Debate Encouraged on Role of Pharmacists in Primary Care

The Consumers' Health Forum says the AMA's concerns about the Pharmacy Guild proposal for the Federal Government to fund pharmacies to provide cholesterol and blood pressure checks, vaccinations, and non-prescription treatments for minor ailment, raises some important questions about the role of pharmacists in primary care in Australia and negotiations around the 6th community pharmacy agreement.

Researchers Discover Genes for Glaucoma

Western Australian researchers have played an important role in a major international collaboration to discover genes for glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness.

National Boards Announce Practitioner Registration Fees for 2014/15

National Boards have announced practitioner registration fees for 2014/15, including six Boards that have reduced their fees, two which have frozen their fees and six which have limited their fee increases to the national consumer price index (CPI). The Medical Radiation Practice, Nursing and Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Osteopathy, Optometry and Physiotherapy Boards have reduced their fees.

National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill to Be Debated in the Senate

With the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2014 being debated in the Senate this week, the The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is arguing Australians already pay too much for their medicines.

Emergency Department Nurses are a Special Breed

Simulation Could Offer Beneficial Training Opportunities for Surgeons

Simulation could offer beneficial training opportunities for surgeons with many participants in multidisciplinary sessions offering positive feedback, an article in the latest Australia and New Zealand Journal of Surgery has found.

Why Australian Governments Need to Respond to the Social Determinants of Health

Three prominent leaders from the very different spheres of business, Indigenous affairs and health delivered a joint address to the National Press Club today, entitled A Year of Nothing - Why Australian Governments need to respond to the social determinants of health.

DNA Sequencing Used to Identify Individual Causes of Lupus

[caption id="attachment_9000" align="alignright" width="844"] Dr Julia Ellyard[/caption]

Primary Health Care Services Review Announced

Pain Treatments Less Effective for those with Irritable Bowel

Researchers have discovered  the immune system is defective in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, which is a major reason why sufferers have ongoing issues with pain.

Early Life Nutrition Report Highlights Importance of Diet Before, During and After Giving Birth

Mothers should consider their nutrition during pre-conception, pregnancy and before a child turns three to help protect against the threat of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and allergy in later life, according to a new Early Life Nutrition Report

AMA Welcomes Shrinking Elective Surgery Wait Lists, but Transparency Still Lacking

AMA Victoria has welcomed today’s State Government announcement that elective surgery waiting lists are at a four year low, but ongoing data transparency is still needed for Victorians still waiting for surgery. 

Intensive Care Fatalities linked to After Hours Discharge

Patients who are discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) after-hours have a higher chance of death than those discharged during the day, according to a new study published in Intensive Care Medicine.

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria on the Rise Across Australia

A national study led by University of Adelaide researchers has confirmed that antibiotic resistant strains of disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, are steadily on the rise in Australia.

Improving efficiency of operating theatres

The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Surgical Services Taskforce (SST) is working with clinicians and managers to improve the efficiency of operating theatres and access to emergency and elective surgery in NSW public hospitals, writes Professor Donald MacLellan.