Archived News for Health Sector Professionals
The long term strategy for improving the lives of Australians with disability, their families and carers has been launched by the Federal Government.
The National Disability Strategy sets a 10 year reform plan for all governments to address the barriers faced by Australians with disability and will ensure that mainstream services and programs including healthcare, housing, transport and education, address the needs of people with disability.
The Strategy is supported by a range of community participation initiatives to remove barriers and expand opportunities for people with disability and their carers:
- $5 million to support local governments to make public spaces more accessible;
- $3 million to support leadership development for people with disability;
- $1 million to promote liveable housing design;
- $1 million to provide digital playback devices and improved access to digital content in public libraries;
- $500,000 to improve cinema access for people with hearing and vision impairment;
- $500,000 for the disability website, Ramp Up.
NSW Opposition releases Preventative Health Fighting Fund
The New South Wales Liberals and Nationals have outlined a new $120 million " Preventative Health Fighting Fund" designed to reduce "avoidable" hospital admissions and improve quality of life for families.
"Robust debate" to improve Victoria's mental health laws
Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge has unveiled a plan to use a series of in depth discussions to "promote robust debate and discussion" on ways to improve mental health care and Victorian mental health laws.
Melbourne Health's Respecting our Community Action Plan launched
Victorian Health Minister David Davis launched Melbourne Health’s Respecting our Community Action Plan.
Draft ACT Primary Health Care Strategy released
The draft ACT Primary Health Care Strategy has been released for public consultation, setting out seven priority areas for action to improve primary health care in the Territory.
Tasmanian health care projects recognised
Six workplace initiatives by the Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services to improve patient and client care have been recognised by the awarding of this year’s Innovations in Practice Awards.
Funding to lift South Australian hospital beds and mental health facilities
South Australia’s hospital system will have an additional 179 sub-acute beds and places with a focus on mental health as a result of new Commonwealth funding of $134 million for 12 South Australian projects.
Two new mental health rehabilitation centres will be built at Whyalla and Mount Gambier, three mental health crisis respite units will be built in the metropolitan area and a new ambulatory rehabilitation centre will be built at the Repatriation General Hospital.
Victorian Health Incident Management System launched
The Victorian Health Incident Management System is now fully operational and will provide a system for reporting and monitoring any errors that occur within the hospital system.
Inquiry into mental health and workforce participation
The House of Representatives Education and Employment Committee is undertaking an inquiry into obstacles blocking access to education, training and employment opportunities for people with mental health issues.
Draft report on Disability Care and Support released
The Productivity Commission has called for written submissions on its draft report on Disability Care and Support by 30 April.
Clinical Trials Action Group's recommendations accepted
The Federal Government has accepted the recommendations of the Clinical Trials Action Group report and will introduce changes intended to increase pharmaceutical research and development and improve the clinical trials approval process.
Australian Health Survey commences
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has commenced its Australian Health Survey, which will be conducted over 2011-12 with summary results available in late 2012.
The survey will involve about 50,000 randomly sampled adults and children from across Australia and will give a ‘snapshot’ of Australia’s health.
The survey builds on previous ABS health surveys, dating back to 1977, and includes an expanded nutrition and physical activity component to collect information on the population’s food and nutrient intake and physical activity levels.
It will also include for the first time a voluntary biomedical component, where blood and urine samples collected from survey participants will be analysed to provide information on chronic disease risk factors like high cholesterol and levels of nutrients such as iron or B vitamins.
The Australian Government is investing $48 million in the survey, with the National Heart Foundation contributing a further $4 million for this survey round.
MASSIVE computing research facility launched
A new computing facility called MASSIVE – or Multi-modal Australian ScienceS Imaging and Visualisation Environment – is the latest tool in the fight against serious and life-threatening illnesses including lung disease, diabetes, AIDS and cancer.
Queensland Health Database of Research Activity released
The Queensland Health Database of Research Activity (DoRA) has been released.
Queensland Government defends waiting list problems
Queensland's acting Premier, Paul Lucas, has defended the state's waiting list problems, following claims that people are waiting years for a specialist appointment.
Launceston General Hospital acknowledged for excellence
Tasmania's Launceston General Hospital has been recognised for its high quality of care.
Chief Medical Officer steps down
Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, has announced he his leaving the post in order to be closer to his family in Melbourne.
2011 NHMRC Australia Fellowships awarded
Six world-class researchers have been recognised with the presentation of the 2011 NHMRC Australia Fellowships.
Vaccine Safety Surveillance goes online
A senior children's doctor says a new vaccine monitoring system will provide quick advice to parents of children who get sick after receiving vaccinations.
ANSTO health and safety practices to be reviewed
The Australian Government has formed a high-level panel to evaluate health and safety practices at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation radiopharmaceuticals facility – ANSTO Health.
NHMRC Development Grants announced
Funding totalling $7.4 million has been awarded to 18 research teams under the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Development Grants scheme.