Archived News for Health Sector Professionals - September, 2012
The Federal Government has announced the full membership of the Advisory Panel on Positive Ageing, enlisting a range of eminent Australians with strong experience in issues facing seniors.
Funding for aged care projects
The Federal Government has announced $10.2 million in funding for 26 projects to better prepare the aged care workforce to cater for increased demand.
Exercising severely ill patients earlier improves recovery
A study examining the health and recovery benefits of early exercise in hospitalised patients with life-threatening illness or injury will lead to future trials of early mobilization (EM) programs in intensive care units (ICU).
Health risk factors on the rise: AIHW report
A report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has found that many health risk factors are on the rise, although some, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, have dropped among certain age groups, particularly among young people.
AMA releases position papers on use of GPs in emergencies
The Australian Medical Association has released two new Position Statements outlining the role of GPs in emergencies and natural disasters and how best to support GPs in these situations.
Queensland Health restructure sees 2,754 job losses
The Queensland Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg, has announced the corporate restructure of Queensland Health which will see the loss of 2,754 jobs, including 1217 full-time-equivalent jobs from the corporate head office and 1537 from Queensland Health's 17 regions, now run by hospital and health boards.
ACT sub-acute hospital to be located at University of Canberra
The ACT Government has announced that the Territory’s new sub-acute hospital will be located at the University of Canberra.
Private hospitals drive surge in caesareans, inductions
A new study led by the University of Western Sydney has found low risk women giving birth in private hospitals in New South Wales are much more likely to have obstetric interventions such as inductions and caesareans compared to low risk women giving birth in public hospitals.
NSW seeks mental health commissioners and advisers
NSW Minister for Mental Health, Kevin Humphries, and NSW Mental Health Commissioner, John Feneley, have announced that applications are now open for Deputy Commissioners of the NSW Mental Health Commission, and for members of the Mental Health Community Advisory Council.
Mr Humphries said the Commission will appoint up to three part-time Deputy Commissioners, with at least one being a person who has or has had a mental illness.
“During the extensive public consultations we held across the State to allow the community to provide input into the scope and direction of the Commission, one of the strongest messages we heard was that it was important that at a senior level within the Commission there should be first-hand experience of mental illness,” Mr Humphries said.
“The expertise gained through the lived experience of mental illness will provide a unique and informed insight into many of the challenges the Mental Health Commission has been set up to overcome.
“The Deputy Commissioners will play a vital role in the operation of the Commission and will be charged with providing high level advocacy for people with a mental illness, their carers, families and the mental health community, as well as act as champions for reform.”
NSW Mental Health Commissioner John Feneley said the Commission is also seeking applications for up to 14 members for the Mental Health Community Advisory Council.
“The Council’s primary function will be to provide strategic, independent advice to the Commission on a range of mental health issues, and will play a hugely important role in the successful operation of the Commission,” Mr Feneley said.
“The candidates will be people who are extremely committed to improving the State’s mental health system.
“I expect they come from a diverse range of fields, from clinicians with decades of experience to people who have first-hand experience of mental health issues and how they can affect families, friends and carers.”
For further information call 9859 5200 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Applications close 8th October 2012.
Queensland budget to boost health spend
The Queensland budget has allocated an extra $816 million to Queensland Health this year, with the majority of the additional funding earmarked for the newly created Hospital and Health Services.
WA to consolidate cardiothoracic and trauma specialties
The WA Government has announced that the Fiona Stanley Hospital will deliver cardiothoracic surgery services when it opens in 2014 and Royal Perth Hospital will retain the State’s major adult trauma centre.
Health Consumers NSW launched to provide feedback on health policy
The NSW Government has launched a new organisation, Health Consumers NSW, which will give patients, carers and all those who access the NSW health system a voice to inform health policy and delivery.
AMA releases position paper on intern allocation
The Australian Medical Association has released its Position Statement on National Intern Allocation, outlining its approach to dealing with the problem of a shortage of intern training positions.
New device relieves muscle pain
Using a hand held device the size of a computer mouse for just 30 minutes could significantly change how people deal with, and recover from, the pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions.
Funding for integrated aged care teaching
The Federal Government will provide funding for projects across Australia to create integrated aged care teaching centres.
New NT Health Minister appointed
Member for Fong Lim, David Tollner, has been appointed the Northern Territory’s Minister for Health, Minister for Alcohol Policy and Minister for Essential Services.
NSW Medical Devices Fund launched
The New South Wales Minister for Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, has announced the establishment of the Medical Devices Fund and called for applications to support the development and commercialisation of medical devices in NSW.
Preliminary analysis of National Health Survey released
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released its preliminary analysis of the National Health Survey 2007-08, Social distribution of health risks and health outcomes.