Nurses on the frontline of Australia’s AIDS crisis
A new book chronicles the role nurses played during the AIDS pandemic after the emergence of HIV, and how unions drove infection control policy, including universal precautions. “HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and […]
NSW nurse makes badminton debut at Paris Olympics
Registered nurse Tiffany Ho admits she is an underdog as she heads off to Paris to compete in the badminton singles at her first Olympic Games. “For me, where I sit in the ranking, I’m in the bottom half. So, everyone will be tough, but that’s the exciting bit. It’s always going to be a […]
Reducing the noise in ICU
Western Australian research is aiming to decrease noise levels in intensive care units (ICUs) by implementing improvements in acoustic design. Up to 50% of patients in ICUs experience sleep disturbance due to noise which can hinder recovery and negatively impact their health. Staff report noise levels negatively impact their work performance, patient connection and job satisfaction. […]
Moral distress tool for midwifery practice
Moral distress occurs when individuals experience a compromise to their moral beliefs. While validated tools exist to assess moral distress in various health professions, none are specifically tailored for midwifery in the Australian healthcare system. Midwife, clinical educator and researcher Wendy Foster and her colleagues conducted a series of studies, including a pilot study The […]
Trailblazing nurse receives NAIDOC lifetime achievement award
Registered nurse and long-time Indigenous rights activist Aunty Dulcie Flower says she’s never considered she has a legacy to leave. “I’m just me, going about my business,” says the 85-year old who is the recipient of this year’s National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. “I am blessed to have the privilege of working with Aboriginal […]
Nurse midwife co-creator of women’s health app CHARLI
Clinical nurse and midwife Samantha Costa is co-creator of CHARLI, a recently launched women’s health app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help empower women in their health and wellness. She talks with the ANMJ. CHARLI Health uses evidence-based, AI technology for women to track and manage their menstrual cycles, fertility, sexual health, pregnancy, peri/menopause […]
Australians fare well in health report card despite ongoing COVID impact
Australians’ overall health continues to fare well when compared with similar countries despite significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing burden of chronic conditions. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) biennial flagship report card of Australians’ health was launched this week by Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler. The […]
Queensland announces first nurse-led clinic site
Queensland has announced the first location of four new promised nurse-led clinics aimed to improve healthcare access with a focus on women and girls. The Miles Government committed $46 million to deliver four walk-in clinics in regions that need it most as part of its Queensland Women and Girls’ Health Strategy 2032. The Adelaide Street […]
New powers allow health regulator to ban unregistered practitioners
Unregistered practitioners, including those who have been suspended from practising, can be prevented from treating patients under a suite of new powers afforded to Australia’s health regulator. The public will also have more information about practitioners on the public register, including if they use an alternative name to practise, in new changes to enable the […]
ACT NPs and authorised midwives to prescribe MS-2 Step
Nurse practitioners and authorised midwives in the ACT will be able to prescribe abortion medication under legislation passed last week. Up until now, only medical practitioners have been allowed to prescribe oral MS-2 Step (mifepristone and misoprostol). The new legislation, the Health (Improved Abortion Access) Amendment Act ll 2024 passed in the ACT Legislative […]