News Articles
DNA donation law passes parliament
Date of Posting: 31-03-2022
Federal parliament has legalised partial DNA donations capable of stopping deadly mitochondrial disease in babies. The laws have been labelled as game changing, with the treatment replacing mitochondrial DNA from the mother with healthy mitochondr Read More...
Avocados cut heart disease risk
Date of Posting: 31-03-2022
Eating two or more servings of avocado every week cuts the risk of heart disease by a fifth, according to a new study. Experts found that one avocado a week (equivalent to two servings) appears to slash the risks of coronary heart disease by 21 pe Read More...
Woman with MS slipped through health gaps
Date of Posting: 31-03-2022
A woman with multiple sclerosis who died at home from malnutrition and sepsis weighing just 30 kilograms had slipped through the gaps of the health system, an inquiry has been told. The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitati Read More...
Billions set aside for COVID winter fight
Date of Posting: 30-03-2022
Billions will be spent on helping Australia to prepare for a predicted COVID-19 surge this winter, while out-of-pocket prescription costs will also be reduced for more than two million people. However, the country's peak medical body has label Read More...
Qld psychologist jailed for Medicare rort
Date of Posting: 30-03-2022
A respected Queensland psychologist who used the names of patients' family members to receive almost $110,000 from bogus bulk bill claims has been jailed. Jeanette Brennan, 66, made 1381 false Medicare claims for more than 18 months up to May Read More...
Diabetes drug link to birth defects
Date of Posting: 30-03-2022
One of the world's most widely prescribed diabetes drugs may be linked to major birth defects in the offspring of male patients who were taking it ahead of the babies being conceived, according to a new study from Denmark. Metformin, among the Read More...
One in four children now fully vaccinated
Last Updated: 30-03-2022
Nearly one-quarter of children aged five to 11 years have received their second COVID-19 vaccine. The latest vaccination figures show just under 25 per cent of the age group have completed their primary vaccination course, and over half have recei Read More...
NSW paramedics set for industrial action
Date of Posting: 29-03-2022
NSW paramedics are preparing for industrial action to pressure the state government for better conditions and resources. The Australian Paramedics Association says it will ban staff movements and undertaking scheduled non-urgent transfers for 24 h Read More...
Spain moves to treat COVID-19 like flu
Date of Posting: 29-03-2022
Spain is moving to treat a coronavirus infection similarly to an illness such as influenza. From Monday, those who become infected with COVID-19 and develop only mild symptoms of the disease - or none at all - can continue to lead a normal life.[s Read More...
Boost for ACT's mental recovery from virus
Date of Posting: 28-03-2022
The federal and ACT governments have signed a $38 million agreement to boost mental health and suicide prevention services as part of the territory's pandemic recovery. The funding comes as local airlines move to take advantage of the federal Read More...
Jobseekers choosing careers in health care
Date of Posting: 28-03-2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a record surge of young Australians wanting to work in the healthcare industry - more than any other sector. One in five young Australian jobseekers is eyeing a career in health, according to a survey of 5000 pe Read More...
Critical cystic fibrosis drug now on PBS
Date of Posting: 27-03-2022
Thousands of people living with a life-threatening disorder will have access to a ground-breaking drug at a fraction of the price after it was placed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme. More than 2000 people living with cystic fibrosis will be Read More...
Knocks leave NRL star with dementia
Date of Posting: 27-03-2022
A few knocks to the head is considered par for the course if you're a professional rugby league player. Former Newcastle Knights winger James McManus figures he took at least 25 over his career. His wife Eshia estimates double that.[subscribe] Read More...
More restrictions eased in travel reboot
Date of Posting: 27-03-2022
International tourists are being urged to book Down Under flights, as restrictions are further eased in a bid to reboot Australia's pandemic-ravaged travel sector. Nearly two years of border restrictions have crippled the once thriving industr Read More...
SA eyes mask removal, eases COVID-19 rules
Date of Posting: 27-03-2022
South Australia will slash COVID-19 quarantine periods and classify fewer people as close contacts while also setting an end date for mask mandates. Newly elected Premier Peter Malinauskas says barring a significant change in circumstances, mask-w Read More...
Epilepsy a hidden burden for Aussie women
Date of Posting: 27-03-2022
Justine Knott woke in the middle of the night to a loud explosion and felt terror course through her body. She grabbed her then nine-year-old from his bed, dragged him to the back of the house and locked him in the laundry before running back to c Read More...
Latest health advice on COVID-19 pandemic
Date of Posting: 27-03-2022
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC * Top health advisers have given the green light to a fourth vaccine jab for certain groups.[subscribe] * Adults aged 65 and over, Indigenous Australians 50 years or over, aged care and disability reside Read More...
Fourth Japanese encephalitis case in Qld
Date of Posting: 25-03-2022
Queensland has recorded a fourth human case of Japanese encephalitis, taking Australia's total number of known or probable cases to 32. Queensland Health had listed four virus cases as of Monday, but the latest case wasn't widely publicise Read More...
Japanese encephalitis PCR tests available
Last Updated: 25-03-2022
People in NSW worried about mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis should feel reassured that accurate tests are available to detect the virus, a specialist says. "Tests are readily available in laboratories around Australia, very accurate test Read More...
Fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose approved
Date of Posting: 25-03-2022
Vulnerable and older Australians will soon be able to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended a second booster be administered for Australians over 65, Indigenous Australians over Read More...
