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.
health
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.