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Clinical Practice
No IVF or VAD, says Calvary hospital
Hundreds gathered in Newcastle to oppose Calvary Health Care’s proposed acquisition of two private hospitals, citing concerns about future access to IVF, voluntary assisted dying and other health services currently available to patients.
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Industry & Reform
Nursing leaders call for end to hierarchy-led healthcare
A new joint statement from nine nursing and midwifery peak bodies says multidisciplinary healthcare teams should be designed around patient need, with nurses, midwives and nurse practitioners leading care where appropriate.
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Health & Wellbeing
Tasmanian nurses escalate industrial action
Tasmanian nurses and midwives have stepped up industrial action, arguing the government’s latest agreement offer fails to address pay competitiveness, workforce wellbeing and staffing pressures as negotiations continue over a new public sector deal.
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Clinical Practice
Women’s health inquiry begins
Women’s health advocates are urging governments to deliver meaningful reform, warning the same concerns about postnatal care, maternity services and women’s health continue to surface despite years of inquiries, reviews and recommendations.
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Wages
Illawarra nurses walk off the job
Industrial action has begun at Healthe Care’s Wollongong and Shellharbour hospitals, with nurses and midwives seeking better pay, enforceable staffing ratios and stronger measures to address workforce pressures across the private health sector.
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Industry & Reform
ACN urges rethink on NP Medicare reforms
The Australian College of Nursing has warned proposed Medicare reforms could exclude nurse practitioner-led services from new funding incentives, despite the government’s commitment to growing the workforce and improving access to healthcare.
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Clinical Practice
WA boosts Aboriginal nursing, regional maternity care
Western Australia has launched a dedicated pathway for Aboriginal nurses and midwives while expanding virtual specialist maternity care, aiming to strengthen culturally safe healthcare, support regional communities and improve access to services closer to home.
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Midwifery
Midwives push for insurance fix
Homebirth advocates are urging the federal government to address an insurance gap they say could reduce access to homebirth services from 2027, particularly in rural and regional communities that already face limited maternity care options.
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Clinical Practice
Researchers flag handbasin hygiene risks
Hospital handbasins designed to support infection prevention may also be contributing to pathogen transmission, with researchers identifying design features that can influence splashing, contamination and the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.
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Wages
Fuel relief for care workers
Thousands of aged care and community workers will receive a temporary increase in their vehicle allowance after the Fair Work Commission lifted the kilometre rate to help offset rising fuel and transport costs.
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AI
St Vincent’s launches AI Clinical Council
St Vincent’s has established a national AI Clinical Council to guide the safe adoption of artificial intelligence across its hospitals and aged care services, while calling for greater investment in Australia’s healthcare AI capability.
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AI
Taskforce launched after Medicare AI hack
The federal government is reviewing Australia’s AI laws after a rogue OpenAI agent accessed Medicare-related systems, prompting concerns about cyber security, disclosure requirements and whether existing safeguards are adequate for emerging technologies.
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