Current News | Nursing.Aust | Library News | College Archives | Media Releases | College Home

International news

NIGERIA: Stirling products in clinical trial of Dzherelo to combat TB & HIV In Nigeria

18 November 2009: Australian healthcare company Stirling Products Limited (ASX:STI) has entered into an agreement with Innovative Biotech Ltd. of Keffi, Nigeria and Maryland, USA to register, trial, and market Dzherelo, the clinical version of ImmunoXel in Nigeria and other regions of Africa. Nigeria with a population of 140 million, like most other African countries has major TB and HIV infection rates.

US: Technology’s Impact on Health Care Reform – A Live Interview

18 November 2009: George Halvorson, CEO of Kaiser Permanente (KP), oversaw a $6 billion dollar effort to align the health care network’s IT infrastructure with better customer service, automated patient records, standardized patient data and more.

US: Single-sex cardiac rehab helps depressed women

17 November 2009: A motivational women-only cardiac rehabilitation program helped reduce symptoms of depression in women with coronary heart disease, a U.S. study has found. Depression, which is more common in female heart disease patients than in males, can interfere with adoption of lifestyle changes meant to improve health and willingness to attend cardiac rehabilitation.

US: Common chemicals making boys soft

17 November 2009: A US study has come to the conclusion that chemicals used to soften up household items may also be making a new generation of soft blokes. Phthalates are used on household items and are present in processed food. New evidence suggests boys who were exposed to high levels of the chemicals in utero are less masculine.

UK: Dementia plans "ambitious" – RCN

16 November 2009: Moves by the Department of Health to tackle the overuse of powerful drugs for the treatment of dementia have been welcomed by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

UK: NHS worker assaulted every ten minutes

16 November 2009: Almost 55,000 physical assaults on staff were reported in 2008/9 with all areas of the health service affected, the NHS Security Management Service said. The majority of the assaults took place in mental health and learning disability services, followed by hospitals.

INT: Major schizophrenia study finds striking similarities across 37 countries in 6 regions

16 November 2009: Research involves 17,384 patients and 1,563 clinicians: An international study of more than 17,000 people with schizophrenia has found striking similarities in symptoms, medication, employment and sexual problems, despite the fact that it covered a diverse range of patients and healthcare systems in 37 different countries.

SGP: $23m in Aussie scholarships for Asian students

15 November 2009: Australia has unveiled an A$18 million (S$23 million) scholarship aimed at building a new generation of regional leaders.

The Australia Awards, as the initiative is called, aims to enhance Canberra's ties with its neighbours in Asia and to stay connected with the scholars that graduate from its institutions.

US: One-time nurse in pitched battle against demons of Alzheimer's

14 November 2009: Five years ago, Sue Pinder, a registered nurse caring for Alzheimer’s patients, began noticing lapses in her own memory. When others began noticing the same lapses, Pinder, 53, began a series of tests that led to a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s, a disease which she knew way too well.

US: Nurse researchers and educators reveal the new faces of HIV/AIDS

15 November 2009: World AIDS Day 2009 will be marked with both grim and hopeful data: more than 25 million people have died of AIDS worldwide since 1981; 33 million are living with HIV/AIDS.

UK: Nurses will need degrees from 2013

12 November 2009: Nurses who start work in the English health service from 2013 will have to be trained to degree level, health minister Ann Keen has announced, claiming that this will make them better equipped to improve the quality of patient care.

UK: Oh nurse, your degree is a symptom of equality disease

14 November 2009

One of the government’s sillier initiatives was its announcement last week that in future all NHS nurses must have a university degree. From 2013, all would-be nurses will have to have taken a three- or four-year university course to enter the profession. The disastrous consequences of this ought to be obvious to the meanest Whitehall intelligence.

US: Health care IT gets personal

Analytics, decision-support, and an array of other health IT tools are helping advance the development of treatments tailored to individuals' needs.

US: New Statistics Released About H1N1 Deaths

13 November 2009

New statistics have been released that show the number of Americans who have died from H1N1 is about four times higher than originally thought.

