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WEEK COMMENCING 10 JULY 2010

MyHospitals website

16 July 2010: The Health Minister Nicola Roxon has announced that her promised MyHospitals website will be up and running in August. It was part of the $5 billion health deal Kevin Rudd struck with the states and it’s in the same vein as Julia Gillard's MySchool website.

Comment: Mental health daze

16 July 2010: The Economist recently reported that more overseas companies are introducing mental well-being programs. It makes sense: a sixth of the British workforce suffers from depression or stress, and mental health illnesses cost British employers US$26 billion a year. The Economist says American research shows “presenteeism” (where those suffering mental ill health problems turn up to work, but do not contribute) costs twice as much as absenteeism.

Protests after Gold Coast Hopsital's birth centre closed over safety concerns

16 July 2010: Pregnant women, midwives and supporters of the birth centre at the Gold Coast Hospital are rallying outside the hospital today to demand that the centre, which was closed unexpectedly last night, be reopened immediately. The Australian College of Midwives Queensland spokesperson Jenny Gamble said there had been no official statement about the closure, which happened "without notice and for no reason", but midwives had been told it was due to concerns about "the skills of midwives and safety concerns".

Roxon: Communities get together to get fit, keep fit & lose weight

15 July 2010: Communities right round Australia will be walking, cycling, lifting and eating their way to good health thanks to $6 million in grants announced today. It is expected that when fully operational these programs will be helping at least 150,000 people improve their health.

Nicola Roxon mulls options to win over the west

15 July 2010: Nicola Roxon is considering "a couple of options" under which the Barnett government would sign up to Labor's $50 billion health reform. This was revealed yesterday by West Australian Health Minister Kim Hames. Dr Hames said any deal would be specially tailored to Western Australia, and he expected to hear back from Ms Roxon before the federal election.

Health Minister to set up diabetes expert group

15 July 2010: Following criticism of the Government’s plan to transform diabetes care the Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, has announced she will appoint an expert group to advise on the scheme. Under the $449 million proposal, people with diabetes will be encouraged to sign up with a GP practice for ongoing care.

Roxon sets up diabetes expert group

15 July 2010: The Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, has moved to temper criticism of Labor's controversial plan to transform diabetes care, announcing she will appoint an expert group to advise on the scheme. Her announcement last night follows opposition from doctors' groups to the centrepiece of the health reforms: the $450 million diabetes integrated care scheme.

GPs snub minister Nicola Roxon on diabetes

15 July 2010: The federal government is facing mounting pressure to amend its $450 million program for diabetes patients. The push comes after the peak GP body said it did not support the government plan just 48 hours after Health Minister Nicola Roxon claimed it did.

Health providers need to do more to understand and support lesbians who are overweight

15 July 2010: Healthcare professionals need to develop greater understanding of the specific needs of lesbian patients and adopt a more sensitive approach to the advice they give them, according to research in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing. The study revealed important generational differences in the women's attitudes towards their weight, and being overweight, together with an overall greater tolerance of different body shapes. It also showed that homophobia and social exclusion could lead to stress, anxiety and depression, creating barriers to changing unhealthy behaviour.

Health deal unlikely before election

14 July 2010: The impasse between WA and the Federal Government over its $50 billion health plan is unlikely to be resolved before the coming election. Ms Roxon says she cannot predict when, or if, there will be a breakthrough.

Election not driving the Government to close hospitals deal, says Nicola Roxon

14 July 2010: Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the impending election is not driving Canberra to quickly close a deal with West Australian Premier Colin Barnett on a national hospitals plan. Ms Roxon is in Perth and will talk by phone with Mr Barnett later today about the Commonwealth's $50 billion health reform plan.

Roxon: Leading organisations to run nursing and allied health scholarship scheme

14 July 2010: Two expert organisations with proven track records have been appointed by the Gillard Government to administer the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS). Following an open selection process, the Royal College of Nursing Australia (RCNA) has been appointed as administrator of nursing scholarships under the NAHSSS. Allied health scholarships under the NAHSSS will be administered by the peak rural allied health organisation, Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health Inc (SARRAH), which is also experienced and possesses expertise in managing allied health scholarships for the Australian Government.

New facility to train nurses in wound management

14 July: Clinical training for doctors, nurses and other health professionals in Western Australia will be boosted with the development of a high technology education centre dedicated to wound management. As part of the Australian Government’s reform to the health and hospital system, Health Minister Nicola Roxon today announced support for Silver Chain Nursing Association to lead the project. The Curtin University of Technology in Bentley, which will host the centre, and WoundsWest will also contribute to the project.

