Archived News for Health Sector Professionals
Peak employer and union bodies have signed a Joint Statement of Commitment with the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon to promote healthier workplaces and healthier workers.
Ms Roxon said the commitment would provide national leadership to all workplaces, helping to further promote more health workforce programs across the country.
The Commitment represents a partnership between the Federal Government and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Industry Group, the Business Council of Australia and the Council of Small Business of Australia and the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
The Joint Statement of Commitment is a component of the Healthy Workers Initiative—a part of the Government’s $872 million National Partnership on Preventive Health (NPAPH).
Up to $295 million will be invested through the Healthy Workers Initiative to state and territory governments from 1 July 2011 to design, deliver and monitor programs to reduce rates of overweight and obesity, and increase both levels of physical activity and intake of fruit and vegetables. Programs to assist with smoking cessation and reducing harmful levels of alcohol consumption will also be supported.
The Healthy Community Initiative will also provide $72 million in funding to local governments, while the Healthy Children Initiative will fund up to $325.5 million for state and territory programs to improve nutrition and increase physical activity for children and young people through early childhood education and care environments and schools.
For more information about the Healthy Workers Joint Statement, visit http://www.healthyworkers.gov.au/
Acting Director appointed to Professional Services Review
Dr William Coote has been appointed the Acting Director of the Professional Services Review, replacing Dr Tony Webber who has been in the position for the past six years
New membership of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality Council announced
The new membership of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality Council (formerly the National Indigenous Health Equality Council) has been announced.
Nursing federation disappointed by aged care report
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has expressed its disappointment with the findings of the final Productivity Commission (PC) report into aged care, saying that the findings fail to address the systemic problems of the industry.
Rural and Remote Health Workforce Innovation and Reform Strategy to be developed
Health Workforce Australia is developing a Rural and Remote Health Workforce Innovation and Reform (RRHWIR) Strategy that will provide national guidance on future needs, reforms and initiatives to improve the health care services in rural and remote communities.
New Local Health Networks to guide WA's health system
The Western Australian Government has established five Local Health Networks to guide and oversee hospitals and health services across the State.
National Disability Insurance Scheme to be introduced
The Federal Government has announced that it will start work immediately with states and territories on measures that will build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, following the release of the Productivity Commission's final report into the matter.
New measures announced to achieve Tasmanian health budget cuts
The Tasmanian Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne, has announced a further $25 million in health budget savings measures as part of the $100 million of required savings from the state’s 2011 $1.7 billion health and human services budget. The latest cost cutting takes the the savings announced since the State Budget to more than $70 million.
Aged care a focus in new National Workforce Development Fund
The Federal Government's new $558 million National Workforce Development Fund will target training for the aged care workforce as one of its priorities in the 2011-12 funding round.
Public consultation on Tasmanian Health Organisations
A public consultation process has been opened on a draft bill to set up three Tasmanian Health Organisations (THO), local hospital networks which are being delivered under the National Health Reform.
Productivity Commission releases aged care report
The Productivity Commission has released its report into aged care, suggesting a range of reforms that would allow for greater choices and flexibility for the elderly.
New hope for infectious disease treatments
A University of Newcastle scientist has developed a technique to stop viruses and bacteria multiplying in the human body, paving the way for new drugs to treat infectious disease, cancer and neurological disorders.
Report sets reform agenda for elective surgery and emergency access
The report of the Expert Panel Review of Elective Surgery and Emergency Access has been released, outlining a program of investment and whole-of-hospital change that would be necessary to achieve the targets set out in the Targets National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services.
Report shows some improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
A report on the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, released by the Australian Health Ministers Conference, has shown a narrowing of the gap for all cause mortality and avoidable mortality, and improvements in some health performance measures.
The third report against Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework (HPF) is designed to measure progress on closing the gap in Indigenous health and to stimulate debate and policy innovation in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
WA launches GP recruitment campaign
The press and online campaign featuring local doctors working in the region will run nationally as well as internationally in countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, where the medical training is recognised by the Australian Medical Council’s Competent Authority Pathway.
New members appointed to WA Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention
The Western Australian Government has announced the appointment of new members to the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention to implement Western Australia’s first Suicide Prevention Strategy.
More funding urgently needed for new aged care nurses
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has called for an injection of almost $500 million to close the wages gap and attract 20,000 new nursing staff.
Funding to combat Hendra
The Federal Government has announced a $6 million spending package to combat the Hendra virus.
Federal Government finalises health reform
The Federal Government has signed off with all states and territories on details of the national health reform, agreed to in principle by COAG in February.
Needle-free vaccination commercialised
Needless vaccination technology developed by the University of Queensland is due to be commercialised under funding by the Federal Government’s Innovation Investment Fund.
NSW Committee to develop Health and Medical Research Strategy
The Minister for Health and Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, has delivered on her pre-election promise to make medical research a priority by announcing the team which will develop the state’s first long-term plan to future-proof the industry.