UK: Move to degrees 'could deter talented would-be nurses'

13 November 2009

Requiring all new nurses to have a degree could discourage talented candidates from the profession, the body behind the change has admitted.

UK: All-graduate nursing debate hots up as minister accuses detractors of sexism

13 November 2009

Health minister Ann Keen has accused media commentators of sexism following yesterday’s coverage about nursing becoming a all-graduate profession. Ms Keen launched a strongly worded attack on commentators who said nurses did not need degrees and should instead focus on “caring”, saying she believed the comments were motivated by sexism.

UK: Whistleblowing hotline for nurses

13 November 2009

Nurses are being urged to ring a whistleblowing hotline if they feel that NHS targets are being put before the care of patients, it has been revealed. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said it was concerned that manipulating or giving priority to statistics was impacting on care. The group has particular concerns over the four-hour emergency care target.

UK: The Royal College of Nursing should reconsider its neutral position on assisted suicide

13 November 2009

It is difficult for the Royal College of Nursing to maintain a neutral position on assisted suicide as it is a moral issue that affects all nurses, argues Paul Wainwright.

UK: 'A double agent, that's what I was'

14 November 2009

Margaret Haywood was struck off as a nurse after she secretly filmed the neglect of elderly patients on an NHS ward. Four years on, she's finally been reinstated, and is about to start work.

US: How many calories would you like with that order?

13 November 2009

In 2006, in a controversial move in response to rising obesity rates, New York City’s Health Department amended the city health code to  require the posting of calorie counts by chain restaurants on menus, menu boards, and item tags.

Nurse practitioners play key role

14 November  2009

Binghamton University and the Decker School of Nursing congratulate all nurse practitioners in the greater Binghamton area and in particular, Decker graduates. Many of the regions surrounding the city of Binghamton are rural and medically underserved. However, since the inception of the nurse practitioner program in 1977, the Decker School has prepared more than 1,000 nurse practitioners, who have been essential to maintaining adequate primary care in our region.

Local news

WEEK COMMENCING 14 NOVEMBER 2009

'We've gone backwards … nursing has gone into the abyss'

19 November 19, 2009: A former senior nurse manager at Nepean Hospital, Dee Wickham, could not face another year battling bureaucrats for more staff. In her 43 years in nursing in the NSW public system, things have never been worse, Ms Wickham said. She is one of hundreds of hospital health workers who have taken redundancy in recent months.

Doctors sick of failure to fix ailing hospitals

19 November 2009: Doctors are appalled by what they say is a complete failure to implement vital reforms in public hospitals recommended a year ago, according to a survey released exclusively to the Herald. It comes as an independent audit of the reforms released by the state Health Minister said hospitals were finding it increasingly difficult to provide quality patient care.

Call to raise drinking age to 19

19 November 2009: Leading mental health advocate Ian Hickie has called for the Prime Minister to push for the drinking age to be raised to 19 to break the connection between school leaving and drinking.

New base must attract doctors

19 November 2009: It's no good doubling the size of the Mackay Base Hospital if you have no doctors or specialists to fill its positions. That was the message from Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland President Dr Mason Stevenson who is in Mackay on a ‘listening tour’. “You cannot build a larger hospital and assume that the work force will suddenly appear,” he said.

Western Health receives hospitals boost

19 November 2009: Western Health welcomed funding from the Government last week to improve elective surgery performance in its three public hospitals. Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon visited Footscray’s Western Hospital to announce the $3.4 million initiative, expected to boost sub acute-care services and reduce long waitlists.

Hospital defends health resources

19 November 2009: The chief executive of Mount Isa Hospital has defended the district's health service after an Australian Medical Association of Queensland (AMAQ) survey suggested doctors were being refused hospital equipment.

Malnourished face significant illness

19 November 2009: Being deprived of food affects the human body in just a few days, says the Australian Medical Association Queensland.

NSW doctors have 'lost hope' in reforms

19 November 2009: Three-quarters of NSW doctors say the state's public hospitals are still in crisis because of the failure to implement much-needed reforms. In the survey, conducted for the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Australian Salaried Medical Officers, doctors complained that changes called for in the landmark Garling Report had not been implemented.

