Western Australia Mental Health Minister Helen Morton has described new mental health legislation as an historic step in strengthening the rights and protection of some of the state's most vulnerable people. [ + ]

Concerns about practitioner regulation for professions outside of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme are being discussed throughout Australia, writes executive officer of Allied Health Professions Australia, Lin Oke. The aim is to produce an evidence-based framework of minimum standards of practice. [ + ]

A technology project originally developed by researchers at The University of Western Australia has secured approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for its first drug. [ + ]

The AMA Council of Doctors in Training (AMACDT) is urging Australian Health Ministers to agree to start work on a new national medical training plan when they meet in November. [ + ]

The National Heart Foundation of Australia is supporting the renewed call to demand that telecommunications providers enable mobile location tracking, believing the measure will save lives. [ + ]

[caption id="attachment_5275" align="alignright" width="200"] Professor Colditz[/caption] [ + ]

Almost three-quarters of emergency department patients were 'seen on time' for their urgency (triage) category, according to the report Australian hospital statistics 2012-13: emergency department care. The report, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), shows the number of emergency department visits that were 'seen on time'-meaning treatment was received from a medical officer or nurse within an appropriate time for the urgency category-rose from 70% to 73% between 2008-09 and 2012-13. [ + ]

Blood and Blood Products; Preventing and Managing Pressure Injuries; Recognising and Responding to Clinical Deterioration in Acute Health Care [ + ]

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) is using the lead up to the International Day of Radiology to put the issue of regularly screening heavy smokers in a bid to reduce the toll of lung cancer, on the agenda. [ + ]

Chronic kidney disease death and hospitalisation rates are generally higher outside the major cities in Australia, but especially so in remote areas and especially for women in remote areas, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). [ + ]

Australian designers have set a global benchmark by taking out the prestigious Future Health Project Award for their work on the new Queensland Children’s Hospital. [ + ]

“Today is World Food Day, 16th October. However, why does malnutrition and obesity coexist in Australia in 2013, when we should have one of the best food systems in the world?” asks Associate Professor Heather Yeatman, of the University of Wollongong and President of the PHAA. [ + ]

A Brisbane neurosurgeon has had enough of losing patients to brain tumours, despite having access to the best of medicine, and is turning her energy to raising funds for brain tumour research. [ + ]

Removing GST exemption from fresh fruit and vegetables could have huge implications for the health of Australians, warn researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ). [ + ]

We are witnessing a global move towards patient safety. Indeed, in the Australian healthcare sector, we are undergoing a period of great change which has been reflected in part by the new set of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards that became effective on January 1 2013, writes Professor Cathryn Murphy. [ + ]