collaboration with Mum Walk supports Medibank’s commitment to improve mental health and social wellbeing outcomes of Australians and its 10-year commitment to addressing loneliness.
“Our focus is on taking a preventative health approach to reduce the risk of chronic loneliness, which is a leading factor in poorer physical and mental health outcomes over time,” he said.
“It’s why we’re proud to partner with Mum Walk and give more new mums the opportunity to create meaningful social connections – which we know is a powerful protective factor.”
Medibank’s Loneliness Population Research shows:

56% of Australians feel lonely each week
32% score high on the UCLA Loneliness Scale
New parenthood is a major trigger
73% say loneliness affects their health
The top barrier to seeking help: not wanting to burden others

Mum Walk founder Kimberly Kay said: “Our research shows 90% of mums reporting feelings of loneliness or isolation after birth – Mum Walk exists to help re-build the social health of mothers across Australia.
“With Medibank’s commitment to preventative health, we can expand nationally and strengthen social connection as a recognised protective factor for maternal mental health.”
Together, Medibank and Mum Walk aim to:

Double the number of Mum Walk locations in 2026 from 50 to 100 nationally.
Grow the Mum Walk community to help ensure even more mums across Australia can access a free, preventative wellbeing initiative in their local area.
Reduce stigma around the experience of loneliness in early parenthood.
Strengthen mental fitness and social wellbeing in early parenthood.

To learn more or join your local Mum Walk, visit https://www.mumwalk.org/find-your-local-mum-walk
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                                    <author>dianne.wynne@medibank.com.au (Dianne Wynne)</author>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
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