News Articles
Health technology cracks code for patients and profits
Date of Posting: 14-02-2024
Health technology breakthroughs are bringing more jobs, a more advanced health system and better outcomes for patients, according to Assistant Minister for Health Ged Kearney. Some 56 new full-time jobs have been created for every $1 million of to Read More...
'Stop swimming after diarrhoea' amid gastro spurt
Date of Posting: 14-02-2024
An outbreak of a diarrhoeal disease associated with swimming has parents in three states being warned to keep kids out of pools and water parks when ill. More than 1500 cases of cryptosporidiosis have been diagnosed in Queensland, NSW and Victoria Read More...
'Dire' mental health care in flood-ravaged communities
Date of Posting: 13-02-2024
Regions left traumatised by repeat disasters are facing a shortage of mental health workers while existing staff face burnout, an inquiry has been told. A NSW parliamentary inquiry is examining the equity and accessibility of outpatient community Read More...
Cambodia reports new bird flu case after boy's death
Date of Posting: 13-02-2024
The brother of a boy who died last week from bird flu has tested positive for the virus, Cambodia's Health Ministry has said. The 9-year-old's death in the northeastern province of Kratie was the first from bird flu in Cambodia this year, Read More...
Psychological distress jumps in young people
Date of Posting: 12-02-2024
A jump in psychological distress and loneliness among young people during the pandemic reflects a 20-year trend while inequality is lower than before 2020. That's according to the latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia repor Read More...
School bus measles warning after virus case in NSW
Date of Posting: 12-02-2024
Schoolchildren in the Northern Rivers area of NSW may have been exposed to measles after a person with the virus recently returned from Asia. NSW Health is warning people in the state's north to be on alert for symptoms.[subscribe] The depa Read More...
Suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at ice rink
Date of Posting: 12-02-2024
Several ice hockey players and spectators have been treated in hospital after suffering suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. A group of 16 people between the ages of 17 and 40 attended Royal Adelaide Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning a Read More...
Treatment options wider if prostate cancer found early
Date of Posting: 11-02-2024
Frank Dann was a few days out from celebrating his 65th birthday when he was hit with a huge health shock. The Melbourne resident was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a series of medical tests prompted by his GP, but the news still came as a s Read More...
Flying doctor spreads its wings to primary health care
Date of Posting: 11-02-2024
The scent of jet fuel hangs heavy in the air as weary doctors, psychiatrists and a physio all pile out of a small plane. They stretch while setting foot on the Broken Hill tarmac, several hours since going out bush to be run ragged at fly-in, fly- Read More...
Nurses take pay battle to Fair Work Commission
Date of Posting: 11-02-2024
Nurses are appealing to the industrial umpire for a 35 per cent pay increase and say they have long been undervalued because most are women. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation (ANMF) filed a claim with the Fair Work Commission seeking Read More...
Investigation launched into Launceston hospital deaths
Last Updated: 08-02-2024
Tasmania's health department is investigating claims a former top doctor at a state hospital falsified certificates and did not report deaths to the coroner as required. The allegations were aired during a parliamentary inquiry into ambulance Read More...
Rio declares a dengue emergency days ahead of Carnival
Date of Posting: 08-02-2024
Rio de Janeiro has declared a public health emergency because of an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever just days before Carnival celebrations kick off across Brazil. The outbreak wasn't expected to derail Carnival, which officially starts Read More...
New clinical trial of benefits of immersion therapy
Date of Posting: 08-02-2024
A two-year randomised clinical trial of the benefits of immersion therapy for patients with brain and spinal injuries has started at the University of South Australia. Immersion therapy, which allows patients to experience freedom of movement in a Read More...
GPs in last-ditch bid to avoid tax and $15 fee hike
Date of Posting: 07-02-2024
Crunch talks are under way as doctors face a four-month deadline before a fresh tax hit kicks in and potentially adds an extra $15 to the bill for NSW patients' GP visits. Doctors across the country's most populous state could be forced to Read More...
Vape market worth up to $500 million in Victoria
Date of Posting: 07-02-2024
Victoria's e-cigarette market could be worth up to $500 million and almost half a million people vape. That's according to analysis by the state's parliamentary budget office, released amid an ongoing violent conflict between organised Read More...
Hospital head 'falsified death certificates'
Date of Posting: 07-02-2024
A top doctor at a Tasmanian hospital falsified the cause of death on patient records, including one reason that defied common sense, an inquiry has been told. The Launceston General Hospital also allegedly operated outside of its own protocols dur Read More...
Plantar Fascitis cases spike post Covid, say physios
Date of Posting: 06-02-2024
The aftermath of Covid has seen increased rates of plantar fasciitis, says foot and ankle physiotherapist, Andrew Wynd. “We have seen a great increase in heel pain presenting in the clinic, and we suspect this is for a few reasons,” ex Read More...
New mRNA cancer vaccine trialled in Britain
Date of Posting: 05-02-2024
A new mRNA cancer vaccine made by pharmaceutical firm Moderna is being trialled in British patients. The mRNA technology - which was adapted to make COVID-19 jabs - works by helping the body recognise and fight cancer cells.[subscribe] Experts Read More...
Doctors urge caution as temperatures soar in the east
Date of Posting: 04-02-2024
Doctors are encouraging Australians to be alert to the signs of heat-related illness this weekend as searing temperatures are forecast for a large part of the nation. Parts of the ACT, NSW, South Australia and Victoria will experience the 40C temp Read More...
Caution over psychedelic meds in new approach to trauma
Date of Posting: 04-02-2024
MDMA may be known as the "party" drug ecstasy and magic mushrooms associated with hippies, but the psychedelic substances now offer hope to Australians living with severe mental illness. Melbourne psychiatrist Eli Kotler is among a handf Read More...
