Safety guidelines ignored before hospital fungus deaths
Protections for some of the sickest patients at a major hospital were not implemented before a construction-induced fungal infection claimed two lives.
health
High steaks: dwindling industry threatens food security
Farmers are having to send their livestock up to four hours' drive away to be processed, as limited access to local abattoirs raises food security concerns.
Big trucks and buses drive a heavy healthcare burden
Premature deaths and childhood asthma are among the health risks of allowing high-polluting heavy vehicles to travel on populated routes.
Homicide cops probe ‘distressing’ mental hospital death
A union is renewing its calls for action on staffing and safety concerns as police investigate the death of a patient at a mental hospital.
‘Horrified’: childcare giant’s abuse scandal response
Australia's largest for-profit childcare operator began overhauling hiring even before a former worker was charged with sexual abuse, an inquiry has been told.
Child safety system no place for kids: abuse survivor
A female survivor removed from an abusive home has told a child safety inquiry that she only experienced further abuse while in state care.
Illegal ciggies tipped to soon stub out retail sales
One of Australia's biggest retailers has warned nine in 10 cigarettes will be bought illegally by the end of the decade unless the tobacco excise is cut.
Zuckerberg denies at trial that Instagram targets kids
Mark Zuckerberg has sparred with lawyers in a Los Angeles courtroom as he defended Meta's practices in an unprecedented trial over youth social media addiction.
Insurer’s ‘failing’ health system warning as costs soar
Health insurer Medibank Private has lifted its interim bottom-line net profit after the number of Australians taking out policies increased.
‘Simple’ tax solution dismissed as illegal tobacco cure
Australia's surging illegal tobacco trade has sparked calls for changes to the cigarette excise but a leading bureaucrat says it's not the solution.
‘Game-changing’: ADHD sufferers to get diagnosis relief
Hundreds of thousands of people with ADHD will be able to bypass expensive psychologist visits to get a life-changing diagnosis under a new training scheme.
‘Time to deliver’: blame shifted on hospital bed block
While thousands of older Australians lie stranded in hospitals, the federal government has put responsibility for aged care squarely on states and territories.
Solo, queer parents-to-be facing donor sperm ‘drought’
Australians are facing a shortage of donor sperm, with advocates saying more consistent regulation is vital to keep would-be parents and children safe.
Not a real doctor: AI struggles to treat human patients
Tasked with identifying common medical conditions and recommending treatment, artificial intelligence can deliver deadly advice.
‘Too long’: green light for more GPs to tackle ADHD
States are continuing to shake up the way a prevalent developmental disorder is treated by allowing more health professionals to diagnose the condition.
Farmers sue mining giant over alleged ‘toxic trifecta’
Neighbours of Australia's biggest gold and copper mine allege dust from its tailings dam has poisoned their land, in a "disaster" for health and agriculture.
New headgear to be tested in world-first study
A world-first concussion and head impact study will assess the efficacy of a specially designed headgear during elite and community AFL and rugby games.
Rural water supplies struggling to cope after heatwave
Locals in one rural town are lining up in a pub car park to receive free bottled water, as parts of country Australia get a reprieve from an intense heatwave.
Towns deserted as locals seek relief from roasting heat
As parts of Australia bake under a relentless heatwave, locals have backup plans to keep cool as temperatures nudge record levels.
Cooling greenery overlooked lever to blunt heatwaves
Australia's southern states are facing unprecedented heat that researchers say could be tempered with a focus on revegetation and urban greening.
Locals dive for swim and shade as heatwave keeps grip
Australians are doing their best to stay safe indoors as a heatwave drags on, but for those on the land, work doesn't stop because it's too hot.
Alarm raised over vaccination rates in twin pregnancy
Pregnant women expecting twins are being encouraged to get the flu and whooping cough vaccines as they do not increase the risk of birth complications.
‘Long overdue’: states sign off on $25b hospital deal
An eleventh-hour agreement means states and territories will receive extra funding for public hospitals but health experts are calling for more reforms.
NDIS autism changes delayed as funding deal struck
Premiers and ministers have agreed to delay a program to get children with autism and developmental delay off the NDIS in a national cabinet meeting.
No concern over delay to kids’ autism program, says PM
Anthony Albanese insists a delay to an early intervention program for children with autism is about making sure the government gets it right.
Blood test could bolster brain cancer survival rates
Australian scientists have developed a diagnostic device that uses a patient's blood to analyse how deadly brain tumours are responding to medical treatment.
The chatbot will see you now: why AI is tackling health
After being swamped with medical questions, one AI firm is trialling a dedicated health service. Experts say more are coming and their prognosis is unclear.
Olympic legend, top silks score highest honours
Olympic legend Cathy Freeman is one of 10 people to receive the top honour at the annual Order of Australia awards.
Former politicians prosper in Australia Day honours
For their service to educational equity, economic development and public health, ex-politicians have been bestowed some of the nation's highest honours.
‘Selfless, remarkable’: pioneer and ex-governor dies
Dame Marie Bashir, the country-born daughter of immigrant doctors who rose to become one of NSW's longest serving and most revered governors, has died aged 95.
Urgent recall for hand sanitiser given to resort guests
A hand sanitiser gifted to hotel customers for over five years has been found to be contaminated with a toxic ingredient and has been urgently recalled.