Articles
Death Rate from Asthma has Fallen
The death rate from asthma in Australia has fallen by almost 70 per cent since the 1980s, according to a new report Mortality from asthma and COPD in Australia released  by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). [ + ]
New AIHW Report on Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services
Around 108,000 clients had almost 162,400 treatment episodes from 714 publicly funded alcohol and other drug treatment agencies across Australia in 2012-13, according to a report released  by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). [ + ]
Pharmacists Encouraged to Participate in Survey on Professional Services
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has launched a major survey seeking to gather information to help it position the profession for the delivery of more evidence-based professional services in the future. [ + ]
New Report Shows Numbers at Primary Healthcare Organisations Have Increased
Staff numbers at primary healthcare organisations have increased, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). [ + ]
Consumers Health Forum Says Senate Should Consider Alternatives to Co-Payment
If the Abbott Government wishes to get more bang for the buck out of health spending, there are better options than slapping a $7 co-payment on patients, the Consumers Health Forum says. [ + ]
Menu planning guidelines for Aged Care Homes - Missing in action
Aged Care Accreditation Standards are demanding increasing levels of excellence and facilities are coming under ever increasing scrutiny around the provision of nutrition and hydration. Food Service Managers are struggling with tighter budgets and needing to do more with less. Anne Schneyder asks where are the Nutrition and Menu Planning Standards for aged care facilities? [ + ]
Warwick Anderson to Lead Human Frontier Science Program
[caption id="attachment_8246" align="alignright" width="133"] Professor Warwick Anderson[/caption] Professor Warwick Anderson has announced  he is resigning as CEO of the NHMRC with effect from the end of March 2015 before commencing an appointment as Secretary-General of the Human Frontier Science Program, beginning mid 2015. CEO of the NHMRC since 2006, Professor Anderson has presided over a period of very significant growth in the NHMRC. His new appointment will take him from Canberra to Strasbourg, France, official seat of the European Parliament. [ + ]
Old problems, new partners
With the release of the World Health Organization’s Antimicrobial Resistance Global Report on Surveillance, Cathryn Murphy believes it opens the way to build infection control capacity through novel approaches, including exploring new partnerships with medical industry. [ + ]
VASM Report Shows Overall Improvement in Patient Surgical Care
According to the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM)  sixth annual report, trends relating to clinical risk management show overall improvements in patient surgical care. [ + ]
Improved Collaboration Needed to Successfully Deliver the NDIS
To successfully deliver the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), there needs to be improved collaboration across government and services, according to a  new report by the University of Sydney and the Young People In Nursing Homes National Alliance. [ + ]
National Heart Foundation Calls for a Coordinated Approach to Manage Heart Failure
Too many Australians are suffering and dying from chronic heart failure due to a disjointed national approach to managing the debilitating condition, according to the Heart Foundation. [ + ]
Ethics and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Patients
Discussion of health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia tends to focus on closing the gap in on the social and health disadvantages – the comparatively poor life expectancy and the disproportionately high burden of chronic illness such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. [ + ]
Dr Mukesh Haikerwal Appointed Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Eminent doctor and leader in the medical profession, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, will be the new Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. [ + ]
Call for Evidence Regarding Health Effects of Water Fluoridation
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has called for submissions from the Australian public on evidence regarding the health effects of water fluoridation. [ + ]
Pharmacists Invited to Assist with Review of Competency Standards
The Pharmacy Practitioner Development Committee (PPDC) is commencing a review of the Australian pharmacy profession’s competency standards. [ + ]