Brain Training Best Under Supervision

Research on brain training by the University of Sydney's  Regenerative Neuroscience Group shows computer-based systems can boost memory and thinking skills in older adults.

ACCC Announces Decision on Medical Schools' Preference and Interview Policies

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)  has issued a final decision re-authorising policies that  govern the selection and interviewing of applicants to study medicine at Australian graduate-entry medical schools.

New Report on Emergency Department Utilisation By People with Cancer

With very little information on how and why people with cancer visit an emergency department available,  a new report by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) and the Cancer Institute NSW has shed light on the subject.

Antibiotic Resistance Affecting Oral Health

As part of the National Prescribing Service’s Antibiotics Awareness Week (17–23 November), the Australian Dental Association (ADA) is calling on health professionals and patients to take the pledge to exercise care in the prescription of antibiotics.

One in Four Australians have Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes or Chronic Kidney Disease

Laser Treatment Helps Slow Age-Related Macular Degeneration

A new, low impact low energy laser treatment for patients with early age-related macular degeneration has produced positive results by reducing indicators of the disease.    Researchers from the University of Melbourne found unlike other laser treatments, this new faster laser did not result in damage to the retina, the sensitive light detecting tissue at the back of the eye.    Associate Professor Erica Fletcher from the university's department of Anatomy and Neuroscience said this was the first report detailing how this new laser treatment may improve eye health in those with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the early stages, the disease is characterised by the presence of small fatty deposits called drusen and thickening in a membrane at the back of the eye.   Published this week in Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), the study explores how this laser may help in limiting retinal disease, showing that it improved the health of important supporting cells at the back of the eye.     “These findings suggest treating people with AMD  with this new nanosecond laser reduces signs of the disease. Importantly, unlike other lasers currently used to treat eye disease, the nanosecond laser does not result in damage to the sensitive retina,” she said.   The study also showed evidence that nanosecond laser treatment in one eye can also produce positive effects in the other untreated eye. This raises the possibility that monocular treatment may be sufficient to treat disease in both eyes.   AMD affects one in seven people over the age of 50 with the incidence increasing in age. It is responsible for 48 per cent of severe vision loss in Australia with an estimated 17,700 new cases each year.    This research was conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) through the ongoing Laser intervention in Early Age-related macular Degeneration (LEAD) study and the laser is manufactured in Australia.

Urgent Action Needed to Curb Antibiotic Resistance in Australia

Research which shows that misconceptions about antibiotics continue to drive inappropriate patient and doctor behaviour has drawn comment from NPS MedicineWise in Antibiotic Awareness Week.

New Standard for Clinical Care to Help in Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance

With around 22 million prescriptions written every year in primary care alone, Australia has one of the highest rates of antibiotic use in the developed world.

Professor Sharon Lewin Named Melburnian of the Year

Exceptional Tasmania Pharmacists Honoured

Pharmacist, Professor Gregory Peterson is winner of the inaugural Tasmanian pharmacy Lifetime Achievement Award and Luciana Torrents is the inaugural Tasmanian Pharmacist of the Year.

Fiona Stanley Hospital In Second Phase of Opening

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. 

WA Health Excellence Awards Announced

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 Make International Breakthroughs

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

AMA Victoria Welcomes Changes to Medical Treatment Act

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

Wikipedia Could Forecast Global Disease Outbreaks

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.