New eligibility tool for subsidised aged care
A new tool that assesses the eligibility of older people for Commonwealth-subsidised aged care services and programs is being introduced on 1 July 2024. If you work in aged care, here’s what you need to know. In preparation for the implementation of the new Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), the federal government is working closely with […]
‘You are not alone’ supporting peace in Gaza
Palestinians in Gaza are suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises of our times. Yet at the heart of Gaza there exists some relief amidst the chaos: the MA’AN Development Centre offering aid, comfort, and resilience in the face of adversity to the Palestinian people. Australia’s Union Aid Abroad APHEDA, founded by nurse and ANF […]
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 […]
Gender pay gap data reveals substantial pay disparity
Unions have welcomed publication of the gender pay gap for nearly 5,000 Australian private sector employers for the first time but urge more needs to be done to close the disparity. “Publicising the gender pay gap is a tool that works – it shines a light on entrenched practices and structural inequalities that see women […]
Developing and evaluating a clinical supervision training program for mental health nurses
The continued support for nurses through education and training is fundamental to the success and growth of the profession. This is particularly relevant within mental health nursing, where staff often face complex and emotionally challenging circumstances. The past decades have seen a growth in interest and understanding of workplace support within mental health settings through […]
Bring back the arvo nap to combat summer heat
Having an arvo nap may be better for your health than cranking up the air con to combat the heat this summer. Too much air conditioning may be harming our health, according to a study led by researchers at the Australian National University (ANU). Despite spending substantially more time in air-conditioned spaces over the past […]
Earn and learn: How Victoria’s RUSON employment model is helping attract more nurses into mental health
When she was an undergraduate nursing student, Monisha Lagreca worked on a mental health ward as part of the ANMF (Vic Branch) pioneered Registered Undergraduate Students of Nursing (RUSON) paid employment model. Under the delegation and supervision of mental health nursing staff at Peninsula Health, she gained invaluable firsthand exposure to the specialty, which quickly […]
Maternal obesity puts males at risk in later life
Males born to obese women are more likely to be overweight at birth and develop metabolic complications in later life, including liver disease and diabetes. The way that male sex hormones activate pathways in the developing liver is partly to blame, according to a new study led by University of South Australia (UniSA) researchers looking […]
Primary health care nurses campaign to work to full scope of practice
Primary health care nurses are calling on policymakers to better utilise nurses in the sector by enabling them to work to their full scope of practice. On today’s inaugural Primary Health Care Nurses Day, established to highlight the pivotal work nurses carry out across the sector, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) leaders, including […]