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 […]

Exercise prescriptions to help reduce depression

Exercise can be a powerful tool to fight depression and should be routinely prescribed as part of treatment plans, according to Australian researchers. Activities such as walking, jogging, yoga and strength training were extremely beneficial for treating depression, University of Queensland researchers have found. UQ’s School of Psychology reviewed more than 200 studies looking at […]

Collaboration between a hospital nursing education unit and a nursing school in Adelaide enhances nursing education for early-career nurses

A collaboration between the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) Early Career Transition Programs (ECTPs) team and the Adelaide Nursing School (ANS – University of Adelaide) has led to improvements in the delivery of education for early-career nurses. It has also strengthened consistencies in the delivery of simulation training between undergraduate education and transition programs […]

Time to apply the Northern Ireland blueprint for peace in Israel-Gaza

Professor Megan-Jane Johnstone AO wrote a powerful article that was published online on 10 November 2023 in the ANMJ: “Bombing hospitals, destroying ambulances and the ethics of (un)just war”.1 Johnstone examined ‘just war theory’ and made a clarion call for nurses to take a stand and speak out about the injustices of war. There are […]

Innovation enables workforce growth and high-quality care at Western Health

Situated in a rapidly growing, diverse, and socioeconomically challenged corridor, Western Health (WH) services a community of over one million people. Article summary: Projections indicate a substantial proportion of Melbourne’s future population growth will occur in its outer west, directly impacting WH’s nursing and midwifery workforce supply and demand. To meet its workforce needs and […]

Secure jobs and gender equality form the basis for the Modern Award Review 2023-24

In December 2022, the Fair Work Act was amended to add two new objectives that need to be taken into account when deciding if awards meet the standard required of contemporary industrial relations.   The new matters that the Fair Work Commission (FWC) must consider are whether provisions of awards improve access to secure work and […]

Leading with intention

As leaders we need to create experiences on purpose to influence change. What does this mean and how do we go about it? Natalie Dragon talks with midwife and health service improvement coach Jane Stanfield. Jane Stanfield argues it’s not outside anybody’s realm to influence. “It can be done within what you’re already doing but […]

Roster justice needed so workers can plan their lives

Unions have called for roster justice saying new proposals by employer groups for increased flexibility in awards will adversely impact women workers and carers. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) used its reply submission on the work and care stream of the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Review 2023-24 to call for roster justice […]

SA nurses and midwives petition for rural and remote incentives

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) South Australian Branch has launched a public petition calling for urgent rural and remote incentives for nurses and midwives to address the staff shortage that is putting regional country hospital services under threat of closure. The SA government reached an agreement with the ANMF SA Branch in 2022 […]