Influenza and whooping cough vaccines safe in twin pregnancies
Women who receive the influenza or whooping cough vaccine during a twin pregnancy are not at higher risk of birth complications, new research shows. The University of Queensland study, which showed 72% of women pregnant with twins were unvaccinated against influenza and whooping cough, has found the vaccines are safe and do not increase the […]
Inappropriate use of non-sterile gloves increases infection risk and waste
The indiscriminate use of non-sterile gloves in hospitals and clinics is significantly adding to environmental pollution and healthcare-associated infections, with little evidence to prove that there are substantial benefits, according to new research. The lack of evidenced-based guidelines in the use of non-sterile gloves in healthcare could be impacting patient outcomes, healthcare costs, and environmental […]
Electronic prescriptions to be trialled in primary care
Electronic prescriptions are set to be the standard method of prescribing in Australia, with the model to be trialled in primary care settings in 2026. Electronic prescribing by default replaces the earlier plan for mandatory electronic prescribing of high-risk and high-cost medicines announced in the 2023–24 Budget. Under this model, electronic prescriptions will be the standard method of prescribing in Australia. […]
ICN expresses solidarity with Venezuelan nurses
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has expressed solidarity with Venezuelan nurses and calls for the protection of rights in crises. The ICN has reached out to the Venezuelan Nursing Association (Federation of Nursing Professionals of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) in response to recent political developments and the ongoing crisis affecting the country to reaffirm that the global nursing community supports Venezuelan nurses during […]
Training hospital staff in person-centred dementia care improves recovery outcomes
Tailored education for hospital staff is improving care for people with dementia, a new Australian study shows. Educating hospital staff in person-centred dementia care leads to better care experiences, greater staff confidence, and improved rehabilitation outcomes for older people, the research found. The study, conducted by UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), evaluated a […]
Residents in hot, humid regions more likely to have kidney failure
Australians living in consistently hot and humid northern regions are at greater risk of kidney failure than their compatriots in more temperate and less remote locations, researchers have found. University of Queensland researchers investigated the influence of climate zones and geographic disparities on the incidence of patients needing kidney transplants or dialysis. Higher incidences were […]
National Reconciliation Week 2026 theme announced
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 All In has been announced and calls on Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every day. National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June every year – is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to recommit ourselves to […]
One in 15 emergency department visits in the ACT linked to extreme weather
Extreme heat and cold are pushing thousands of Canberrans into emergency departments each year and experts predict that a warming climate is poised to intensify the strain across the ACT. The Australian National University-led research found that almost 36,000 ED presentations between 2000 and 2021 were linked to heat, representing 1 in 40 (2.5%) of all visits. That number is projected […]
Australia’s inaugural Respectful Maternity Care conference to address birth trauma
Australia’s first national conference on respectful maternity care will be held in a bold response to the systemic shortcomings exposed by the NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry last year. Hosted by the Maternity Consumer Network, the Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) conference will be held on 6-7 March 2026 in Brisbane, and online for interstate and international attendees. The hybrid event will unite maternity consumers, midwives, obstetricians, researchers and healthcare professionals to champion equity, dignity and […]
Creating healthy habits to drive our daily actions
Healthier lifestyle changes may be less about starting from scratch and more about swapping one habit for another. New research shows 66% of our actions are habitual, indicating that habit, not conscious choice, drives most of our daily actions. The findings from the joint research, conducted by the University of Surrey, University of South Carolina […]