News Articles
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...
Tasmania is a step closer to voluntary assisted dying
Last Updated: 11-11-2020
Voluntary assisted dying is a step closer in Tasmania after legislation to legalise the practice passed the state's upper house. Tasmania has moved closer to legalising voluntary assisted dying, with the landmark legislation passing one chambe Read More...
Last Updated: 11-11-2020
Growing up, and into young adulthood, Dominique Ribeiro Da Silva lost count of the number of doctors who told her she was overreacting, imagining things, or to go away and have a couple of Panadol. The unhelpful advice came, despite years of painf Read More...
NSW travel app predicts when trains will be crowded
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
The NSW government has stopped short of mandating mask use on public transport, instead introducing a new app feature that predicts when trains will be crowded. The NSW government is still resisting calls to mandate masks on public transport and i Read More...
Victoria is preparing a testing blitz after having no new cases
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
As Victoria has another day without any coronavirus deaths or new cases, the state is preparing a testing blitz. Victoria is preparing to launch its first large-scale asymptomatic testing program as the state's run of no coronavirus deaths or Read More...
Gyms in Melbourne have now reopened
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
Fitness centres closed for most of the year have now reopened, with an industry boom predicted, while restaurants and pubs are also enjoying eased restrictions. Melbourne pilates teacher Aaron Smith was so keen to reopen his studio after four mont Read More...
How strong your grip is says a lot about your health
Date of Posting: 10-11-2020
The human hand is remarkable. Not only does it allow us to throw, grab, climb and pick things up, it can also be a measure of health. Using hand-grip strength – which assesses the amount of force a person can generate with their grip &n Read More...
Walking downhill increases risk of falls in older adults
Date of Posting: 10-11-2020
Falls are a common cause of injury in older adults and can lead to disability. Luckily, the risk of falls can be reduced with regular exercise– but not all exercise. Our latest study shows that so-called eccentric exercise – such Read More...
We studied mental toughness in ultra-marathon runners
Last Updated: 10-11-2020
For most people, running a marathon sounds like a lot of work — and they probably wouldn’t even consider completing more than one within 24 hours. The will to go the extra mile is what lies at the very heart of ultra-endurance ev Read More...
An eminent psychiatrist says a second wave of coronavirus-linked mental health is starting
Last Updated: 09-11-2020
Australian policy-makers must be willing to turn society upside down to flatten the "mental health curve" stemming from COVID-19, an eminent psychiatrist says. An eminent psychiatrist has warned a second wave of coronavirus-linked mental Read More...
CSL to make vaccine in Australia
Date of Posting: 09-11-2020
CSL will start manufacturing the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine but its rollout still depends on the success of its clinical trials and regulatory approval. Biotech giant CSL will start manufacturing a coronavirus vaccine for a planned release in th Read More...
Significant psychological toll from COVID-19 lockdown
Last Updated: 06-11-2020
Research published today has confirmed the nationwide Alert Level 4 COVID-19 lockdown had a significant toll on New Zealanders’ well-being, especially for younger people – but the results were not all negative. Researchers from the Uni Read More...
Experts say a cholesterol plan could save thousands
Date of Posting: 05-11-2020
Thousands of Australians could avoid a heart attack or stroke if the federal government implements measures to tackle cholesterol problems, experts say. Two Australians could be saved every day if the federal government implements measures to bett Read More...
A new report highlights Indigenous vision loss
Date of Posting: 05-11-2020
A new report shows Indigenous Australians over 40 have had three times the rate of vision loss than non-Indigenous Australians. Older Indigenous Australians have been far more likely to suffer vision loss than their non-Indigenous peers, according Read More...
Diabetic Australians unaware of organ risks
Date of Posting: 02-11-2020
A new study has revealed many Australian diabetics don't know about kidney and heart failure - two common, deadly complications caused by the disease. If Joseph Kizana had known he would suffer organ failure, spend 300 consecutive days in hosp Read More...
NARI survey of older Australians highlights physiotherapists' frustrations
Last Updated: 02-11-2020
The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) survey of aged care residents has revealed that inadequate care is causing mental and physical ill-health in older Australians. It is the first detailed study of its kind in Australia and highlights the h Read More...
Rural LAP approved to continue supporting vacant positions until 31 December 2020
Date of Posting: 30-10-2020
We understand that most health professionals are no longer taking CPD or recreation leave and are working overtime to ensure their local community continues to receive high quality care during this global pandemic. With all hands on deck at health Read More...