Roxon: Building SA’s Health And Medical Research Institute

13 JUly 2010: The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) will be a 25,000 square metre world-class research institute designed to ensure South Australia plays a leading role in health and medical research into the future. The institute has been made possible because of funding from the Australian Government’s Health and Hospital Fund. Major works are set to commence next week.

Roxon: Next generation of health professionals for South Australia get a new home in Playford North

13 July 2010: More doctors, nurses and allied health professionals are set to be supported in Adelaide’s northern suburbs as part of the Australian Governments health reforms to deliver better health and hospitals for Australians. Health Minister Nicola Roxon and Member for Wakefield Nick Champion announced today $4.6 million support for Adelaide Unicare to purchase land next to the Playford North GP Super Clinic for a new two-storey teaching and training facility.

Fed Govt: A National Health and Hospitals Network for Australia’s Future – Delivering the Reforms

July: This document outlines Government activities over coming months and years, including timelines and major milestones to implement the major health reform agreed by COAG in April 2010. The Government will closely monitor progress against the milestones for these reforms and will provide regular updates on progress through yourhealth.gov.au. To receive regular updates register your interest.

Comment: Don't neglect mental disease

13 July 2010: The federal political landscape may have been transformed during the past couple of weeks, but the calls from Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry for mental health reform to be taken as seriously as physical health have continued unabated, most recently in his National Press Club address last week.

Nehta puts finishing touches to health identifier plan

13 July 2010: NeHTA and the federal Department of Health and Ageing are finalising procurement for businesses to help develop Australia's e-health system. Implementation partners, including IT companies, will be able to participate in the process in a few key areas, National E-health Transition Authority chief Peter Fleming said. "We will be looking for implementation partners in the private sector that will work with us as we go through the journey of implementing the unique healthcare identifier program, then the packages such as discharge referral and then the electronic health record," Mr Fleming said.

Julia Gillard's special health deal for the west

13 July 2010: Julia Gillard will offer Western Australia a special deal to win Liberal Premier Colin Barnett's backing for Kevin Rudd's $50 billion health reform plan. The Prime Minister is offering to free the state from having to sign over a third of its GST revenue.

Refugees' mental health at risk: expert

13 July 2010: Australia is not pulling its weight in accepting refugees, says an academic who points to mounting evidence that immigration detention damages the mental health of asylum seekers. "I don't think we, as a country, are pulling our collective weight," Dr Zachary Steel from the University of NSW's School of Psychiatry told AAP on Monday.

Casey Hospital blunders revealed

13 July 2010: Fresh claims of diagnostic blunders have been levelled at Casey Hospital, with a man suffering a major stroke after being sent home. The new allegations come after the Herald Sun revealed Kate Newton, 16, almost died of suspected meningitis after staff at the Berwick hospital sent her home twice in three days, and a woman was refused treatment for a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.

Surgery backlog in regions: AMA

12 July 2010: The Australian Medical Association says focusing health resources on Perth hospitals has led to a blow-out in the number of patients waiting for surgery in country areas. New Health Department figures show in the 12 months to May elective surgery waiting lists in regional WA grew by 29 per cent.

Diabetes plan can be tweaked: Roxon

12 July 2010: Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the government is prepared to finetune its diabetes treatment proposal to ensure patients are not worse off. She insists the government won't be walking away from the overhaul. Under the $449 million proposal, diabetics will be encouraged to sign up with a "home" GP practice for ongoing care.

Anti vaccine group found misleading

12 July 2010: An anti-vaccination group has been found guilty of providing misleading information on immunisation in Australia and ordered by the Health Care Complaints Commission in NSW to include disclaimers on its website. After investigating a complaint against The Australian Vaccination Network, the HCCC has ruled that the information provided to the public by the AVN "is misleading in that often information is omitted which does not provide the reader with an accurate picture of vaccination issues."

Elliott: More nurses in aged care – Up to 395 Nursing Scholarships

10 July 2010: Applications have opened for up to 395 undergraduate aged care nursing scholarships worth up to $30,000 each as part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to boost training for aged care workers Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot announced today.  The Gillard Government will provide more than $7 million in nursing scholarships that provide financial assistance of up to $5,000 per semester to a maximum of $30,000. More information on the scholarships is available from the Royal College of Nursing Australia on 1800 116 696 or at http://www.rcna.org.au/scholarships/agedcarenursingschols

Snowdon: New peak body to support more Indigenous physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists and optometrists

9 July 2010: The health of Indigenous Australians took another step forward with the launch of a new peak national body to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health professionals and students, the Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, said today. Mr Snowdon said the Australian Government is funding the Indigenous Allied Health Australia Incorporated (IAHA), as part of its $19-million National Indigenous Health Workforce Training Package.

