Australians can now opt out of My Health Record. Starting today and for the next three months, the Australian Digital Health Agency is giving all consumers the opportunity to decide whether they want an online summary of their key health ...

New Zealand nurses and midwives have wrapped up industrial action this morning. The strike was held following an online vote by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s (NZNO) 30,000-strong membership through which the majority rejected the latest proposed District Health Boards ...

Dogs have taken on many roles in society, from security guard to family companion. In the health sector, they've been included in programs known as pet therapy to rehabilitate patients. Studies reveal the positive effects it has in a hospital ...

As children, our parents or guardians likely told us to wash our hands to get rid of germs – and these directives might still be playing a role in health professionals’ handwashing practices, an infection control expert has suggested. UNSW ...

A fast-tracked emergency department program for elderly patients is now accessible in regional and remote areas of Queensland. The initiative, which was co-developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS), has been established ...

Prospective university students might be turned off a career in nursing under changes to university loan repayment thresholds, the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has warned. The college said the move might exacerbate anticipated workforce shortages – a dearth of ...

A drug commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction is being given to women during labour in a Brisbane trial. More than 200 women have taken part in a randomised trial involving sildenafil – sold under the brand name Viagra. When taken in ...

Unannounced audits have begun rolling out across Australia’s aged care homes. July 1 marked the start date for the new system, under which aged care homes will no longer receive notices for the dates of re-accreditation audits. The move was ...

It happens to clinicians too. That’s one of the key messages of a study investigating intimate partner and family violence among female healthcare workers in Australia. For the study, Elizabeth McLindon from the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s ...

A critical shortage of O-negative blood across Australia has sparked the latest Red Cross Blood Service appeal for donors to come forward. The blood service is urging people with O-negative blood to make a donation as its reserves dip to ...