Following this week’s announcement by Health Minister, The Hon Peter Dutton, regarding the legalisation of HIV self-tests in Australia, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) calls for a cautious introduction of these tests and a comprehensive education campaign for potential users. [ + ]

Today the use of ionising radiation for medical imaging and radiation therapy is such a core part of both diagnosis and treatment that much is taken for granted.  It is commonly seen as a small part of the total hospital experience and yet there has been an extraordinary evolution both in the technology available and the techniques used by trained practitioners. The impact of these advances is significant, with new imaging techniques being constantly applied across the medical specialties, writes David Collier. [ + ]

A new national electronic donor record system to streamline organ and tissue donation processes across Australian hospital networks has been announced by Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash. [ + ]

From 26 May – 15 June, 2245 junior doctors who applied for entry into the Australian General Practice Training program (AGPT) undertook the first stage of their selection process online for the first time. [ + ]

Scientists have succeeded in identifying the major underlying mutations in pancreatic and ovarian cancers, two of Australia’s most ruthless cancers. [ + ]

Twenty-six small hospitals and nursing posts in the Central Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions of Western Australia will be upgraded as part of a major $325.8million healthcare infrastructure boost.  Health Minister Kim Hames and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman today announced $108.8million of funding for a range of health projects as part of the State Government’s Southern Inland Health Initiative (SIHI).   Dr Hames said work on the hospital upgrades and nursing posts was expected to start before the end of the year and be complete late in 2016.   “Community consultations and planning will continue to be undertaken to determine what works will be carried out to the small hospitals and nursing posts,” he said. “In some cases the works may involve infrastructure upgrades and may include an upgrade to the existing facility, this will be determined during the planning and consultation phase.”   Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said planning for health reform has been under way since 2011 and a number of milestones had been reached to date.   “These include the installation of Telehealth strategy across the region, an attraction strategy to increase the number of General Practitioners in regional towns, a 24/7 roster in larger emergency departments and an Emergency Telehealth Service,” Mr Redman said.   The $325.8million SIHI investment will involve $173.7million worth of upgrades to six district hospitals, $108.8million for upgrades and refurbishment of small hospitals and nursing posts and a further $43.3million towards the Primary Health Care Demonstration Site program, with the first two sites in Pingelly and Cunderdin under way.   The towns to benefit from the small hospital and nursing post refurbishment are:   Wheatbelt Lake Grace; Wagin; Dalwallinu; Jurien Bay; Moora; York; Southern Cross; Boddington; Dumbleyung; Beverley; Wundowie; Wyalkatchem; Goomalling; Wongan Hills; Bruce Rock; Kellerberrin; Kununoppin; Quairading; Corrigin; Narembeen; Kondinin; Mukinbudin and Williams   Great Southern Kojonup; Gnowangerup and Tambellup   [ + ]

One quarter of all injury hospitalisations were Australians aged 65 and over according to the report Hospitalised injuries in older Australians: 2011-12, released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). [ + ]

A new educational resource, designed to improve the lives of people living with chronic hepatitis B, is now available in Australia. [ + ]

Speech Pathology Australia’s submission to the Senate Inquiry can be found at speechpathologyaustralia.org.au. A high number of individual and organisation submissions were also received by the Senate Committee. Hearings will be conducted in the near future, with a report and recommendations to Government to follow. Further information may also be obtained from www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/ Community_Affairs/Speech_ Pathology.  [ + ]

In a  step to establish an Academic Health Sciences Centre, Macquarie University has created a new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. [ + ]

The government has responded to calls from APNA and other health bodies to revise their explanation of the contribution of nurse time to MBS health assessment items. [ + ]

The IHHC Food Safety Program Guide was developed over many years by a team of people who work in healthcare hospitality and understand the difficulties of mastering the development, implementation, monitoring, verification and ongoing upkeep of  a food safety program. Following a recent review of the Guide,  Gary Kennedy takes us through the changes. [ + ]

A free and simple toolkit for GPs could revolutionise menopause diagnosis and treatment. [ + ]

Sydney researchers have discovered how a novel type of lung test could help asthmatic children better manage their condition at home. [ + ]

All healthcare workers play a part in infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.  The slogan ‘infection control is everybody’s business’ has been used by infection prevention and control professionals to promote key messages to healthcare workers over many years. This catch phrase is still relevant today, if not more so, in relation to measures such as hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness, writes Annie Wells. [ + ]