Chief midwife, funding boost for Qld maternity services
The new role of a chief midwife and $4 million in annual funding are part of expanded maternity services in Queensland following protests by regional staff.
health
PCYC $56m boost for at-risk youth rolls out in QLD
Early intervention programs aimed at helping young people at risk of offending will benefit from a $56 million investment in PCYC facilities across Queensland.
British nurse murdered seven newborn babies
A neonatal nurse in a British hospital has been found guilty of murdering seven newborn babies and trying to kill another six babies.
Study casts doubt on benefits of blue light blockers
Researchers have cast a poor light on block blockers, warning the lenses seem to do little to protect the eyes from staring at screens.
Doctor fined $12,000 for assisted dying signature error
Victorian doctor Nick Carr has accepted a $12,000 fine for a clerical error, saying it shows the state's voluntary assisted dying laws are being scrutinised.
Hypertension linked to earlier cognitive risk in study
High blood pressure may lead to earlier cognitive decline, according to the results of an Australian study indicating "subtle but real" changes in cognition.
Boost for spinal unit after concerns about patient care
Queensland's only spinal unit will receive a $20 million boost towards "immediate" improvements following claims of poor patient treatment at the facility.
Doctors sound health alarm over gas expansion plans
Doctors have rallied at Parliament House against the expansion of Australia's gas industry, warning it will harm future generations.
Cheaper medicine policy to start, veto threat remains
Cheaper medicines and 60-day dispensing will go ahead as planned but a second push to veto the policy will come up for a vote just days after it starts.
Hospital shortages threaten local births for Vic women
Maternity services in Victoria's Geelong region are struggling to get enough staff, causing them to turn pregnant women away to other centres.
Rising child deaths spark hospital reports reform
A spike in preventable deaths and harm in Victorian hospitals will lead to the creation of an escalation system to allow parents to report their concerns.
Estia Health agrees to $959m takeover by Bain Capital
ASX300 aged-care operator Estia Health has agreed to be taken private by Bain Capital, the same Boston-based firm that owns Virgin Australia.
Cook of deadly suspected mushroom meal denies foul play
A woman at the centre of a deadly suspected mushroom poisoning of four people has spoken of her devastation and denied any wrongdoing.
Call for all states to make meningococcal vaccine free
Advocates want more states to make the meningococcal B vaccine free for children and teens after Queensland joined South Australia in adding it to its program.
Childhood trauma linked to pregnancy complications
Women whose childhoods involved domestic violence, maltreatment or substance abuse at home are more at risk of complications during pregnancy, researchers say.
Site for Victoria’s first sobering-up centre revealed
Victoria's government has revealed key details of its health-based approach to public drunkenness, with a facility to provide a safe place for sobering up.
Pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tracts
Pharmacists in Western Australia have the green light to prescribe antibiotics for urinary tract infections in women, prompting backlash from doctors.
Firefighters’ compo laws expanded to include 20 cancers
Western Australia's government has announced presumptive laws will be expanded to allow firefighters to be compensated if they develop eight additional cancers.
Wally Lewis CTE ’90 per cent certain’ after shock scans
Broncos hooker Billy Walters says the NRL is acting appropriately to prevent CTE, after Wally Lewis was diagnosed with a probable case of the form of dementia.
Australian cattle tested to prove no ‘disease risk’
Australia's chief vet has reassured Indonesian authorities that Australia remains free of the potentially deadly lumpy skin disease.
One in two to have mental health disorder by 75: study
Researchers are calling for targeted programs after an Australian-led global study found half the population will experience mental health disorders by age 75.
Study proves air filters help deal with bushfire smoke
A CSIRO study has shown air purifiers that target very fine particles do a good job of boosting air quality when bushfires take hold.
Donors needed for woman with very rare blood type
An Adelaide mother with an extremely rare blood type is hoping for members of the public with the same blood to donate so she can have lifesaving surgery.
Thousands roll up sleeves for free flu vaccinations
Queenslanders are answering pleas from health officials to get vaccinated against the flu, especially the severe B strain that continues to take hold.
Paramedics being poached but NSW won’t raise pay offer
Paramedics in NSW say a four per cent pay rise offer is not enough and have resumed industrial action to make their point to the state government
Homebirths to be introduced at Royal Women’s Hospital
Victoria's publicly funded homebirth program will be expanded to three extra hospitals, including the Royal Women's Hospital, the state government says.
‘Business as usual’: Closing the Gap efforts inadequate
Australia is failing to make meaningful progress in implementing key priority reforms to improve the lives of Indigenous people.
Warning of lingering harm amid rural pediatric squeeze
The children's health charity Royal Far West is warning of worsening complex developmental conditions as families wait years to see specialists.
Footballer Shane Tuck ‘heard voices before his death’
Former footballer and professional boxer Shane Tuck heard voices and had mental health concerns for years, an inquest into his death has been told.
Falling cases put Australia on brink of eliminating HIV
The first country to achieve a virtual elimination of HIV could be Australia, but marginalised groups and late detections remain a concern.
NSW flu cases drop, concerns over school transmission
Flu cases across NSW have dropped by 14 per cent over the last week, with authorities warning of another surge in cases now kids are back in the classroom.