German government set to legalise cannabis on April 1
Date of Posting: 04-02-2024
Germany plans to legalise cannabis as of April after lengthy wrangling between the governing parties over the final details and health protections. "The law can thus come into force on April 1," deputy parliamentary group leaders Dagmar Read More...
Top 8 Reasons to Pursue a Degree in Mental Health
Date of Posting: 02-02-2024
Curiosity about the human mind and a desire to make a positive impact hook you in? A degree in mental health might just be your calling! Mental health professionals are the unsung heroes, tirelessly working to enhance people's emotional, psycholo Read More...
Australia's COVID-19 response 'worst ever failing'
Date of Posting: 01-02-2024
Australia's COVID-19 pandemic response has been slammed as the "worst ever public health failing" as doctors call for a royal commission into the nation's handling of the crisis. Labor went into the 2022 election promising a roya Read More...
Hospital waits balloon, GP visits down as costs bite
Date of Posting: 01-02-2024
Sick and injured Australians are putting off seeing their local doctors and languishing in emergency departments as they struggle with medical costs. Data released by the Productivity Commission reveals almost half all 2022/23 emergency department Read More...
'Clock stoppers': mobile paramedics model under review
Date of Posting: 01-02-2024
Victoria's mobile ambulance service is set for a shake-up following the death of a regionally based paramedic and dispatch concerns. A new operating model for Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances (MICA) is under consideration, Ambulance Victoria h Read More...
Local mpox case prompts call to get vaccinated
Date of Posting: 31-01-2024
Gay men and sex workers in Victoria are being encouraged to be alert for symptoms and get vaccinated after the state recorded its first locally acquired case of mpox in almost six months. The latest case has not been linked to international travel Read More...
'Scariest experience': ex-vaping youth front new push
Date of Posting: 30-01-2024
As Xavier Roper struggled to breathe in bed and his girlfriend ran for help, the perils of his short vape addiction finally hit home. The Year 12 student had picked up vaping nine months earlier, won over by messaging they were mere flavourful wat Read More...
Three hospitalised after taking MDMA spiked with opioid
Date of Posting: 30-01-2024
Three people were hospitalised in Sydney after taking tablets they believed to be MDMA but that actually contained a potent opioid. Health authorities in NSW have issued an urgent warning about the tablets, which are orange or red and rectangular, Read More...
Sloppy sun safety putting young people on slippery path
Date of Posting: 29-01-2024
Sloppy approaches to sun safety are leading young Australians down a slippery path, with a skin cancer awareness campaign delivering a timely slap on the wrist. Three in four 18 to 30-year-olds believe they are unlikely to develop skin cancer over Read More...
UK to ban disposable vapes to prevent use by children
Date of Posting: 29-01-2024
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to ban the sale of disposable vapes to prevent their use by children and reiterate the government's intention to introduce a law preventing younger generations from buying tobacco. Under the new powers Read More...
Jump into virtual exercises can reduce pain and falls
Date of Posting: 28-01-2024
Stepping into the virtual world could offer real-life health benefits, with studies suggesting the experiences can help prevent falls and ease chronic pain. A study investigating the impacts of at-home step exercises with a gaming component found Read More...
Waning general practice interest given a $40k booster
Date of Posting: 28-01-2024
Medical graduates who choose to go into general practice are being offered a $40,000 incentive in a bid to reverse the decline in those choosing to become GPs. Up to 800 grants are up for grabs with 400 on offer this year and the remaining 400 in Read More...
NSW COVID-19 wave has reached plateau, data suggests
Date of Posting: 28-01-2024
A spike in COVID-19 infections seen in Australia's two most populous states over the Christmas and New Year period may have reached a plateau, data suggests. COVID variant JN.1 drove a wave of infections responsible for a steep increase in hos Read More...
Vaccination expert among honoured health professionals
Date of Posting: 26-01-2024
As a globally renowned expert on vaccine hesitancy, some of Julie Leask's greatest insights have come from close to home. Many of those close to her don't support vaccination and she believes their perspectives have helped inform the way s Read More...
No health data stolen in hack on major hospital network
Date of Posting: 26-01-2024
A month-long investigation into a cyber attack on a major hospital and aged-care network has found it was unlikely that sensitive personal information was stolen in the hack. St Vincent's Health Australia, which operates public hospitals in in Read More...
Monitor for symptoms as measles spreads to three states
Date of Posting: 25-01-2024
People across three states are being warned to be on high alert for measles symptoms after three people visited several locations over multiple days while infectious. Plane and bus passengers have potentially been exposed to measles after a return Read More...
Decades-long flesh eating ulcer mystery solved
Date of Posting: 24-01-2024
A long-running medical mystery has finally been solved, with Melbourne researchers confirming mosquitoes carry the bacteria that causes flesh-eating Buruli ulcers. The insects have long been suspected as carriers but scientist working on the study Read More...
More than 10,000 spared GP visit under new trials
Date of Posting: 24-01-2024
Women running short on the contraceptive pill have jumped at new trials loosening restrictions that forced them into busy GP clinics. The trials in Victoria, NSW and the ACT began in late 2023 and allow eligible women already prescribed the pill t Read More...
Hopes of a peanut allergy treatment within five years
Date of Posting: 23-01-2024
There's hope a new and effective treatment for peanut allergies could be registered in Australia within five years. Scientists are seeking children aged four to 17 to take part in the phase two trial in clinics across Australia and the United Read More...
Disadvantaged regions at risk of dental decay
Date of Posting: 23-01-2024
Disadvantaged regions of Queensland are more at risk of dental decay because of a lack of fluoride in their water supply, a study has found. It has prompted calls for the Queensland government to reclaim water fluoridation responsibility.[subscrib Read More...
