Five carers have been announced as the inagural winners of the National Carer Awards, recognising the work they do to help people reach their full potential. [ + ]

Fiona Stanley Hospital has entered its second phase of opening by providing an expanded range of clinical services to patients from today.   Following the official opening of the new flagship hospital in October,WA Health Minister Kim Hames said Phase 2 would see an increase of patients in the main hospital, with two co-located wards opening on level five to provide care for general medical and surgical patients.   “Phase 2 will really maximise use of resources, staff and clinical capacity as more services become operational,” Dr Hames said. “The hospital will then prepare for the opening of the maternity and neonatal services, which are moving from Kaleeya Hospital in December.”   The Minister said Phase 2 would specifically see the start of selected general medical, surgical, orthopaedic and anaesthetic services.   “Up to 20 patients will move into the general medical ward today from Kaleeya Hospital, and we will also see the first surgical procedure take place in the state-of-the-art operating theatres tomorrow,” he said.   Dr Hames said the hospital had been running smoothly for the past six weeks, with excellent feedback from staff, visitors and patients in the 140-bed State Rehabilitation Service.  [ + ]

Known for his work in bridging the gap between patient care and technology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre operations manager, Thomas Tuchyna, was selected from a distinguished field to win the  WA Health Minister’s Award. [ + ]

Queensland researchers have made an international breakthrough that could drastically improve the treatment of leukaemia patients. [ + ]

As it stands, the law does not ensure that patients are able to make decisions about their future health conditions. [ + ]

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Research published in PLOS Computational Biology has suggested that Wikipedia articles could make it possible to monitor and forecast increases and outbreaks of diseases around the world. [ + ]

The impact of falls on individuals and the community is far reaching. The social impact of reduced independence through fear, the potential for loss of independence and the increased burden on families can be significant. [ + ]

Urban planners have a bigger role to play in fighting obesity according to health and urban research experts at the University of Melbourne. [ + ]

Concerned with how a co-payment will affect those with a mental illness, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RNZCP) is calling on non-Government Senators to oppose the proposed Budget measures. [ + ]

AMA Victoria is calling on major political parties to put tobacco reform back on the agenda and in election campaigns.  [ + ]

Asbestos is a problem not restricted to construction workers, former hospital workers have come out and said in an interview with the ABC's 7.30 Report. [ + ]

Three young scientists who are likely to have a big impact on future medical research have been awarded Australia's most prestigious mid-career medical research fellowships. [ + ]

The Bureau of Health Information (BHI) has reported the results of a patient survey involving more than 35,000 patients about their experience of care in NSW public hospitals during 2013.   BHI Chief Executive, Dr Jean-Frederic Levesque, said the patient survey gathered information about patients’ experience of care at 80 NSW public hospitals. [ + ]

Research from the University of Adelaide has found that Country South Australians with colorectal cancer that has spread to other areas of the body are receiving equal surgical care and have the same survival rates as those living in the city. [ + ]