Snowdon: Wake up call on men’s health

9 July 2010: Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon said Australian men have to confront the reality of the health risks that can see them die earlier than their female counterparts. In May, the Australian Government announced the nations’ first male health policy, and an addition $16.7 million in funding to help address male health issues.

Labor MP says boat plan easing concerns

12 July 2010: Health Minister Nicola Roxon denied a return to offshore processing would lead to poorer mental health outcomes for asylum seekers. "We've put in place ... good, strong mental health protections. "(And) we would have to make sure, if we're contracting with another country, that health needs generally, let alone mental health needs, are properly taken care of and that's something that as a government I'm sure we would do."

Drugs cocaine and ecstasy laced with poison in Australia

12 July 2010: Highly dangerous batches of cocaine and ecstasy pills have hit the Australian market, with drug experts and police warning they had been bulked up with pesticides and lethal chemicals.

Obese mums' baby risk

12 July 2010: In what is believed to be a world-first program, a Sydney hospital is helping expectant mothers keep the weight off during pregnancy. Started in March, the St George and Sutherland Weight Intervention Group is designed to help those pregnant women deemed at risk due to their weight. Much like a Weight Watchers class, the women meet each week to have their weight monitored, learn healthy eating habits and support each other in both their pregnancies and their weight.

Related: Pregnant women get into the SSWInG of things

Roxon: Diabetes Week – More funding, better care

11 July 2010: The Gillard Government’s ambitious health and hospital reforms were boosted today with more funding dedicated to researching diabetes, particularly finding a cure. In support of Diabetes Awareness Week, the Government will provide $6.5 million more to continue research into type 1 diabetes at the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre (DVDC).

Push for ban on alcohol advertising

11 July 2010: The WA Cancer Council has joined a federal push for a blanket ban on alcohol advertising at all sporting venues. The National body is calling on the Health Minister Nicola Roxon to consider a phased introduction of bans, similar to the method used for tobacco laws more than 20 years ago.

Energy drinks blamed for drunken violence

11 July 2010: The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is calling for a national discussion on energy drinks, saying they are partly to blame for drunken night time violence. AMA federal vice-president Dr Steven Hambleton says he is concerned about pubs and bars mixing alcohol with highly caffeinated drinks.

Ban energy drinks: health leaders urge caffeine rethink

11 July 2010: The Australian Medical Association said young teenagers were drinking energy drinks on their way to school, affecting class behaviour and concentration, while others were ending up in hospital emergency wards suffering from heart palpitations.

Diabetes research funding boosted

11 July 2010: Funding for diabetes research has been bumped up by the federal government, to boost the chance of finding a cure. Health Minister Nicola Roxon pledged $6.5 million for further research into type 1 diabetes at the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre and $5 million to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for further clinical work.

Govt diabetes scheme won't work: AMA

11 July 2010: Health reforms for people with diabetes will not deliver better care for patients, the Australian Medical Association says. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the government's plan to provide $449.2 million for comprehensive care models for diabetes sufferers through their GPs would provide better co-ordinated care. But a national survey of GPs by the AMA found just four per cent of respondents would definitely participate in the scheme.

GPs disagree with proposed diabetes scheme

11 July 2010: The Australian Medical Association (AMA) says more than 90 per cent of GPs surveyed are opposed to the Federal Government's proposed scheme for diabetes patients.

Parties dodge calls for change to ban on baby sex selection

9 July 2010: The Federal Government and Opposition are refusing to buy into the sex selection debate, despite growing calls for action from fertility doctors and patients.

New QUM kit on pain management available from PSA, Australia

11 July 2010: A Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) kit on pain management for use by accredited and community pharmacists has been developed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Pharmacists can earn up to 22 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points with this QUM kit. The presentations have also been endorsed by the Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) and participating nurses who return completed evaluation forms after the presentations are eligible for 4 Continuing Nurse Education (CNE) points.

Men's Sexual and Relationship Survey: Deakin University

No date: Thank you for your interest in this study on men and relationships! Your participation in this research is greatly appreciated.

The aim of the study is to investigate the differences (particularly psychological and relationship factors) between men who experience sexual problems and those who do not. It is hoped that you will find the questionnaire interesting to complete, and you may even find out something about yourself or your relationship!

Andrology Australia: Men's health – Clinical summary guidelines

A series of Clinical Summary Guides on the management of male sexual and reproductive health have been developed by Andrology Australia to assist health professionals in the management of their male patients.