SA to look at faster treatment for UTIs
A South Australian parliamentary committee is likely to be established to look at giving people easier access to medication to treat urinary tract infections.
health
NSW nurses to walk off job again
Nurses will again walk off the job in NSW amid a push in parliament to fix what some say are dangerous nurse-to-patient ratios.
States vary approach to COVID-19 wave
As a fourth COVID-19 wave approaches, some jurisdictions are ramping up their response, while others hold the line on restrictions.
Experts rule out third COVID booster shot
Despite a spike in COVID-19 cases, the country's leading vaccine advisory body says Australians don't yet need a fifth dose of vaccine.
A race to help kids diagnosed with cancer
Race car driver Jimmy Vernon is giving 20 per cent of his corporate sponsorship to a foundation helping kids with cancer.
Cruise ship with virus outbreak docks
The Majestic Princess cruise ship has docked in Sydney with about 800 COVID-19 positive people aboard and will head to Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
GP fury over NSW pharmacy ‘game-changer’
General practitioners are furious with the NSW government expanding the ability of pharmacists to give vaccinations and prescribe some drugs.
Jab plea amid ‘rapid’ Qld virus increase
Queensland's COVID-19 wave could peak before Christmas as case numbers among aged care residents double in a week.
Qld entering fourth COVID-19 wave: premier
The Queensland premier says the COVID-19 alert level will rise from green to amber with state's fourth pandemic wave underway.
Qld public health workers seek wage talks
Queensland doctors, health practitioners and administrative staff have accused the state government of avoiding wage talks.
New COVID wave is coming, experts warn
A fresh wave of COVID-19 cases could hit Australia in coming weeks after health authorities detected vaccine-resistant variants.
Mice study links sleep apnoea and dementia
Researchers have found a way to induce sleep-disrupted breathing in mice, and discovered they display exacerbated pathological features of Alzheimer's disease.
Umpire delivers 15pct aged care wage rise
Aged care workers have been awarded an interim 15 per cent pay rise by the Fair Work Commission, but unions say it is only the first step.
Independent inquiry into Medicare fraud
Health Minister Mark Butler has launched an independent inquiry into fraud, inappropriate billing and over-servicing within the Medicare system.
Aged care unions welcome interim wage bump
Unions have welcomed a 15 per cent pay rise for some aged care workers but say the wage increases should be bigger and broader.
Brisbane newborn saved from 2kg tumour
Doctors in Queensland have saved a newborn baby's life by removing a tumour from her spine that weighed double her birth weight.
Ship with COVID passengers to dock in Tas
At least 2000 passengers will arrive in Tasmania on the Coral Princess following a COVID-19 outbreak aboard the cruise ship.
Deadline looms for troubled Mackay Hospital
A Queensland hospital has until the close of business to respond to a show cause notice after a damning report into hospital care.
New maternity care standard aims to reduce tragic risk of stillbirth
A new national stillbirth clinical care standard will be launched in Brisbane, aiming to reduce the risks and break the stigma.
Tas top psychiatrist suspended over woman
Tasmania's chief psychiatrist had his registration suspended for allegedly being involved in an inappropriate relationship with a woman, it has been revealed.
Viruses hitchhike on microplastics: study
Australian researchers have discovered viruses can get a free ride by latching onto tiny particles of plastic regularly taken in by humans.
Queensland close to testing world-first gonorrhoea vaccine
Clinical trials of a world-first gonorrhoea vaccine could be a year away as the problem of antibiotic resistance becomes increasingly pressing around the world.
Billions set aside for aged care reforms
The government will spend billions in the federal budget overhauling the aged care sector, while COVID-19 response measures are also being extended.
Call for support for doctors being probed
The chair of a health professional lobby group is calling on the federal government to change laws on claims against practitioners.
Hospital staff sent to Vic flood areas
Towns in northern Victoria are being warned it is getting too late to evacuate from flooding, with the Murray River expected to break its banks this week.
Connectivity a lifeline for bush patients
The AMA is urging the government to improve mobile and internet coverage in the bush, particularly as several states endure major floods.
PM rejects claims regions left behind
Anthony Albanese has hit back at opposition claims regional areas are being forgotten for infrastructure funding in the upcoming budget.
Australia’s 1000 dark days of COVID-19
Australia will soon mark 1000 days since it recorded its first COVID-19 case - and experts reflect on the life-altering crisis of the pandemic era.
Floods to hit federal, household budgets
The devastating floods hitting large swathes of the country will put more pressure on the already-pressured federal budget and the cost of some essential items.
Medicare rorts claims to be investigated
Health Minister Mark Butler has ordered his department to examine claims the Medicare system was being rorted by billions of dollars each year.
Online victims still shoulder abuse burden
A disability activist and writer has called for the eSafety commissioner to do more to stop online abuse towards Australians with disabilities.