NSW nurses and midwives to stage 24-hour strike next week
NSW nurses and midwives are ramping up their campaign for a 15% pay increase, planning a 24-hour strike next week over the state government’s ongoing refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations. Thousands of nurses and midwives will strike for 24 hours from the start of morning shift on Tuesday 24 September. However, life-preserving staff will […]
Humour a primary health initiative, says nurse comedian
Lucy Downey, a nurse from NSW, has been telling stories all her life, but her journey into stand-up comedy began at a rather unexpected moment—her father’s wake. “He always said I was a good storyteller and that I should get up and share them. I thought, what better time than now, in front of over […]
Senate Inquiry backs paid reproductive leave to manage menopause and perimenopause
A Senate Inquiry examining issues related to menopause and perimenopause has recommended the federal government consider introducing paid gender-inclusive reproductive leave in the National Employment Standards (NES) and modern awards to help people manage symptoms and a range of impacts. It has also called on the federal government to consider how to expand the scope […]
Decades of advocacy for NPs
In the late 80s, early in my grad year, I recall telling my mum I was puzzled that the most experienced nurses were the furthest from the bedside. Pathways to promotion led away from clinical practice to management and education roles. The 90’s saw the introduction of Clinical Nurse Specialists and Clinical Nurse Consultants, followed […]
New online resource aims to increase antimicrobial resistance knowledge
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has launched a new resource that provides evidence-based information to inform policy and action to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance on human, animal and environmental health. Now live, AMR Action and Insights was developed as part of CSIRO’s minimising AMR initiative. AMR occurs when disease-causing microbes evolve to resist […]
Why sex, gender, and sexuality census data matters for inclusive healthcare
Earlier this month, the federal government announced it would scrap questions about gender and sexuality from the 2026 census.1 However, within 48 hours, this decision was reversed.2 But why does this matter? Firstly, it’s important to understand that sex, gender, and sexuality mean different things in this context. Sex is most simply understood as referring […]
AI to help address aggression in the ED
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into an immersive virtual reality enhanced computer simulation program to train frontline healthcare workers in de-escalating aggression in patients. Developed by researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU), ‘Barry’ is an AI computer-based model that allows clinicians and students to verbally interact with him in a hospital setting. Users have […]
World Sepsis Day: Ask ‘Could it be sepsis?’
On a seemingly ordinary day in 2023, Laura Remy’s life took a dramatic turn. What started off as a mild cough and fever, quickly escalated into life-threatening sepsis. “I initially continued to work and dismissed my symptoms as minor. However, the symptoms worsened dramatically overnight, with chest pain, severe chills, and vomiting. I had an […]
Proposed paid parental leave changes to worsen women’s financial security
Proposed amendments by the Coalition to the government’s legislation on superannuation for Commonwealth Paid Parental Leave (PPL) have been slammed by unions, including the ANMF. The Coalition’s proposals would see workers, mostly women, tap into their retirement savings by cashing out of super on Commonwealth PPL through taking a lump-sum or extra leave. The federal […]
Independent expert midwife to lead Tasmanian maternity services investigation
The Tasmanian Government has announced the appointment of an independent expert to lead the rapid independent investigation into maternity services at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH). Midwife, nurse and health consultant Amanda Singleton has extensive experience, including in the governance and management of maternity services in both rural and metropolitan settings. She also has regulatory […]