A new report shows bushfire smoke fuelled emergency treatment

Date of Posting: 25-11-2020

A new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report has found emergency department presentations for respiratory conditions shot up during the bushfires. Bushfire smoke fuelled a spike in emergency department visits and demand for medical trea Read More...

Prescribing opioids: improving pain management must be a priority

Last Updated: 25-11-2020

New research is paving the way to effectively reducing opioid prescribing, but experts caution that improved communication with patients and striking a balance for those who do benefit from opioids is crucial. Professor Michael Farrell, Director o Read More...

Travellers may need electronic vaccination passports soon

Last Updated: 24-11-2020

Qantas has suggested people travelling to and out of Australia could carry electronic vaccination passports, to prove they've had the COVID-19 jab. Qantas is part of a push by world airlines to require international travellers to prove they Read More...

Queensland will reopen border to NSW and Victoria next week

Last Updated: 24-11-2020

The border war between Queensland and NSW is set to end after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced her state will reopen to visitors south of the Tweed. Queensland has declared itself "good to go" and unveiled plans to reopen to all N Read More...

Qantas hopeful Queensland will open its border with NSW and Victoria

Last Updated: 23-11-2020

Qantas could return to 60 per cent of its pre-coronavirus capacity, depending on what happens with the Queensland border, by Christmas. The head of Australia's national carrier is "hopeful" Queensland will relax its border restrictio Read More...

Australian researchers have discovered that COVID-19 victims maintain immunity

Last Updated: 23-11-2020

Australian researchers believe COVID-19 vaccines will work for longer periods, after testing the immunity of people who had contracted the disease. Australian researchers have discovered that patients who've been infected with COVID-19 retain Read More...

Zebrafish are providing UQ scientists with Autism insights

Last Updated: 23-11-2020

Zebrafish are helping University of Queensland scientists discover how sound processing impacts people with autism spectrum disorder and Fragile X syndrome. The tiny fish carry the same genetic mutations as humans with both conditions, allowing re Read More...

Northern Territory will lift Adelaide hotspot declaration

Last Updated: 20-11-2020

The Northern Territory will lift its COVID-19 hotspot declaration for South Australia from Saturday. The Northern Territory will remove all coronavirus hotspot declarations for South Australia from Saturday.[subscribe] Health Minister Natasha F Read More...

South Australia COVID-19 case lied, lockdown eased

Last Updated: 20-11-2020

South Australia's statewide lockdown will end early after it emerged a man with COVID-19 lied to contact tracers, increasing fears about community spread. South Australia's six-day lockdown will end early after it emerged a person closely Read More...

No new coronavirus cases in Victoria

Last Updated: 20-11-2020

Victoria has recorded no new coronavirus cases or deaths for a third week, as it looks to recommence its hotel quarantine program. Victoria will resume its hotel quarantine program in just over a fortnight, as the state marks three weeks without a Read More...

Study finds "high level" of COVID vaccine resistance among Australians

Date of Posting: 20-11-2020

Almost three-in-five Australians (58.5 per cent) say they will definitely get a COVID vaccine once it is available, new analysis from The Australian National University (ANU) shows. But six per cent of the population say they definitely won’ Read More...

Physiotherapists can play a key role in helping their patients quit smoking

Date of Posting: 20-11-2020

Physiotherapists can play a central role in helping their patients quit smoking with a simple three-step intervention model, according to new ACU research from cardiorespiratory physiotherapist Nia Luxton. Published in the latest issue of the Jour Read More...

Get fit with HIIT in time for summer

Date of Posting: 20-11-2020

Short bursts of intense exercise – known as HIIT – could help you get back into shape by summer and stay that way, a UNSW Sydney exercise physiology researcher says. Getting fit by exercising intensely for a few minutes a day, several Read More...

Lifesaving skill missing in two-thirds of Aussie homes

Date of Posting: 20-11-2020

Getting as many children as possible learning to swim is the goal of ‘Swim It Forward’, an initiative of Swim Australia that seeks to help Australian families access swimming lessons more easily, after concerning research revealed parents Read More...

Sharp decline in mental health for young Australians

Date of Posting: 20-11-2020

COVID-19 is continuing to lead to worsening mental health outcomes for young Australians, with the highest levels of psychological distress for 18- to 24-year-olds observed this year, new analysis from The Australian National University (ANU) shows. Read More...

NSW in a move to accommodate New Year's Eve celebrations

Last Updated: 19-11-2020

Anyone visiting Sydney's CBD on New Year's Eve will be required to carry a permit as the government eases restrictions for the festive season. Up to 3000 people will be allowed to gather outside in NSW in a move to accommodate New Year' Read More...

New Zealand agrees on new COVID-19 vaccine deal

Last Updated: 19-11-2020

New Zealand now has two deals in place to supply millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Kiwis. New Zealand has agreed a deal to buy up to five million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Janssen Pharmaceutica, which if realised would see every New Ze Read More...

South Australian Labor calls for more testing resources

Last Updated: 18-11-2020

The South Australian opposition has called for more testing resources in Adelaide to help combat a COVID-19 outbreak. Testing stations should remain open around the clock and more should be opened in Adelaide's north to handle a surge in deman Read More...

South Australia will go into lockdown for six days

Last Updated: 18-11-2020

South Australia is going into a six-day lockdown as a "circuit-breaker" to help get on top of a COVID-19 outbreak in Adelaide. South Australia will go into lockdown for six days, with a range of restrictions to provide a "circuit-br Read More...

Urgent calls to improve mental health support for rural communities

Last Updated: 18-11-2020

Bushfires, drought and a pandemic have together taken a severe toll on the mental health of rural communities – but our support services need to move away from being reactionary and crisis-triggered, and more consistent and holistic. Tessa C Read More...

