How disposable PPE is being recycled to make stronger concrete
A new generation of nurses, midwives and carers have never practiced without wearing disposable PPE since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, research at RMIT is paving the way to reduce PPE waste, including gowns, face masks and rubber gloves, from landfill or incineration by using it to improve the strength and durability of […]
Pandemic-related complaints top calls to National Health Practitioner Ombudsman
A sharp increase in people raising concerns about regulatory responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including obligations around mandatory vaccination, drove a record number of approaches to the office of the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) during 2021-22, new data has revealed. The NHPO’s recently released annual report shows it received 1,593 approaches in 2021-22, up […]
ANMF concerned by removal of COVID-19 safety measures
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has expressed concern that the mandatory COVID isolation period will be scrapped for people who test positive apart from hospital and aged care workers. ANMF Federal Assistant Secretary, Lori-Anne Sharp said that we were yet to see the real impact of dropping the isolation period from seven to […]
Women’s health deteriorates during COVID-19 pandemic
Four out of 10 women believe their health has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Jean Hailes National Women’s Health Survey has revealed. Conducted during March-May, this year’s survey, which attracted more than 14,000 respondents, focused on researching the impact of COVID-19 on women’s health and wellbeing. The survey revealed a sharp drop in […]
Gut linked to harsher COVID-19 outcomes
Research from Flinders University has uncovered a molecular link between COVID-19 and serotonin cells in the gut. Authors suggest the findings could help provide further clues to what could be driving COVID-19 infection and disease severity, with the link supporting previous evidence that antidepressants, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), could reduce the severity […]
Nurse-led techniques help reduce children’s vaccination and needle fear
Children’s vaccination and needle fear can be lowered when nurses spend additional time supporting them during the process, new research from the University of South Australia has found. With vaccinations becoming more regular, researchers set out to explore ways to help reduce the tears, tantrums and distress many children display because of needle-related fear. Working […]
Defence force support in aged care extended amid rising COVID-19 outbreaks
The federal government is extending and expanding Australian Defence Force (ADF) support for aged care homes battling COVID-19 outbreaks until the end of September. Defence force personnel have provided clinical and non-clinical support to aged care homes experiencing COVID-19 related staff shortages since February. In response to the latest surge, which shows more than a […]
South Australia opens specialist long COVID-19 clinics to boost treatment and support
The South Australian Government has launched dedicated long COVID-19 clinics at four major hospitals to provide targeted treatment and support to the growing number of people battling lingering effects from the virus. People experiencing long-term symptoms can now access special clinics at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre. The […]
CALD communities lack support to protect health during COVID-19
Migrants, refugees and Australians born with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds may have difficulty keeping up with constant changes in COVID-19 public health alerts, a new study has found. Conducted by Flinders University, the research suggests a failure to engage and communicate clearly with individual members of CALD communities can put people’s protective health […]
What we know about ‘Long COVID’ or, post Covid-19 condition in 2022
Post-COVID condition or ‘Long COVID’ can be characterised by ongoing symptoms following acute COVID-19 illness. Evidence and understanding of the condition are still emerging, however those who have experienced prior severe COVID-19, are of older age, female sex, and with pre-existing physical and mental health disorders appear most at risk. The most often reported symptoms […]