South Australia’s nurses and midwives receive welcome pay boost

South Australian public sector nurses and midwives have seen the first of three successive yearly wage increases of 3% in their pay packet, as part of their new Enterprise Agreement. A 9% pay rise over three years as part of a new enterprise bargaining agreement reached with state government began flowing through on Friday for […]

An antibiotic that beats resistance to superbugs developed

A new type of antibiotic that can be rapidly re-engineered to avoid resistance by dangerous superbugs has been created by RMIT scientists. The antibiotic, named Priscilicidin, is made of small amino acid building blocks creating an antimicrobial peptide, which can be tailored to tackle different types of antimicrobial resistance.   All living organisms produce these peptides […]

Rollout of fifth COVID-19 booster shot on way for Australian adults

All adults who have not had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed case in the past six months will be able to get another booster to give them additional protection against severe illness from COVID, as advised by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). The recommendation for additional boosters comes into effect on […]

10 things I wish I knew before my first clinical placement

Clinical placements give nursing and midwifery students the opportunity to build critical hands-on skills. For first-year nursing student Matilda Preston, heading into her initial clinical placement in aged care presented an unknown. She felt nervous, and didn’t know what to expect about working in the sector. To help future nursing students, Matilda shares the 10 […]

PM explains how Urgent Care Clinics will work

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Perth yesterday announcing seven Urgent Care Clinics that will open across WA to ease pressure on emergency departments. The Urgent Care Clinics planned nationwide were an election promise to help ease the burden on overstretched hospital emergency services. Interviewed on ABC Radio Perth Drive, the Prime Minister explained how […]

Nurse-led trial aiming to prevent hypothermia during surgery

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers are trialling new care strategies that reduce postoperative risk to patients from loss of body heat during surgery. Chief Investigator, Dr Judy Munday, from the QUT School of Nursing, said perioperative hypothermia – body heat loss to below 36°C – was inevitable in surgeries unless preventative strategies were used. […]

Women’s health experts appointed to tackle ‘Medical Misogyny’

Growing evidence and medical research has shown women often suffer poorer health outcomes because of systemic issues in healthcare delivery. Women disproportionately experience delayed diagnosis, overprescribing, and a failure to properly investigate symptoms. Addressing these concerns, a new National Women’s Health Advisory Council will examine the unique challenges that women and girls experience in the […]

Paid leave for family and domestic violence starts

Ten days of paid domestic violence leave will come into force as of today. From 1 February workers for large or medium businesses will have access to this new entitlement. The measure, which will impact at least seven million employees, is seen as crucial to support workers, overwhelmingly women, to leave violent relationships. Minister for […]

Landmark voluntary assisted dying laws start today in SA

Voluntary assisted dying laws came into force in South Australia today South Australians with a terminal illness will have the right to make the choice to die with dignity under the landmark laws after 16 previous attempts spanning 27 years, voluntary assisted dying is now legal in South Australia. The introduction of the Voluntary Assisted […]