News Articles
Employer faces court for alleged underpayment of medical first aid responders
Date of Posting: 20-12-2017
The owner of a Melbourne health services company is facing court for allegedly short-changing medical first aid responders working at public events more than $13,000 and using false pay records. The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action a Read More...
Wearable devices to remotely manage patient chronic conditions
Date of Posting: 20-12-2017
Wearable devices to remotely manage patient chronic conditions are set to become available for the medical profession as part of an Australian first. The move follows collaborative research between Griffith University, telecoms company Huawei Aust Read More...
Eight tips to ensure a healthy start to the New Year
Date of Posting: 20-12-2017
VicHealth says ensuring good health and wellbeing does not have to be a chore, releasing eight tips to ensure a healthy start to the New Year. Swapping treats for a piece of fruit or walking an extra block each day are small, simple changes that c Read More...
Misuse of powerful prescription medications for non-medical reasons is rising
Date of Posting: 19-12-2017
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report shows the number of Australians using opioids and benzodiazepines for non-medical reasons is rising. One million Australians misused pharmaceuticals in the previous 12 months, a new repor Read More...
Unravelling the speech and language abilities of children with KdVS
Date of Posting: 18-12-2017
New research by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and Netherland’s Radboud University Medical Centre has provided the first ever in-depth examination of speech and language abilities in children with Koolen-de Vri Read More...
Study finds high rates of nurse bullying, but managers make a difference
Date of Posting: 18-12-2017
An Australia-wide survey of nurses has found workplace incivility and bullying to be a common problem, but less so in hospitals where line managers demonstrate ‘authentic leadership’ behaviours. Overall, 59 per cent of 230 nurses surve Read More...
World-first type 2 diabetic complications study
Date of Posting: 18-12-2017
La Trobe University and Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute will spearhead one of the world’s first population-based studies to advance understanding of the progression of diabetic complications in people with type 2 diabetes. The researchers Read More...
Festive season accentuates isolation of dying older people
Date of Posting: 18-12-2017
Older people lack support from their communities towards the end of their lives, with many becoming progressively more socially isolated before their death. Both older people and their families and whānau require support which is tailored to mat Read More...
"Healthy people, healthy systems"
Date of Posting: 18-12-2017
Australian doctors and clinicians have drafted a blueprint for reforming the health system and taking it beyond what they call a fragmented and uneven service. Australian healthcare professionals have drafted a blueprint they say will revolutionis Read More...
Industry shortage leads to new program in grief and bereavement care
Last Updated: 15-12-2017
The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) is calling on psychologists, counsellors, and allied health professionals to update their qualifications in grief and bereavement counselling following a chronic shortage of appropriately trained Read More...
A study why people with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of dementia
Date of Posting: 15-12-2017
Australian researchers will conduct a 'world-first' study to advance understanding of the progression of diabetic complications in people with type 2 diabetes. Understanding why people with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk of dementia a Read More...
Use of opioid rising in rural areas of Australia
Date of Posting: 14-12-2017
The latest analysis of the nation's wastewater shows a worrying rise in the use of the potentially-addictive painkillers oxycodone and fentanyl in rural areas. Use of the potentially-addictive painkillers oxycodone and fentanyl is on the rise Read More...
Large babies being born in Australia is significantly higher than expected
Date of Posting: 14-12-2017
Australia is experiencing an "epidemic" of large babies due to the high rates of obesity, according to a new study. Analysis of more than 3,000 pregnant Sydney women shows the number of babies born between 2010-2012 classified as Large f Read More...
Understanding victims' experience - The key to driving change for a CQUni researcher
Date of Posting: 14-12-2017
It was her confronting experience on the frontline of domestic and family violence that prompted Dr Silke Meyer to take on research into the complex victim support system. Now a researcher and lecturer with CQUniversity, Dr Meyer’s work is e Read More...
Health experts call for nanosafety body
Date of Posting: 12-12-2017
Health experts from the University of Sydney are calling for a new safety body to be set up to monitor the use of nanomaterials. Health experts are calling for a safety standards body to be set up to monitor the use of minuscule particles added to Read More...
Federal Labor announced an HIV funding boost
Date of Posting: 11-12-2017
The federal opposition has announced a funding boost for Australia's peak HIV organisations if it wins the next election to increase preventive drug trials. Australia is not on track to meet its target of ending new HIV infections by 2020 but Read More...
Australian researchers to probe chronic pain
Last Updated: 08-12-2017
The spinal fluid of 30 people suffering from severe chronic pain will be analysed in a pilot study aimed at finding new treatments. The spinal fluid of patients with chronic pain will be examined by a team of Australian researchers as part of a no Read More...
A breakthrough in treatment of haemophilia
Date of Posting: 07-12-2017
The development of a 'breakthrough' gene therapy to treat a form of haemophilia has the potential to save thousands of lives, researchers say. Australian and international researchers have developed a "breakthrough" gene therapy Read More...
Mental health is the number one issue among young Australians
Date of Posting: 07-12-2017
Mission Australia's annual Youth Survey has found mental health is considered by young people to be the biggest issue in the country. Mental health is the number one issue among young Australians, with body image, stress and study problems amo Read More...
