Investigation into Gold Coast X-ray Reporting
14 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithNews of a long-running failure in the routine x-ray reporting of Gold Coast patients’ will be the centre of an independent investigation, ordered by Queensland Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg.
New President of RACGP
14 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithWestern Australian GP, Adjunct Associate Professor Frank Jones was today announced President-elect of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and has vowed to place general practice at the heart of public dialogue.
Chris O'Brien Lifehouse Recognised with Two Global Healthcare Design Awards
14 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithChris O'Brien Lifehouse, the first integrated Cancer Centre in Australia, has been recognised with two significant global healthcare design awards, and is one of four shortlisted health projects at the 2014 World Architecture Festival.
RCPA Warns of Errors with HIV Self-tests
14 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithFollowing this week’s announcement by Health Minister, The Hon Peter Dutton, regarding the legalisation of HIV self-tests in Australia, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) calls for a cautious introduction of these tests and a comprehensive education campaign for potential users.
Better patient pathways in medical radiation sciences
14 July, 2014 by ahhbToday the use of ionising radiation for medical imaging and radiation therapy is such a core part of both diagnosis and treatment that much is taken for granted. It is commonly seen as a small part of the total hospital experience and yet there has been an extraordinary evolution both in the technology available and the techniques used by trained practitioners. The impact of these advances is significant, with new imaging techniques being constantly applied across the medical specialties, writes David Collier.
Scientists Identify Mutations in Pancreatic and Ovarian Cancers
09 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithScientists have succeeded in identifying the major underlying mutations in pancreatic and ovarian cancers, two of Australia’s most ruthless cancers.
Healthcare Infrastructure Boost in WA
08 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithTwenty-six small hospitals and nursing posts in the Central Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions of Western Australia will be upgraded as part of a major $325.8million healthcare infrastructure boost. Health Minister Kim Hames and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman today announced $108.8million of funding for a range of health projects as part of the State Government’s Southern Inland Health Initiative (SIHI). Dr Hames said work on the hospital upgrades and nursing posts was expected to start before the end of the year and be complete late in 2016. “Community consultations and planning will continue to be undertaken to determine what works will be carried out to the small hospitals and nursing posts,” he said. “In some cases the works may involve infrastructure upgrades and may include an upgrade to the existing facility, this will be determined during the planning and consultation phase.” Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said planning for health reform has been under way since 2011 and a number of milestones had been reached to date. “These include the installation of Telehealth strategy across the region, an attraction strategy to increase the number of General Practitioners in regional towns, a 24/7 roster in larger emergency departments and an Emergency Telehealth Service,” Mr Redman said. The $325.8million SIHI investment will involve $173.7million worth of upgrades to six district hospitals, $108.8million for upgrades and refurbishment of small hospitals and nursing posts and a further $43.3million towards the Primary Health Care Demonstration Site program, with the first two sites in Pingelly and Cunderdin under way. The towns to benefit from the small hospital and nursing post refurbishment are: Wheatbelt Lake Grace; Wagin; Dalwallinu; Jurien Bay; Moora; York; Southern Cross; Boddington; Dumbleyung; Beverley; Wundowie; Wyalkatchem; Goomalling; Wongan Hills; Bruce Rock; Kellerberrin; Kununoppin; Quairading; Corrigin; Narembeen; Kondinin; Mukinbudin and Williams Great Southern Kojonup; Gnowangerup and Tambellup
Speech Pathology Australia: Communication is a Basic Right for all Australians
07 July, 2014 by Ryan MccannSpeech Pathology Australia’s submission to the Senate Inquiry can be found at speechpathologyaustralia.org.au. A high number of individual and organisation submissions were also received by the Senate Committee. Hearings will be conducted in the near future, with a report and recommendations to Government to follow. Further information may also be obtained from www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/ Community_Affairs/Speech_ Pathology.
New Academic Health Sciences Centre at Macquarie University
07 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithIn a step to establish an Academic Health Sciences Centre, Macquarie University has created a new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
No Changes to Nurses' Health Assessment Items
07 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithThe government has responded to calls from APNA and other health bodies to revise their explanation of the contribution of nurse time to MBS health assessment items.
IHHC Food Safety Program Guide Review
07 July, 2014 by ahhbThe IHHC Food Safety Program Guide was developed over many years by a team of people who work in healthcare hospitality and understand the difficulties of mastering the development, implementation, monitoring, verification and ongoing upkeep of a food safety program. Following a recent review of the Guide, Gary Kennedy takes us through the changes.
Free Toolkit Could Revolutionise Menopause Diagnosis and Treatment
07 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithA free and simple toolkit for GPs could revolutionise menopause diagnosis and treatment.
The environment and hand hygiene - The two go hand in hand
04 July, 2014 by ahhbAll healthcare workers play a part in infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. The slogan ‘infection control is everybody’s business’ has been used by infection prevention and control professionals to promote key messages to healthcare workers over many years. This catch phrase is still relevant today, if not more so, in relation to measures such as hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness, writes Annie Wells.
Researchers Take a Giant Leap Towards Bio-printing Transplantable Tissues and organs
03 July, 2014 by Petrina SmithThe University of Sydney has reported researchers have made a giant leap towards the goal of 'bio-printing' transplantable tissues and organs for people affected by major diseases and trauma injuries.
UQ Researchers Working on Vaccine Against Strep Throat
30 June, 2014 by Petrina SmithResearchers are one step closer to developing a safe vaccine against strep throat, which is responsible for more than 700 million infections and 500,000 deaths each year.