Prima Biomed research program to develop oral delivery system for cervical cancer vaccine

18 November 2009: Melbourne-based health care company Prima BioMed Ltd (ASX: PRR) has moved out of a trading halt to announce it will undertake a research program to develop an oral delivery system for a cervical cancer vaccine. The company has engaged The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and University of Queensland (UQ) to undertake the research program to develop a cost effective oral cervical cancer vaccine in tablet form.

Roxon: Kids and alcohol don't mix

18 November 2009: Changing the culture in Australia from binge drinking to responsible drinking is critical to reducing the harms from alcohol. Parents in particular play a crucial role in this fight by shaping their children’s attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol.

Private health bill goes back to Parliament

18 November 2009: The Federal Government says it will reintroduce its changes to private health insurance in Parliament tomorrow. The bill to means test the rebate was rejected by the Senate in September and if it is voted down again three months later it will create a trigger for an early election.

Scientists assure over Australian bread

18 November 2009: Scientists and the nation's food authority have issued assurances over the fortification of Australia's bread supply with folic acid, after research which draws a link between the nutrient and a higher risk of cancer.

Gallagher: Statement on the Calvary Hospital proposal: preparing for the ACT's future health care needs

18 November 2009: Health care is something that we are all likely to need at some stage in our lives so it is not surprising that the proposed changes to the governance and ownership of Calvary Public Hospital and Clare Holland House have generated considerable community interest. The proposal for the ACT Government to buy the hospital from Little Company of Mary Health Care (LCMHC) and transfer ownership of Clare Holland House hospice to LCMHC- the current operators of the facility- has generated a diverse range of responses from the community.

$7 million to fight malaria

18 November 2009: The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, and the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, have announced funding of $7 million to fight malaria during a meeting with Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Lack of vitamin D 'linked to strokes'

17 November 2009: Insufficient intake of vitamin D, long known to play a key role in bone health, may significantly increase a person's risk of stroke, heart disease and even death, a US study said.

Govt urged to regulate wind turbine locations

17 November 2009: A farmer at Mount Bryan in mid-north South Australia says the South Australian Government should look at setting limits on how close wind turbines can be built to houses. Andy Thomas says low humming from the Hallet Two turbines just over a kilometre from his house disrupts his sleep and causes headaches.

South Australia needs overseas nurses to overcome shortage

17 November 2009: South Australia must "open the doors" to overseas nurses to solve the workforce crisis in the profession, Business SA states. The Australian Nursing Federation estimates SA is short of about 500 nurses and that number will rise to about 5000 by 2020.

Many still believe depression comes with motherhood

16 November 2009: Most people think depression is a ''normal'' part of pregnancy and women do not need treatment, according to a survey by the mental health group beyondblue.

AMA Indigenous health report card 2009: the health of Indigenous males: building capacity, securing the future

16 November 2009: The 2009 Indigenous report card of the Australian Medical Association focuses on Indigenous male health. Statistical data are provided on the health status of Indigenous males and details are included of risk and protective factors within a social determinant framework. This report draws on implications for the medical service and workforce in terms of capacity building to better secure the future social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous males.

Kindergarten health day for koorie kids

16 November 2009: Parents getting their children ready to enter kindergarten were able to learn all about health care services available for their children last week at Lake Guyatt.

e-Health providing solutions to worldwide health challenges 

16 November 2009: Technology is changing the way health care is delivered and providing answers to challenges such as an ageing population, public health threats such as pandemics and natural disasters, and healthcare access in developing countries.

Govt to push on health insurance rebate

16 November 2009: The Rudd government is pushing ahead with its plan to means test the private health insurance rebate, with Labor to reintroduce the once-defeated legislation on Thursday.

Bundaberg dental patients exposed to unsterilised equipment

16 November 2009: Bundaberg Dental Clinic patients have been treated with unsterilised equipment, potentially exposing them to blood-borne diseases such as HIV. However Australian Medical Association Queensland infectious disease spokesman Mike Whitby said the risk was "extremely low".

