Queensland midwives rally following unsafe workload audit
In an unprecedented action, Queensland midwives rallied outside Parliament House yesterday calling for urgent state government midwifery funding. It follows a recent audit of Queensland maternity inpatient wards which found single midwives are being left to care for up to 20 mothers and babies at a time. The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU, ANMF […]
CATSINaM releases position on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice
The Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM) has released its position statement on the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum, declaring its support for the proposed law to alter the Constitution, yet, also calling for more action. “CATSINaM believes that a constitutionally enshrined Voice could be a fundamental provision towards recognising […]
Working Together to Deliver Better Staffing in Aged Care Facilities
Working Together to Deliver Better Staffing in Aged Care Facilities
Virtual reality giving nurses experience in de-escalating aggression
A new approach giving nurses and other healthcare providers experience in dealing with aggressive members of the public, without putting them in harm’s way, has been recognised for its outstanding innovation. IVADE is an immersive computer simulation program, developed by Edith Cowan University (ECU), which helps nurses and nursing students practice making decisions when faced […]
Researcher investigates why wounds don’t heal, or form deep scars
A University of South Australia researcher is investigating why some chronic wounds don’t heal and why others that do, form deep scars. According to Wounds Australia, more than 420,000 people suffer from chronic wounds, a common side effect of diabetes, obesity, and vascular and autoimmune diseases, costing the healthcare system more than $3 billion annually. […]
With Teeth: Why Medicare must include dental care
The Australian healthcare system, under Medicare, provides comprehensive medical coverage for most basic health services.1 However, one crucial aspect that remains noticeably absent is the inclusion of dental care within the national healthcare framework. Under the current system, children aged zero to 17 years are eligible for capped cover on some basic dental services under […]
World-consensus sleep guidelines for shift workers
International sleep and shift work researchers have come together in a world-first consensus on how shift workers can best schedule their shuteye. The CQUniversity (CQU) research, published in academic journal SLEEP, outlines 18 clear guidelines to ensure healthy sleep patterns, whether on permanent night shift or a rotating roster. The guidance is good news for […]
New book lifts the lid on women’s experiences of breastfeeding
One of the most personal and intense aspects of mothering, breastfeeding is all too often assumed to be simple, and the most natural thing in the world. Yet according to new book, Spilt Milk, while breastfeeding can be affirming and trouble-free, for many mothers it is difficult, confusing, painful, and can leave them wracked with […]
How nurses can improve access to regional reproductive care
Women face significant barriers in accessing abortion and contraception in rural and regional Australia due to a lack of local services, according to Monash University researchers. Nurse-led models of care, including increased task sharing between nurses and doctors in general practice, is a key strategy that can increase efficiency and access to these critical services. […]
Let’s talk about weed: Informing practice
Opioid misuse has increased over the last two decades, accompanied by an increasing number of deaths associated with overdose from opioids. In fact, problems related to the therapeutic (prescription misuse) and non-therapeutic (illicit use) of opioids have become a global public health concern. Treatment programs have been established to address opioid addiction. The most used […]