National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill to Be Debated in the Senate

With the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2014 being debated in the Senate this week, the The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is arguing Australians already pay too much for their medicines.

Emergency Department Nurses are a Special Breed

Simulation Could Offer Beneficial Training Opportunities for Surgeons

Simulation could offer beneficial training opportunities for surgeons with many participants in multidisciplinary sessions offering positive feedback, an article in the latest Australia and New Zealand Journal of Surgery has found.

Why Australian Governments Need to Respond to the Social Determinants of Health

Three prominent leaders from the very different spheres of business, Indigenous affairs and health delivered a joint address to the National Press Club today, entitled A Year of Nothing - Why Australian Governments need to respond to the social determinants of health.

DNA Sequencing Used to Identify Individual Causes of Lupus

[caption id="attachment_9000" align="alignright" width="844"] Dr Julia Ellyard[/caption]

Primary Health Care Services Review Announced

Pain Treatments Less Effective for those with Irritable Bowel

Researchers have discovered  the immune system is defective in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, which is a major reason why sufferers have ongoing issues with pain.

Early Life Nutrition Report Highlights Importance of Diet Before, During and After Giving Birth

Mothers should consider their nutrition during pre-conception, pregnancy and before a child turns three to help protect against the threat of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and allergy in later life, according to a new Early Life Nutrition Report

AMA Welcomes Shrinking Elective Surgery Wait Lists, but Transparency Still Lacking

AMA Victoria has welcomed today’s State Government announcement that elective surgery waiting lists are at a four year low, but ongoing data transparency is still needed for Victorians still waiting for surgery. 

Intensive Care Fatalities linked to After Hours Discharge

Patients who are discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) after-hours have a higher chance of death than those discharged during the day, according to a new study published in Intensive Care Medicine.

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria on the Rise Across Australia

A national study led by University of Adelaide researchers has confirmed that antibiotic resistant strains of disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, are steadily on the rise in Australia.

Improving efficiency of operating theatres

The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Surgical Services Taskforce (SST) is working with clinicians and managers to improve the efficiency of operating theatres and access to emergency and elective surgery in NSW public hospitals, writes Professor Donald MacLellan.

Arthritis is One of Australia's Most Expensive Diseases

Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions are Australia's fourth most expensive group of diseases, according to the newly released report  Health-care expenditure for arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions 2008-09.

Human error results in 200 false death notices

Human error has been provided as the reason erroneous death notices were generated for 200 patients being discharged from Austin Hospital in Melbourne recently. The problem occurred on 30 July when a computer file was saved to the wrong location, substituting the death notice for the standard patient discharge form. "Austin Health automatically notifies GPs when their patients are discharged from hospital," Austin Health communications director Taryn Sheehy said. "Notifications sent in the early hours of Wednesday, 30th July, incorrectly advised GPs that their patients, who had been discharged the previous day from the Austin Hospital, had died. Ms Sheehy said the fault was recognised within hours and all affected GP clinics were then notified. She added it was not linked to the introduction of a new booking system. "We apologised unreservedly to affected clinics who, for the most part, were very understanding about the error," Ms Sheehy said.

Research Activities Launched at Fiona Stanley Hospital

With less than two months until the first patients enter Fiona Stanley Hospital  in Western Australia, a major milestone has been realised with the launch of research activities. Health Minister Kim Hames launched the Warren Jones Institute  for Community Health and Medical Research, established as a joint endeavour withthe $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital to raise funds and provide financial support for medical research, scholarships and research education.