Whole grains lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and of weight gain
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
A group of academics and nutrition experts are concerned a 'noisy group' are trying to convince people to cut out all carbohydrates from their diet. Australians risk increasing their chances of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease a Read More...
RAHC sends its 5000th urban health professional to the Northern Territory
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) has placed its 5000th health professional into a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory (NT), since the program began in late 2008. The milestone was marked today at Parliament House with t Read More...
Big hospitals are more efficient, study shows
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
Size matters when it comes to a hospital’s operational efficiency and smaller hospitals have a higher risk of inefficiency, a study has found. When deciding on a hospital’s optimal size, managers need to consider the clinical functions Read More...
New Era for Diversity in Aged Care
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
The Turnbull Government has today released Australia’s latest Aged Care Diversity Framework, signalling a new, more inclusive era in aged care. The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, said all seniors in Australia - no matter what the Read More...
Australia's first clinical guidelines for children with stroke
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
Doctors from the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute have led the development of Australia’s first ever clinical guidelines that will improve the diagnosis and acute management of childr Read More...
The emu oil effect: a new tool in the fight against arthritic pain and stiffness
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
Arthritis is a pervasive condition that affects a staggering 3.85 million Australians. Although it is currently incurable, there are a number of alternative treatments emerging that can help ease its painful symptoms. One such option is emu oil, a Read More...
Dignity and choice vital for end-of-life care
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
Nurses have identified an urgent need for Australia to have a serious and comprehensive conversation about supporting individual patient choice when it comes to end-of-life decision making. Speaking following passage through the Victorian Parliame Read More...
Public hospitals the only choice if you're very sick, very young or old, or live in rural areas
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
‘A new report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that if you’re very sick, very young or very old, or live in rural areas, and you want to use your private health insurance and choose your doctor, publi Read More...
Public hospitals being privatised by stealth
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
New figures released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) confirm that the public hospital system is being privatised by stealth, as public hospitals increasingly give preferential access to privately insured patients to the detri Read More...
La Trobe health research attracts record funding
Date of Posting: 06-12-2017
La Trobe University has secured more than $16 million in this year’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant awards. It is the largest amount ever awarded to the University by the NHMRC. The money will support research in Read More...
Calls to make erectile dysfunction drugs available to men over the counter
Date of Posting: 05-12-2017
There is a push for Australia to follow the UK's lead and make Viagra available to men over the counter. There are calls for Viagra and similar erectile dysfunction drugs to be made available to Australian men without the need for a prescripti Read More...
Study shows statins may reduce ulcerated melanoma risk
Date of Posting: 05-12-2017
A Queensland study has shown regular use of statins reduced the risk of developing an ulcerated melanoma. Common cholesterol lowering medications and anti-inflammatory drugs may prevent skin cancers from developing into a deadly type of melanoma.[ Read More...
Physio-led exercise integral to cancer treatment, says COSA Position Statement
Last Updated: 04-12-2017
New research presented at last month’s Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) conference, shows that exercise during cancer treatment can reduce the risk of a patient dying from the disease, with physiotherapy lead programs specifically Read More...
Nicotine replacement therapy is safe for pregnant women who can't quit smoking
Date of Posting: 04-12-2017
A group of public health physicians and researchers say nicotine replacement therapy should be prescribed to pregnant women who can't quit smoking. Doctors are being encouraged to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy to pregnant women who fi Read More...
Explainer: what is inflammation and how does it cause disease?
Date of Posting: 04-12-2017
Jennifer Stow, The University of Queensland Inflammation has a major impact on our health and quality of life. It’s the trigger behind many chronic diseases and a growing burden affecting health care across the globe. But what is i Read More...
Transgender youth can now access hormone treatment without court approval
Last Updated: 04-12-2017
Milly Dunn, The Conversation In a landmark decision, the Family Court has ruled transgender youth will no longer need the authorisation of the court to access hormone treatment. Until now, Australia was the only country in the wor Read More...
Medical researchers hope to ease virus pain
Date of Posting: 01-12-2017
Researchers in Queensland hope they have found a way to reduce the pain suffered by victims of Ross River virus and Chikungunya virus. Two debilitating diseases that affect India and Australia are in the sights of a team of Gold Coast medical rese Read More...
New research shows psychosis is associated with nutrient deficiencies
Date of Posting: 01-12-2017
Early psychosis is associated with deficiencies in vitamin B9 and vitamin D, new research from Australia has found. Australian researchers have found a link between early psychosis and low levels of critical nutrients, particularly vitamin B9 (fol Read More...
New national cervical screening program launches
Date of Posting: 01-12-2017
Australian women will now be better protected against cervical cancer under the new national screening program, experts say. Women are being urged to take part in an updated national screening program that promises to protect millions from cervica Read More...
Last Updated: 30-11-2017
Health authorities have banned the use of vaginal mesh implants for pelvic prolapse and incontinence after finding the risks outweigh the benefits. A ban on vaginal mesh implants imposed by Australia's medical watchdog has been hailed as a win Read More...
Insufficient evidence linking vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy
Date of Posting: 30-11-2017
Canadian researchers have called for large new trials to determine whether levels of vitamin D have an effect on maternal issues in pregnancy. There is "insufficient" evidence to recommend vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy, an i Read More...
