Health
Clinicians at a leading paediatric hospital have been wearing gloves not tested or approved for administering chemotherapy, raising concerns about potential exposure to toxic chemicals. The hospital has launched an investigation and replaced the gloves with ones that meet the standard.
A Victorian coroner is investigating a case in which a person used voluntary assisted dying medication supplied to their partner. The incident has highlighted the importance of grief support for families and carers of VAD applicants.
Doctors and allied health professionals in Victoria's public hospitals have gone on strike over pay and working conditions, with doctors undertaking a four-hour work stoppage and allied health professionals striking for 24 hours. The industrial action comes amid year-long bargaining processes with the government that remain at a standstill.
Doctors at Victoria's public hospitals are planning to walk off the job later this week amid an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions. The industrial action could see up to 10,000 professionals stop work, with disruptions to elective surgeries possible.
The Victorian government has announced that paramedics will become the first responders to mental health call-outs, rather than police, in an effort to improve health outcomes for patients and free up police to focus on crime. The move has been met with criticism from the Victorian Ambulance Union, which claims it was not consulted about the directive.
An independent review of Epworth HealthCare's governance framework has found no significant gaps, but made 21 recommendations to improve its clinical governance arrangements. The review was triggered by allegations against a gynaecologist who allegedly performed unnecessary operations on women.
The Royal Children's Hospital's $50 million expansion nears completion, but 20 new beds will go unused due to a lack of funding for extra staff. Hospital staff are expressing their frustration and devastation over the development.
Victoria is likely to experience a more active hayfever season due to the state's warm and wet winter. The conditions have created an ideal environment for tree and grass pollen to thrive, with Melbourne already experiencing high levels of tree pollen.
Residents in the Wimmera region are calling for a 24/7 mental health facility to be established in Horsham, citing the need for easier access to treatment and services closer to home. The push comes as data shows the region has disproportionately high rates of mental health distress and illness.
A regional health service is facing overwhelming demand amid a late flu season, with doctors advised to consider discharging patients earlier and without physical consultant review. The health service is experiencing a sustained surge in respiratory illness, with a 61-bed deficit reported by advocacy group Better Border Health.
Australia is experiencing a late surge in influenza infections, but with a predicted lower total number of cases compared to last year. The flu season has arrived later than usual, with several jurisdictions recording delayed peaks.
Victorian health regulators have issued an interim ban against a second Melbourne man accused of pretending to be a doctor. The order follows a police investigation into alleged steroid trafficking and botched medical treatments.
A spike in long-term emergency room stays has exposed a dangerous overcrowding crisis in regional Victoria's public hospitals. Frontline doctors warn that patient safety is being compromised as they launch industrial action over unsustainable working conditions.
A local coronial inquest has wrapped up after investigating the tragic death of 46-year-old Kate Manley at Albury Hospital. The inquiry heard how a five-hour transfer delay and complex cross-border administrative systems may have contributed to her fatal pulmonary embolism.
A comprehensive review published in The BMJ reveals that occupational pesticide exposure could increase the risk of developing ALS by up to 70 percent, particularly among male workers. While farming advocates emphasize the necessity of these chemicals, health experts are calling for more targeted research.
An 18-month-old Busselton boy is preparing for an emotional return home to Western Australia following a successful heart transplant in Melbourne. After tragically losing their firstborn son to the same heart condition, the Forster family is celebrating a miraculous second chance.
Public hospital doctors across major Melbourne facilities will stop work on August 13 in an unprecedented strike over mounting fatigue, unpaid overtime, and stagnant pay negotiations. The industrial action marks the first protected strike by Victorian hospital doctors in two decades, though emergency care will remain fully operational.
A groundbreaking early childhood intervention program in South Brisbane is transforming how families access vital developmental support for their children. By embedding services directly into community hubs and learning centres, the initiative removes common barriers and fosters easier access to care.
Previously undisclosed reports and extensive data reveal that workers constructing the nation's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects were repeatedly exposed to dangerously high levels of invisible silica dust. This alarming discovery highlights significant health risks, with one long-term tunnel builder already diagnosed with a severe, incurable lung disease.
A significant disparity in regional hospital funding pledges by the Victorian Coalition has ignited a fierce debate, with community groups in Mildura questioning why their region is promised a redevelopment while West Gippsland receives a new hospital. Critics are demanding transparency and equitable investment for vital healthcare infrastructure across the state.
A local woman endured a harrowing ordeal when her family was wrongly informed of her death, stemming from a critical identity mix-up at a major hospital. The incident exposed alarming failures in patient identification and data management, causing profound distress and prompting a legal investigation.
Australia's booming anti-aging industry is under fire for exploiting regulatory loopholes, potentially exposing consumers to significant health risks through unproven and unapproved treatments. A recent investigation revealed how easily individuals can access these injectables from wellness clinics, despite expert warnings about their safety and efficacy.
A startling investigation has uncovered dangerous industrial chemicals in a brand of vodka readily available in Melbourne, raising serious health concerns for consumers. Experts warn the contaminated spirit, retailing at an unusually low price, highlights critical gaps in Australia's alcohol regulation system.
A major cyber attack has targeted Partnered Health, a national network of GP and skin cancer clinics, leading to the theft of sensitive patient medical records. The company is working with authorities, has obtained a court injunction, and is notifying affected patients while urging vigilance against scams.
Mildura Base Public Hospital is navigating an unexpected leadership change following the immediate departure of CEO Terry Welch. Matthew Jukes will step into the interim role as the search for a permanent leader commences.
A comprehensive analysis has revealed a significant reduction in heroin-related ambulance call-outs in Richmond since the opening of Melbourne's medically supervised injecting facility. The report indicates a nearly 71 per cent decrease in emergency responses over its first five years, highlighting the facility's public health impact amidst ongoing community debate.
A Central Victorian mother recounts the 'traumatic' seven-hour wait her 20-month-old daughter endured for stitches, shining a spotlight on the severe pressures currently facing regional hospital emergency departments. This lengthy delay occurred amidst reports of surging patient numbers, ambulance ramping, and critical internal alerts at Bendigo Health.
A scathing exposé reveals a deeply entrenched 'toxic' workplace culture within Albury Wodonga Health's mental health service, driving experienced clinicians away and raising critical concerns about patient safety, including a tragic inpatient death.