Snowdon: Health infrastructure funding for remote communities

16 November 2009: Australia’s rural and remote health service providers are now able to access funding for essential health infrastructure and equipment in a new grant round. The round is the fourth under the $46 million National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP). Applications opened on the 14th of November and close on the 29th of January 2010.

Roxon: National Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign

16 November 2009: The Government is today launching the 2009/10 National Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign, with a focus on the dangers of cumulative exposure to the sun, particularly for young Australians.

Roxon: Private health insurance membership rises again

16 November 2009: Figures released today show that more Australians are continuing to take out private health insurance (PHI) membership. A total of 44.7 per cent of all Australians were covered by private hospital insurance in the September 2009 quarter. This is the highest proportion of people with hospital insurance since December 2001.

Elliot: Rural and regional aged care workers to benefit from $2.6 million training initiative

16 November 2009: Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot today announced $2.6 million to provide training for 4000 staff working in rural and regional aged care homes.

Gillard, Roxon: National call for regional cancer centres applications

15 November 2009: Applications for the Rudd Government’s $560 million Regional Cancer Centres are now open via a national advertising campaign. Eligible public or private organisations will be able to apply for infrastructure funding to establish new or enhanced regional cancer centres.

National Breastfeeding Strategy endorsed and more progress on e-health and elective surgery

13 November 2009: Health Ministers today met in Adelaide to discuss a range of issues including e-health, improving elective surgery performance, and strengthening accountability and performance reporting in the health system. The meeting was chaired by South Australian Health Minister, John Hill.

Dying to get a tan this summer?

15 November 2009: National Skin Cancer Action Week raises awareness of skin cancer and sun protection issues at the start of the summer season. Hosted by the Cancer Council in conjunction with the Australasian College of Dermatologists, it runs from November 15-21 and involves a number of educational and promotional initiatives.

Clinics to stay open longer

15 November 2009: The Australian Medical Association has welcomed a State Government plan to fund GP clinics to stay open longer and is calling on the Federal Government to also contribute to the scheme.

Fine for booze at teen house parties

15 November 2009

A leading health institute has proposed hefty fines for anyone providing booze to children without their parents' consent.

Roxon: Government supports World Diabetes Day

14 November 2009

Today is World Diabetes Day - with the theme 'Understand diabetes and take control.' There are more than eight hundred thousand Australians diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and this figure is projected to rise substantially in the next 10-15 years. We also know that there are a large number of people who have diabetes, but are not yet aware of it.

Govt pushes to pass health agency bill

14 November 2009

The federal government has used World Diabetes Day to urge the Senate to approve a new preventative health agency.

Breastfeeding just doesn't work out for some mums

14 November 2009

Rewind to four and half months ago. I was in hospital, having just given birth for the first time. There I was in a private room with no shirt on and no bra. I couldn't. My nipples were red raw from breastfeeding and blood was dripping on to the carpet. Tears were falling on top of the splatters.

Hospitals breastfeeding 'key' for new mums

14 November 2009

A leading obstetrician has questioned the worth of the national breastfeeding strategy and instead called for more beds in public maternity hospitals. Gino Pecoraro, the Australian Medical Association Queensland's president-elect, said allowing new mothers to stay in hospital longer would improve breastfeeding rates and reduce the risk of post-natal depression.

Sick of secret doctors' business

14 November 2009

Somewhere in Australia is a private hospital where patients die at nearly twice the rate considered normal. In the three years to 2006, 199 more people died there than would have been expected for a hospital of its size and patient variety.

Nursing mothers to get more support in 'breast is best' push

14 November 2009

Mothers will be encouraged to feed their babies only breast milk for the first six months as part of an ambitious new national breastfeeding policy.

Expert comment on national breastfeeding strategy

13 November 2009

A national strategy to boost breastfeeding rates is being launched by the Health Minister Nicola Roxon today, at the meeting of State health ministers in Adelaide. Priorities are set to include increasing community acceptance of breastfeeding, establishing support networks for pregnant women and improving breastfeeding training for health professionals.

Roxon: September quarter Medicare statistics

13 November 2009

In the September quarter 2009, a total of $4.0 billion was paid in Medicare benefits for 79.1 million services.