Nth Qld pharmacy trial has doctors worried
Skipping the GP consultation to get a prescription for serious health conditions is not the answer to staff shortages in regional Queensland, doctors say.
health
Aged care outbreak grows in WA virus spike
Western Australia's first aged care COVID-19 outbreak has grown by six cases as the state posts a daily record of 139 new infections.
Qld govt ready to intervene in aged care
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she will raise aged care issues with national cabinet as the sector deals with COVID-19 outbreaks
Qld has eight deaths, 5854 new virus cases
Queensland has eight deaths and 5854 new COVID-19 cases as calls grow for a review of vaccinate mandates after the state passed the 90 per cent double-jab mark.
Vic extends third dose mandate by a month
Victoria has extended by a month the deadline requiring key workers to have a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Qld govt keen to assist aged care centres
The Health Minister says the Queensland government is assisting private aged care amid anger over how a facility has handled a COVID-19 outbreak.
Vic won’t water down COVID check-in rules
Check-in requirements at Victorian venues that don't require proof of COVID-19 vaccination will remain in place despite Queensland ditching them.
Qld records deadliest day of pandemic
Queensland has recorded its deadliest 24-hour period of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 24 people succumbing to the virus including 16 in aged care.
WA slashes quarantine as Omicron spreads
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan insists he has not bowed to industry pressure by agreeing to halve isolation periods for COVID-infected people.
Blood test key to better cancer treatment
Researchers hope a "simple blood test" can replace more invasive procedures to help cancer patients choose the best course of treatment.
Deportation for man disabled in detention
Ritesh Naikar says he doesn't know how he'll survive if he's deported to Fiji after a fall in immigration detention left him with a spinal injury.
PM keen to get international borders open
Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants to get international borders open as soon as possible but without impacting Australia's hospital system.
Vic lifts non-urgent elective surgery ban
Victoria's falling COVID-19 hospital figures will allow non-urgent elective surgery to resume, as an extra $1.4 billion is pumped into the health system.
Qld DP slams PM over aged care handling
The federal government's handling of aged care sector COVID-19 outbreaks is a "national disgrace", Queensland's Deputy Premier Steven Miles says.
Ross River virus found in southeast Qld
Queensland Health has warned that mosquitoes in the state's southeast are carrying Ross River virus, which causes joint pain, fever, rash and fatigue.
Qld reports 8643 virus cases, nine deaths
Queensland has recorded 8643 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths, including four fatalities in aged care.
Regional rehab programs face COVID stress
There are concerns that funding for regional drug rehabilitation centres will be disrupted at the precise moment that they need additional government support.
Vic has 114k teens due for COVID booster
There are now 114,000 Victorian 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot after the age group were given the third vaccine dose green light.
Chaos as Omicron arrives at WA schools
Western Australia's hardline approach to managing its Omicron outbreak has forced hundreds of school students into isolation just days into the first term.
Patients in NSW wait longer for ambulances
Ambulance response times in NSW are the second worst in the country and the union is calling for another 1500 paramedics to fix the chronic staffing shortfall.
Elder abuse calls rise 30pct in Queensland
A new report shows that calls to Queensland's Elder Abuse Helpline have risen almost 32 per cent in 2020-21.
No Victorian elective surgery restart date
Victoria's nurses union is railing against non-urgent elective surgery restarting next week, but Premier Daniel Andrews says a decision still has not been made.
Aged care payments criticised as sugar hit
Aged care workers will receive bonus payments as the federal government moves to shore up the sector hit hard by the ongoing wave of Omicron infections.
Vic awaits ATAGI before vax mandate call
Victoria won't make a decision on expanding COVID-19 vaccine mandates until a national advisory panel declares if a third dose is needed to be fully vaccinated.
NT minister tests positive for COVID-19
A Northern Territory government minister has COVID-19 and is isolating as the region posted another 970 new infections.
Aged care workers to receive two bonuses
The Morrison government has approved two bonus payments of up to $400 each for aged care staff, with the first to be paid in February.
Vic COVID cases to climb as schools return
Virus numbers will increase as a million Victorian school students and staff return to school and begin weekly testing, the state's health minister warns.
Victoria posts 10,053 cases, eight deaths
Victoria has recorded 10,053 new COVID-19 cases and eight virus-related deaths, as state school students return for Term 1.
Qld records 13 deaths, details school plan
Queensland has recorded 13 virus-related deaths and 8580 new cases as details are released about its back to school plan just over a week before classes return.
Another 12 COVID-19 deaths in Queensland
Another 12 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland, with the state recording 10,391 new cases and hospitalisations expected to continue falling.
Tasmania records 683 new COVID-19 cases
Tasmania has reported 683 new COVID-19 infections, with 17 people now in hospital.