Griffith Uni Working in Partnership with Gold Coast University Hospital

Health Expenditure Exceeded $140 Billion in 2011 - 12

More than $140 billion was spent on health in Australia in 2011-12, according to the report Health Expenditure Australia 2011 - 2012, released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Measles Alert in NSW

NSW Health has issued a measles alert after three young men were confirmed to have been in the community while infectious with measles in the last week. Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health said that measles is highly contagious among people who are not fully immunised. “Measles is highly infectious and is spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red, blotchy rash appears. Complications can range from an ear infection and diarrhoea to pneumonia or swelling of the brain,” Dr Sheppeard said. She advised that the three young men (aged 25 - 35 years) have recently spent time in Earlwood, Hurlstone Park, Alexandria and Waterloo, while potentially infectious with measles. The men also visited local medical centres in Rozelle, Croydon, Rockdale as well as the Royal Prince Alfred Emergency Department while infectious during the past week. The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically around 10 days but can be as long as 21 days, so there may be other cases in the community now or people who will be developing symptoms over the next few weeks.

Robinson Institute Appoints New Director

Newly appointed Director of the University of Adelaide's Robinson Institute, Professor Sarah Robertson,  will continue to support world-class research into pregnancy and child health, focussing on preventing preterm birth.

Diabetes Drug Proving to Have Beneficial Effects

Monash University's Eastern Clinical Research Unit is leading research on investigating the beneficial side of a new glocuse-regulating medication for diabetes sufferers.

Majority of Older Patients Return Home After Hospital Stays

The majority of older patients return home after hospital stays according to a report released  by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Adelaide Researchers Make Major Discovery in Breast Cancer Risk

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have made a major discovery that highlights the important role played by immune cells in the risk of developing breast cancer.

New GS1 Standard Helps Stop Medication Errors

GS1 Healthcare work group has developed a new GS1 standard which will provide guidance on how to identify healthcare products at the single unit level.

Researchers Identify Molecular Pathway of Untreatable Neurodegenerative Diseases

Researchers from the University of Adelaide have identified a likely molecular pathway  of untreatable neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Leading Hospital Designer Joins Hassell

International design practice Hassell has appointed noted health architect Sheree Proposch as it undertakes hospital projects across Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom and the Middle East.

Health leads the Way in Scrap the Cap Campaign

When the Federal Government announced plans to introduce a $2000 cap on self-education, the health profession was quick to react. Within days, a campaign was building, and shortly after the business and professional community joined the throng. The Scrap the Cap Alliance now has more than 70 organisations and 24,000 individuals calling for action and has had early success with the Government deferring its implementation for 12 months. While this is positive, there is still work to be done.

A national approach to NBN enabled telehealth

Serving Older Australians is one of the demonstration projects funded under the NBN Pilot site program. Rod Young writes that it aims to develop a model of home-based supported clinical monitoring with the intent of demonstrating the capacity of individuals to become actively engaged in the management of their care and services.

Dementia Awareness Week - Links Between Chronic Diseases and Dementia

Visiting Dementia Awareness Week lecturer, Dr Kristine Yaffe, says there needs to be greater public awareness of the dangerous links between dementia and some of the country’s most serious chronic diseases that affect millions of Australians.

Research shows Diets are Doomed to Fail for Obese People

The way the stomach detects and tells our brains how full we are becomes damaged in obese people, leading researchers to believe that diets are doomed to fail for obese people.

New Website Provides Positive Treatment for Amphetamine Users

A new free online service has been launched by Griffith University to overcome negative impacts and provide treatment for amphetamine users.