Historic $16 billion cut to student debt comes into effect
Millions of Australians have had their student loans cut as the federal government’s 20% debt reduction measure comes into effect. The one-off debt reduction measure will benefit over three million Australians with the first 100,000 having received notifications via SMS text message, email or their myGov inbox. The Australian Government’s Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 per […]
Stronger safety controls for vitamin B6 products
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will strengthen safety controls for products containing vitamin B6 to help reduce the risk of nerve damage associated with the long-term consumption of high doses. Products with low doses of vitamin B6 will continue to be available for general sale, while products containing higher doses will require advice from a […]
Nursing system saves lives in emergency departments
The successful rollout of an emergency nursing system is showing significant improvement in patient deterioration, with plans for global expansion. The nursing system, developed at the University of Sydney, is helping to save lives in emergency departments, setting a new national standard for nursing care since its rollout in 2020. Trialled in 29 emergency departments across […]
Australia on track to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035
Australia is on track to become the first country to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, latest data shows. Rates of cervical cancer among Australian women continue to fall, according to the report from the Centre for Research Excellence in Cervical Cancer Control. In 2021, the national cervical cancer rate decreased to 6.3 per 100,000, compared […]
Position statement calls for strengthening respiratory nursing workforce
Respiratory nurses have been recognised for their indispensable role in improving lung health across Australia and New Zealand. The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) new position statement outlines critical priorities to strengthen the respiratory nursing workforce to ensure optimal care for individuals living with lung conditions. The Position Statement, “Respiratory Nurse Leadership […]
New book helps frontline doctors and nurses to calm the mind
In the chaos of emergency medicine, one of the greatest challenges to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is not just the emergency in front of them, it is the relentless noise within and around them. Meditation for Medics – Stopping the Noise: A Simple Guide to Unshakeable Mindfulness by a Busy ER Doctor has […]
New national guidelines on concussion treatment
New national clinical guidelines on the treatment of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury and a model of care specific to Australia and New Zealand are now available. University of Queensland researchers have led the development of the guidelines along with an education program to help address an identified knowledge gap. About 50% of people who sustain concussion and mild traumatic brain injury do […]
Gain digital skills in a changing environment: eLearning packages
Get ahead in the digital space. The Australian Digital Health Agency Online Learning Portal offers a range of digital courses specific to nurses and midwives. Digital technologies are transforming healthcare by enhancing patient care, improving operational efficiency, and enabling greater accessibility. Changes are already happening in the way we work with the advent of the […]
Enhanced role for midwives in postnatal contraceptive care
Australian midwives may be open to delivering contraceptive care during postnatal home visits, new research shows. This could include innovations such as home insertion of the contraceptive implant (Implanon NXT), which has been trialled internationally, although has not yet been explored in Australia. New research from Monash University’s SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence shows home […]
National effort to cut medicine errors at transition of care
A new national framework has been released to support health services to reduce medication-related errors and hospital readmission rates for patients who are transitioning between care settings. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework provides the first coordinated, hospital-based approach to manage medicines during […]