The Break Glass function in My Health Record: when and how to use it

There are certain urgent situations where health professionals can legally access restricted information in a My Health Record to lessen or prevent a serious threat to a person’s health. This is known as Emergency Access or the break glass function. While it is expected that it will be rarely required, it is important to understand […]

Almost one in five suffering from long COVID

Almost one in five Australians who have tested positive for COVID, experience symptoms of long COVID, new research shows. An Australian National University (ANU) study of more than 11,000 Australians who tested positive to COVID-19 in 2022 shows almost one in five were still experiencing ongoing symptoms three months after their initial diagnosis. The study […]

CSIRO reports surge in AI in healthcare

A surge in the amount of digital data in the health sector, together with increases in compute power and the availability of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools are leading to an explosion of AI being used in healthcare, according to a new report from CSIRO. Australia’s national science agency CSIRO AI Trends for Healthcare report […]

Specialist lung cancer nurses for South Australian metro public hospitals

Three lung cancer specialist nurses have been recruited in a $2.5 million investment over four years by the South Australian government. The partnership with Lung Foundation is aimed to help improve the care of patients diagnosed with lung disease. Nurses will work across the Royal Adelaide Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, one at the […]

Queensland rolls out pill testing services

Queensland is becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to support pill testing on an ongoing basis with other states and territories being urged to follow suit. $1 million will be invested by the Queensland government over the next two years and final planning is underway to deliver an event-based service at the Rabbits Eats lettuce festival […]

Nurse practitioners, midwives empowered to provide quality care

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has commended the Albanese Government for introducing new laws which will give highly trained nurse practitioners and midwives greater capacity to provide people with safe, quality care. This morning, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney introduced the Health Legislation Amendment (Removal of Requirement for a […]

Peer-led telehealth counselling for nurses and midwives is now active

The Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia (NMHPA) is now open for telehealth counselling for nurses, midwives and students of the professions living anywhere in Australia. Free, confidential and independent counselling services and case-managed support is available for any sensitive health-related issue that nurses, midwives and students are experiencing. Whether it is drug, alcohol or gambling, […]

South Australia nurse practitioner pilot open for applications

South Australians will have more options for free primary health care as part of a new pilot program expanding the number of nurse practitioners working in GP clinics, also aimed to help ease pressure on hospital emergency departments. Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler yesterday announced the Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Pilot will […]

Sleep Awareness Week 2024: practical strategies for shift workers

Are you getting enough quality shuteye as a shift worker? What works for you, and what doesn’t? Is it time to try something new? Sleep Awareness Week runs 10-16 March and is a time to reemphasise the importance of sleep on your health and wellbeing. Sleep researcher, Alexandra Shriane, a former paramedic and shift worker, […]

New nurse-led Queensland healthcare clinics welcomed

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) has welcomed the state government’s announcement of four new nurse-led healthcare clinics across Queensland. The four walk-in clinics will be staffed by nurse practitioners and nurses with a focus on the healthcare needs of women and girls. The nurse practitioner level care will be free of charge, regardless […]