Recognising the hidden risk: Understanding filicide through mental health nursing and midwifery practice
Filicide, the killing of a child by a parent, is a devastating form of violence and an often-overlooked public health tragedy. This rare and shocking act reverberates across families, communities, and health systems. For nurses, particularly in mental health and midwifery, understanding filicide risk is crucial as a first step in supporting appropriate intervention with […]
Reframing End-of-Life Care: A call for courage and compassion in nursing and midwifery
How we die is complicated. Health and medical sciences and advances in clinical care have had a dramatic impact on Australians’ lives. Complex chronic illnesses are being treated successfully, and lives are prolonged. At the same time, the end-of-life has become increasingly complex and often protracted. Australians are living longer than ever, with median age […]
New grad registered nurse: Navigating the world of mental health
As a newly registered nurse fresh out of university, I was thrilled to be accepted into the specialist Mental Health GradStart program at the Lower North Shore Assertive Outreach Team (LNS AOT). Beginning my career in LNS AOT of the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol (MHDA) service was an exciting and enriching experience. The AOT […]
Just as flowers need sunlight and care to thrive, nurses and midwives flourish in an environment of compassion and respect
The Oxygen Mask Theory teaches us to prioritise our own care before helping others. This may seem unusual for some. However, it reveals an important truth: we can only care for others when we first take care of our own wellbeing. Nurses and midwives are essential in delivering Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), dedicated to preventing re-traumatisation, […]
Protecting Skin Integrity in Continence Care
One in four people with incontinence do nothing to prevent skin issues, and one in three never seek medical care for dermatitis. Clinicians are therefore the critical touchpoint for prevention, education, and product selection (Dynata-Ontex, 2025) Maintaining skin integrity is one of the most important pressing clinical challenges in continence care. Prolonged exposure to moisture, […]
Seeking safe harbour
The idea of providing ‘safe harbour’ has its origins in the history of the abolition of slavery. As northern states in America made laws to abolish slavery, southern states passed laws such as the Fugitive Slave Law. This law made it illegal for escaped slaves to be given assistance, such as food, shelter and transport […]
Frailty – supporting better outcomes
Frailty is a common, yet often under-recognised, condition in older people. It is estimated that at least 11% of community dwelling older Australians, and up to 75% of residents in aged care homes are living with frailty. Frailty is an independent predictor of poor health outcomes, however it can be slowed and even reversed in […]
The Power of Starting a Green Group
Why collective action is one of the best ways to lead change in your workplace and community. It started with cold curry in my lunch box and a ward office full of nurses. Our sustainability Clinical Nurse Consultant was clicking through slides about PVC recycling while we crammed in our lunch, knowing we all had […]
Culturally safe maternity care for Indigenous women: Bridging gaps for health equity
An international, pan-Indigenous, and cross-cultural research team has examined Indigenous women’s dissatisfaction with birthing experiences across both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. A recently published scoping review includes data from 1,437 women, 36 Elders, 14 fathers and family members, and 91 healthcare professionals, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with birthing in mainstream maternity hospitals in Australia, Aotearoa […]
Gender affirmation, surrogate leave, among new progressive conditions won during enterprise bargaining
What began in 1970 as the Family Planning Alliance of South Australia continues to lead the way advancing workplace conditions, thanks to an ANMF (SA Branch)-negotiated Enterprise Agreement that has introduced several progressive new provisions. Nurses and midwives at the organisation, now known as the Sexual Health Information Networking and Education South Australia (SHINE SA), […]