Archived News for Health Sector Professionals
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.
The Fund has been established provide up to 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages.
“The National Workforce Development Fund marks a new direction in training Australians which puts industry at the heart of the process,” Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations Senator Chris Evans said.
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.
Tasmanian Government details health spending cuts
The Tasmanian Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne has outlined a number of spending cuts to the state’s health sector, following the austere state budget that called for over $100 million to be pulled from state’s health system.
Report finds room for improvement in children's health
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has reported that while the health of children is generally faring well across the country, there is room for significant improvement in several areas.
AIHW publishes drug report
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released the 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Report, finding a mixed result for the consumption rates of smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use.
Funding awarded to develop virtual planning system for mental health
One of the most advanced virtual reality simulations ever applied to an Australian health care system is set to shape the future of mental health services.
New glandular fever, genes and MS link
Scientists working on the Australian-based Ausimmune Study have discovered that a past infection with glandular fever, also known as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), combined with genetic variations in the immune system can greatly increase a person’s risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).
Researcher receives leading NSW cancer research award
Achieving significant advances in the study of cancer cells and their ability to reproduce has seen University of Sydney researcher, Professor Roger Reddel awarded the Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year at the Cancer Institute NSW Premier's Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research.
New Centre for Nanomedicine launched
A new nanomedicine centre at the University of New South Wales, the first of its kind in Australia, will research new treatments for difficult-to-treat diseases including aggressive childhood cancer and lung cancer.
The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine (ACN), was launched by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb. The centre brings together medical and clinical researchers with specialists in nanotechnology, engineering and chemistry to create new treatments for disease.
Professor Chubb said work like the ACN's was central to the purpose of Australia's universities.
"The purpose of universities is to use our talents to make the world a better place," Professor Chubb said.
"Nanomedicine will enable better delivery of drugs and vital therapies to individuals who would not prosper without that treatment."
The ACN, in partnership with the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) and UNSW’s Lowy Cancer Research Centre, is targeting neuroblastoma among its initial projects. Neuroblastoma is a difficult-to-treat cancer – the most common tumour in children under five years of age and one which has one of the lowest survival rates – 40 to 50 per cent.
University of Queensland to install Australia's most powerful MRI
The University of Queensland (UQ) has entered into a landmark agreement with technology specialist Siemens, to install a powerful MRI system that is more than twice as strong as any other system currently available in the Southern Hemisphere.