National ban on engineered stone ‘will save lives’
Engineered stone products will be banned from sale from July over significant health risks to workers following an agreement of workplace ministers.
health
Population pressure on Qld health system
Growing demand for hospital presentations and ambulances services has affected health services and emergency departments in Queensland.
Crunch time in paramedic pay stoush as collapse looms
A pay dispute between paramedics and the NSW government has faced an industrial tribunal in the hope of resolving the crisis before the end of the year.
Cool change sweeps across Sydney after sweltering day
A cool southerly buster is sweeping up the NSW coast after a day of sweltering temperatures in the mid-40s led to packed-out beaches and waterways.
NSW swelters but cool change beckons
Extreme weather is likely to continue for large parts of Australia with people urged to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day.
Triple-zero ‘risk’ as paramedics reject huge pay offer
A pay offer that would have lifted NSW paramedic pay by an average of 19 per cent - putting them nearly on par with interstate colleagues - has been rejected.
States swelter in 40C temps as bushfire risk soars
A heatwave across four states has left Australians sweltering and placed firefighters on high alert, as schools closed and thousands of people lost power.
Farmers urged to tell a mate about mental health help
Calls from rural Australians have doubled in the past year to a phone counselling service founded to help tradies, truckies and other blue collar workers.
AFL concussion report from 1993 central to class action
A major concussion class action against the AFL relies on a medical report from the code in the '90s, as new details of Max Rooke's injuries were revealed.
Health chief admits patient’s death ‘preventable’
Queensland Health has admitted "significant failings" led to the "preventable" death of a patient at a Gold Coast hospital last year.
Heat alert as states hit with scorching conditions
High temperatures are forecast for many parts of Australia with heatwave warnings issued for most states and territories.
4 tips to help your loved one with dementia enjoy the festive season
The festive season is fast approaching, and if you’re organising celebrations with family or friends, you might be grappling with a seemingly endless to-do list. But as you make these plans, it’s important to consider how you can best include any friends or loved ones living with dementia.
Paramedics’ industrial action ruled out of order
A 12-hour industrial action that would have resulted in some paramedics refusing all but the most serious calls has been ruled out of order amid a pay dispute.
Doctors risk charges over online voluntary euthanasia
The Federal Court has ruled voluntary assisted dying laws equate to suicide, leaving doctors who help patients end their lives online at risk of prosecution.
Workload relief for midwives in patient ratio reforms
Midwives working in Queensland public hospitals will soon operate under patient ratios after the state's health minister tabled reforms to parliament.
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.
Grieving mum’s maternity care improvements adopted
Queensland's health minister will introduce maternity care improvements suggested by a mother grieving her baby girl's death at a hospital north of Brisbane.
National engineered stone ban closer with WA backing
Western Australia has joined other states in expressing support for a national ban on the future use of deadly disease-causing engineered stone.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opposition backs age verification for pornography
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has backed calls to implement age verification for viewing pornographic material online.
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.
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.
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.
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.