Scientists Identify Mutations in Pancreatic and Ovarian Cancers

Scientists 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

Twenty-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

Speech 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

In 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

The 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.

Growth in Disability Support Services Slows

In 2012-13, an estimated 312,539 Australians accessed disability support services, although there was a drop in growth, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

IHHC Food Safety Program Guide Review

The 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

A free and simple toolkit for GPs could revolutionise menopause diagnosis and treatment.

The environment and hand hygiene - The two go hand in hand

All 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

The 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

Researchers 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.

LASA Says Government has Abandoned People with Dementia

[caption id="attachment_8406" align="alignright" width="133"] Patrick Reid[/caption]

Mater Private Wins Award for Lowering Food Wastage and Improving Patient Outcomes

New Collaboration will Boost Research and Development in MRI

[caption id="attachment_8582" align="alignright" width="200"] Professor Peter Høj and Toby Carrington sign the collaboration agreement between UQ and Siemens Siemens Australia that will boost research and development in MRI.[/caption]

NACCHO Expresses Concerns on COAG Reform Council Closure

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has expressed concern that the COAG Reform Council responsible for monitoring progress towards close the gap targets will close on 30 June.