Over-the-counter cannabis pain relief on the horizon
Australians may be able to buy cannabis pain relief without a prescription in about 12 months with final clinical trials underway for a dissolvable tablet.
health
PM issues ‘overdue’ apology to thalidomide survivors
The prime minister has delivered a formal apology on behalf of the government to the survivors and families affected by the drug thalidomide.
Health system coughs up almost $50b fighting COVID
Close to $50 billion was spent on the COVID-19 response, as Australians are warned they still need to be vaccinated against the virus.
Ex-surfing champ with ‘hours to live’ rescued by flight
An ex-surfing champion says he had hours to live after suffering a medical episode in Bali before being rescued by a crowd funded emergency flight to Australia.
Bacterial outbreak at hospitals sparks safety warning
Contaminated saline products used at hospitals are being recalled after the Therapeutic Goods Administration issued an alert following a bacterial outbreak.
Low vaccination rates prompt jab ‘surge’ plea
There's a plea for Australia to roll out vaccine 'surges' as the take up rate for jabs against serious diseases is lagging among high-risk groups.
More than 8000 WA patients to receive elective surgery
The Western Australian government will spend $40 million to slash the elective surgery waitlist that blew out during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Review underway at hospital after baby girl dies
Queensland's Health Minister says a clinical review is underway after parents raised questions about the death of their baby just hours after being born.
Home birth option for Queensland women in 2024
More Queensland women will soon have the option of giving birth at home, bringing the state into line with every Australian state except one.
SA puts deadline on silicosis-causing engineered stone
Engineered stone could soon be ditched in South Australia if a national ban is not enforced, with state and territory leaders set for further talks.
Ambulance ramping under spotlight after patient deaths
Queensland's health minister will bring together emergency department bosses to address ambulance ramping after two people died in as many days.
Plan to ease ambulance ramping unveiled after deaths
Queensland Health has revealed a five-point, $20 million plan to ease ambulance ramping following crisis talks with emergency department bosses.
Rewards of going rural, as doctors push for recognition
Young doctors are more likely to choose to live and work in country Australia if rural generalist medicine is recognised as a specialty, medical colleges say.
Opposition backs age verification for pornography
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has backed calls to implement age verification for viewing pornographic material online.
Pope has scan due to flu, lung complications ruled out
Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican after hospital tests ruled out lung complications resulting from a case of flu.
Electronic medical record glitch hits hospitals
Some staff have been forced to revert to pen and paper for hours to document clinical care after an electronic glitch hit hospitals across Queensland.
Call for national testing standard after Qld lab bungle
Queensland's attorney-general has backed the concept of a national standard for forensic testing after years of bungles at a state-run laboratory.
Brisbane mum dies after ambulance fails to arrive
A woman has died after Queensland paramedics failed to arrive, with Health Minister Shannon Fentiman calling the incident "unacceptable".
Rural residents have lower risk of dementia: study
Better access to nature and green spaces in the country may lower the risk of dementia, researchers say.
Reversing ‘zombie’ brain fog after COVID-19 infection
There's new insight into so-called 'zombie' cells that can age the brains of COVID-19 patients, contributing to brain fog and memory loss.
Hospital upgrades after granddad dies waiting for bed
Ipswich hospital west of Brisbane will get more beds after a grandfather died following a three-hour wait in an ambulance to be admitted.
Backlog after ‘flawed’ DNA testing could take years
Another DNA testing bungle has been exposed at Queensland's troubled forensic lab, meaning more than 100,000 samples might need to be re-tested.
Past due date: no solution to midwifery insurance gap
A gap in professional indemnity insurance for endorsed midwives has still not been fixed, a month after the Health Department was advised of the issue.
The AI will see you now: why tech is helping doctors
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in hospitals and doctors' offices but one expert says it's best used keeping doctors away from fax machines.
Man dies after waiting for hospital bed in ambulance
Queensland's health minister says a full clinical review is under way after a grandfather allegedly spent hours in an ambulance waiting for a hospital bed.
Heart patients hit the gym to dispel exercise warning
Heart patients who were told to avoid all exercise growing up have hit the gym in a bid to see if ignoring old advice could boost their health.
Paramedics issue new high stakes threat over pay deal
NSW paramedics have upped the ante in their pay battle, threatening to go 'nuclear' by letting their registrations lapse as the state heads into festive season.
Anti-vax bus driver jailed before cop assault sentence
A bus driver who refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and threw glass bottles and rocks at cops during a protest has been locked up ahead of his sentence.
Teen binge drinking rate down ahead of schoolies events
A federal government study has found a 15 per cent decrease in 14 to 24-year-olds participating in binge drinking over the past 12 months.
Car park build probed as source of fungus cluster
Construction of a car park at a Brisbane hospital is being looked at as a possible source for a fungus cluster that has affected five heart-transplant patients.
Qld braces for COVID cases as infection wave lifts
Cases of COVID-19 are expected to surge in Queensland over the next fortnight but the chief health officer has vehemently ruled out imposing a mask mandate.