Monash hospital to undergo $560m expansion
The Victorian government will spend up to $560 million to upgrade Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne's southeast as the healthcare system struggles with demand.
health
Health warnings after isolation scrapped
The decision by federal, state and territory leaders to scrap mandatory COVID-19 isolation periods for most Australians has been criticised by health experts.
Poor Queensland hospital care “life-altering”
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has handed down a report into alleged malpractice at Mackay Hospital and broader capacity problems in the health system.
Hidden surgery waiting lists a ‘scandal’
Hidden wait times for elective surgery mean it's impossible for patients to make an informed decision about whether to go public or private, the AMA says.
Weed killer detected in Australian urine
A study has found eight per cent of urine samples collected from a group of Australians contain a common weed killer, while farmers spraying it had high levels.
Koalas at risk of extinction, experts warn
Koalas are under threat and could eventually disappear due to urban expansion, loss of habitat, disease and climate change, wildlife experts claim.
Interim tick for Pfizer infant booster
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has given provisional approval for Pfizer's COVID-19 booster to be used in children aged six months to five years.
Australia remains vulnerable to new COVID-19 variants: review
Australia is not well-prepared should another variant of COVID-91 sweep through the country, a review of vaccine and treatment procurement has found.
The passion and politics of rural medicine
After nearly five decades working in rural medicine, Professor Dennis Pashen has been described as an "icon" for his advocacy for better healthcare in the bush.
Ex ice addict welcomes Perrottet reforms
Offering counselling to people caught with small amounts of drugs could help users kick their addictions, a recovering addict says.
Lockdowns hit happiness more than cases
Lockdowns throughout the pandemic affected the mental health of Australians, particularly men, more than hearing rising case numbers, a new study shows.
Increase in Victorian euthanasia deaths
The number of voluntary assisted deaths in Victoria increased by about one third in 2021-22 with a report finding the law is operating as intended.
NSW govt’s $500m response to ice inquiry
Drug users in NSW will have more opportunities to get help before ending up in jail, as part of the government's long-awaited $500m response to the ice inquiry.
Major step to booster for young children
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has provisionally approved the Pfizer booster for children aged five to 11, with a decision pending on its rollout.
Vic to trial COVID nasal spray treatment
A COVID-19 nasal spray designed to reduce a person's viral load will undergo a six-month clinical trial in Victoria.
SA and NSW drop masks on public transport
South Australia and NSW have dropped requirements for mask wearing on public transport in the latest easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Doctors ‘need a carrot’ to stay rural
Rural medical clinics say doctors are leaving to work in urban areas or asking for more money to stay in the bush since the Labor government increased the number of workforce priority areas.
New vaccine facility set for Monash uni
A new mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility will be based in Melbourne under an agreement the prime minister says will safeguard against future health crises.
Study confirms mRNA vax safe in pregnancy
Pregnant women vaccinated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines reported fewer side effects than non-pregnant women, according to a Canadian study.
Tumour bank helps fight aggressive cancer
Over more than a decade, about 350 samples have been collected and housed in a Queensland brain tumour bank, creating a valuable resources for researchers.
Farm safety focus as study reveals deaths
A study of unintentional farm deaths across Australia shows older men are more likely to have fatal accidents, with vehicles and machines the biggest risks.
COVID-19 nation’s third biggest killer
More people are thought to have died from COVID-19 this year than some of the country's largest killers, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Queensland over peak of COVID-19 wave
Pressure on Queensland's health system is beginning to ease after the state passed a peak in COVID-19 hospitalisations much earlier than modelling predicted.
Natural tissue replaces implants in trial
An Australian woman has received a world-first surgery that will pave the way for women requiring breast reconstructions.
The communities fighting for their health
The National Rural Health conference has heard of many communities that have fought to boost their own local health services, including Mallacoota in Victoria.
Burns and injuries treated via video in WA
Telehealth supports remote doctors and patients across Australia's biggest state, a rural health conference focused on innovation and collaboration has heard.
‘Fingers crossed’ Qld over worst of virus
A decline in the number of hospital patients with COVID-19 in Queensland may point to the state passing the peak of the current wave, the premier says.
National response to long COVID in works
About four per cent of Australians report long-term symptoms from COVID-19, but the health minister says that number could be far greater.
Qld to tackle limited abortion access
Queensland's government is looking to expand access to abortion, with many in the state's regions having to travel to Brisbane for a surgical termination.
Not sensible to own quarantine centre: Qld
The Queensland government will mothball the Wellcamp quarantine facility next month, despite having a lease until April.
Campaign’s goal to eliminate hepatitis C
A new public health campaign is aiming to boost hepatitis C testing and treatment rates in Victoria so the virus can be eliminated by 2030.