Small amounts of regular exercise make a difference
Want the health benefits of exercising, but aren’t too keen on pounding the pavement or pumping iron every day? New research may be able to narrow down just how many times per week you need to exercise to make it worth your while. Exercising every day for just 20 minutes may be more effective than […]
Expansion of mental health safe spaces in communities
There is a growing momentum for the creation of community-based safe spaces for people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crises, as an alternative to visiting hospitals and emergency departments. In Australia, some safe spaces have been established, however many are housed within or near hospitals. Hospitals come with many barriers when it comes to responding […]
Industrial relations expert supports reform to gig economy, labour hire
New protections are needed to account for the emergence of the gig economy and the rise of labour hire operators, says an Australian academic in Industrial Relations who has given evidence to the Senate Inquiry into the Closing Loopholes Bill. “The Closing Loopholes Bill will help address wide cracks in Australia’s regulatory framework, which have […]
Monovalent vs Bivalent Vaccines for COVID-19
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised the Australian Government regarding the use of new monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines for eligible recipients. The new monovalent vaccines will be available from 11 December 2023, coinciding with the expected rise in COVID-19 cases over the holiday period. With a relatively large number of people with […]
Elective surgery backlog causing long waiting times
Public sector elective surgery waiting times are at the highest level in 20 years despite an increase in surgeries performed in the past year. Elective surgery waiting times were at the highest level in 20 years during 2022–23 as public hospitals worked to catch up following pandemic-related delays that arose due to disruptions in the […]
The Importance of Enrolled Nurses in Aged Care: Results of a National Aged Care Survey
According to the latest workforce census, there were around 17,000 Enrolled nurses (ENs) working across Australia’s aged care sector in 2020.1 Enrolled nurses are fundamental members of aged care teams and their work contributes valuably to the care of many older people around Australia.2 Many ENs are highly experienced health professionals and provide important leadership […]
Have your say on the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinical Care Standard
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is seeking feedback on the draft Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinical Care Standard. The Commission developed the draft clinical care standard in collaboration with consumers, clinicians, researchers, and healthcare services. The standard aims to improve care for people living with COPD, a serious chronic […]
Federal Court ruling on telehealth and voluntary assisted dying a ‘blow to terminally ill people’
We call upon federal MPs to listen to the expert voices and not those with vested interests in stifling access to VAD,” VADANZ president, Dr Cameron McLaren said. “It is important to note that in every Australian state in which VAD is active (Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland), the respective Voluntary Assisted […]
Digital camera and AI algorithm can now detect facial palsy
Computer scientists have developed a new diagnostic tool using artificial intelligence (AI) and a digital camera to detect facial palsy, with 98% accuracy, including the patient’s gender and age. Researchers from Iraq and Australia say the tool can reduce diagnostic errors that often occur with the common and treatable neurological disorder, caused by an impairment […]
Further evidence on benefits of delayed cord clamping
New research lends further weight to the benefits of delayed cord clamping, finding waiting for at least two minutes to clamp the umbilical cord of premature babies at birth could decrease a child’s risk of death. Waiting for two minutes or longer to clamp the umbilical cord of a premature baby soon after birth could […]