Blood types O positive and A positive are running critically low

Last Updated: 17-11-2020

Supplies of Australia's two most common blood types are running critically low and the Red Cross is appealing for 16,000 people to give blood or plasma. The Red Cross has put out an urgent call for blood donors with stocks of Australia's t Read More...

A rapid COVID-19 test key for safer hotel quarantine

Last Updated: 17-11-2020

A COVID-19 test that delivers results in 10 minutes could reduce the risk of outbreaks from quarantine hotels and help prevent second or third waves. A rapid COVID-19 test that delivers results in 10 minutes could hold the key to preventing outbre Read More...

A new report shows urinary infections could cost Australia $1b

Last Updated: 17-11-2020

The cost of urinary tract infections could blow out beyond $1 billion a year if the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs isn't halted, a new report says. It might be an embarrassing affliction but the common urinary tract infection is fast b Read More...

Children face extensive wait times for costly private mental health support

Date of Posting: 17-11-2020

Parents are facing extensive wait times and substantial out-of-pocket costs when seeking private mental health support for their children, according to a new study. The research led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and pub Read More...

Paramedics have one of Australia's most dangerous jobs

Last Updated: 17-11-2020

Allegations of widespread sex discrimination and gender-based bullying among Ambulance Victoria staff have highlighted just some of the problems faced by paramedics. [subscribe] Since the allegations came to light last month, Ambulance Vic Read More...

Report shows diabetics at risk of dead in bed syndrome

Date of Posting: 16-11-2020

A diabetes advocacy group says affordable access to continuous glucose monitoring devices would protect young sufferers from "dead in bed syndrome". In November 2011, 17-year-old Daniella Meads-Barlow went to bed and never woke up.[subsc Read More...

Report on how Melbourne hospital dealt with outbreak

Date of Posting: 16-11-2020

A new report by Royal Melbourne Hospital has detailed its moves to curtail the nation's largest institutional coronavirus outbreak among healthcare workers. Royal Melbourne Hospital has revealed four in 10 of its COVID-19 infected staff were f Read More...

Government has no plans to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory

Date of Posting: 16-11-2020

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the government has no plans to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt is anticipating Australians will willingly adopt a coronavirus vaccine without having to make it compulsor Read More...

Western Australia is ready to take the next step forward

Last Updated: 13-11-2020

Perth Airport is bracing for an influx of interstate passengers when Western Australia's hard borders finally reopen over the weekend. Western Australia's borders will finally reopen on Saturday after seven long months, with Premier Mark M Read More...

South Australia will lift its border ban with Victoria on December

Last Updated: 13-11-2020

South Australia will drop its border ban with Victoria from the beginning of next month, dependent on no major new outbreak of COVID-19 cases. South Australia will lift all its border restrictions with Victoria on December 1, with no requirement f Read More...

Victoria's contact tracing system will hold public hearings next week

Last Updated: 13-11-2020

A parliamentary inquiry into Victoria's contact tracing system will hold public hearings next week, with a number of experts expected to give evidence. A parliamentary inquiry into Victoria's coronavirus contact tracing system will hold pu Read More...

Movember response to cancer Australia report

Last Updated: 13-11-2020

A report released today by national government agency Cancer Australia has shown a notable national reduction in services for a range of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures during the initial COVID-19 period March to May 2020. The report, R Read More...

Young people are exposed to more hate online during COVID. And it risks their health

Last Updated: 13-11-2020

COVID has led to children spending more time on screens using social networks, communication apps, chat rooms and online gaming.   While this has undoubtedly allowed them to keep in touch with friends, or connect with new ones, during t Read More...

Barriers to connecting with support for older women

Date of Posting: 13-11-2020

Getting help with small home tasks that are not supported by available services is among factors affecting quality of life for older women living alone, new research has found. When support was needed, a lack of knowledge was also a major barrier Read More...

Ageing in place: home is where our heart and health is

Date of Posting: 13-11-2020

Age may well be just a number, but it will inevitably catch up to us. Physically, and mentally, we just won’t be able to do the things we once could. But with a little bit of help, we could delay the move into the aged care system and be happie Read More...

A global study has found pre-surgery COVID-19 test could save lives

Last Updated: 12-11-2020

A global study has linked testing patients for COVID-19 before major surgery to a lower rate of post-operative respiratory complications. Routinely testing patients for COVID-19 before major surgery could save lives but it is not being consistentl Read More...

NSW businesses need to use a digital registration system

Last Updated: 12-11-2020

Thousands of businesses across NSW are obliged to install a digital system to record patrons' names and contact details from November 23. Digital registration such as a QR code or other method of capturing contact details electronically will b Read More...

Removing stigma crucial to reducing stillbirth rate

Last Updated: 11-11-2020

The stillbirth rate in Australia has remained largely unchanged over the last 30 years, with six babies stillborn every day around the country, as experts highlight the urgent need to remove stigma and taboo around the issue. “No words can d Read More...

Western Australia prepares for COVID-19 borders to fall

Last Updated: 11-11-2020

Western Australia is days away from its hard borders coming down, with the government confident it won't affect the state's ability to hold large events. Western Australia's health minister is confident the state will still be able to Read More...

Frontline health workers in NSW are the first to get COVID-19 vaccine

Last Updated: 11-11-2020

Gladys Berejiklian says plans are underway to ensure frontline health workers and the vulnerable in NSW are the first to get any COVID-19 vaccine. NSW has clocked up three straight days without recording a single case of locally acquired COVID-19 Read More...