Qld minister defends ambulance services
Date of Posting: 24-03-2022
Queensland's Health Minister says paramedic fatigue is a concern but has accused the opposition of trying to mislead the public by "cherry picking" the state's ambulance data. The Liberal National Party on Wednesday released more Read More...
Youth mental health focus set for budget
Date of Posting: 24-03-2022
Scott Morrison has sought to make health funding a priority in the upcoming federal budget, as Labor cast doubt on the shelf life of the government's economic plans. The prime minister announced $260 million would go towards mental health for Read More...
Survey shows family stress during COVID
Date of Posting: 24-03-2022
Grazia Pezzimenti, 32, was pregnant with her third child during Melbourne's lockdowns in 2020. "It was a very different experience to previously, much more isolating - the virus was a big unknown," she told AAP.[subscribe] Ms Pezz Read More...
Caring for the carers using emotional freedom technique EFT
Last Updated: 24-03-2022
As nurses, we face numerous stressors daily. We feel these stressors deeply, yet they are unacknowledged. And because they go unspoken, we are not good at showing compassion to ourselves or others. I believe this contributes to the overall dissati Read More...
Vaccine-induced cells boost COVID immunity
Date of Posting: 23-03-2022
Australian researchers have found vaccine-induced T cells can provide more than a year's worth of immunity to COVID-19. A Doherty Institute study, published in the Nature Immunology journal on Wednesday, has shown the body's T cells provid Read More...
Push for endometriosis centre in Victoria
Date of Posting: 23-03-2022
A Victorian MP is calling for $35 million to set up Australia's first specialised endometriosis centre, to provide better outcomes for patients and enhance research into the disorder. To coincide with Endometriosis Awareness Month in March, Re Read More...
Doctors and nurses worldwide point to roadmap to future-proof healthcare
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
Thousands of doctors and nurses from across the globe have revealed exactly what it will take to fill gaps and future-proof today’s healthcare system, in a new report from Elsevier Health. Published two years after the COVID-19 pandemic bega Read More...
Midwifery - empowering families on their parenthood journey
Last Updated: 22-03-2022
For NSW-based midwife Astra Joynt, her work is about much more than just caring for women giving birth. It’s about developing relationships with families, and setting up their first chapter of parenthood in the most positive way possible. &l Read More...
Alarming snapshot of workers' mental health through pandemic
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
The mental health of workers’ took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic – and a new study has confirmed this was influenced by a combination of remote-working, isolation, income loss, unemployment, and burnout. “Think about the men Read More...
Vital role nurses play in crises needs recognition
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
Nurses are best equipped to lead strategies managing catastrophic events because of their real-time, hands-on experience of dealing with the challenging unfolding situations present. A new report from Health Professionals Bank and the Australian C Read More...
COVID-19 claims its youngest victim in NSW
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
Parents are being urged to vaccinate their children for COVID-19 after the virus claimed the life of a healthy two-year-old Sydney child. Deputy Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale announced the toddler's death on Monday, saying the child had n Read More...
NSW paramedics, nurses push for pay rise
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
NSW paramedics are pushing for a 10 per cent or higher pay rise as well as an additional 2000 staff to turn around deteriorating ambulance response times across the state. Industrial action by paramedics on Monday meant they refused to leave their Read More...
Indigenous suicide rate 'national tragedy'
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
Ingidenous people are dying of suicide at more than double the rate of the non-Indigenous Australians and it is a national tragedy, the federal government says. The Commonwealth and the Northern Territory government will spend $43 million over the Read More...
Health practitioners' role in eliminating family violence - a survivor's story
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
Trigger warning: Some readers may find this article distressing. If you need support because of sexual assault, domestic or family violence you can call 1800 RESPECT for 24/7 phone and online services. If you, a child, or another person is in immedia Read More...
One-in-five young people have tried vaping
Last Updated: 22-03-2022
More than one in five young adults have tried vaping, as large numbers of the cohort shun tobacco smoking, according to new figures. Data released on Monday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed 21.7 per cent of those between 18 to 24 ha Read More...
Paramedics to launch NSW industrial action
Date of Posting: 22-03-2022
Hundreds of "under-resourced" NSW paramedics will ratchet up an industrial campaign against the state government by refusing to leave their posts to fill gaps at other ambulance stations. The 24-hour action on Monday means paramedics acr Read More...
Mental health to be key budget focus
Date of Posting: 21-03-2022
Support for mental health will be one the key planks of the federal budget in just over a week's time, Health Minister Greg Hunt says. Mr Hunt says mental health is one of the four pillars of Australia's long-term national health plan.[sub Read More...
The simmering fury over rural health
Date of Posting: 20-03-2022
The emotion in Dr Martin Kelly's voice soars above the buzzing and crackling phone line from remote South Australia. He describes life as a GP in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara indigenous communities to a group of politicians sitting in Read More...
Aussies a tad smile shy, research shows
Date of Posting: 20-03-2022
Peace begins with a smile and offering one is free therapy, so the sayings go. However research reveals Australians might be feeling a little apprehensive about flashing a mask-less grin now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased.[subscribe] Com Read More...
Moderna seeks US approval for 2nd booster
Date of Posting: 19-03-2022
Moderna has sought emergency use authorisation with US health regulators for a second COVID-19 booster shot for all adults, as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic. The company's request comes Read More...
