Healthcare
Conditions must improve for NSW to recruit 10,000 new workers to hospitals, say unions
Ongoing COVID-19 and other winter virus cases, as well as the state’s looming elective surgery backlog, are continuing to place pressure on hospitals.
- by Mary Ward
Latest
Opinion
Drug reform
Canada’s drug experiment could work here. This is why
The ‘war on drugs’ has not reduced use, harm or the amount of drugs circulating in the community. It’s time to try a different approach.
- by Nicole Lee
Brisbane Airport health hub hoped to patch up stretched system
The state government to combat Queensland’s “tyranny of distance” with a package for regional doctor flights.
- by Cloe Read
Burnout of healthcare workers top priority, says new head of physicians’ college
The newly elected president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians says pandemic-fuelled burnout among healthcare workers is at crisis point.
- by Melissa Cunningham
Opinion
Healthcare
How to save GPs, so they can see your grandkids. And mine.
The family GP had all our records on hand, knew our history and our hopes. That’s how we got better health outcomes. Let’s bring them back.
- by Jenna Price
Sickness ravages childcare sector as it struggles to find staff
Centres say an increase in cases of COVID-19, flu and colds has left them struggling to meet educator-to-children ratios.
- by Madeleine Heffernan
Updated
Flu season
Free flu shots for Victorians as strain affecting kids drives up cases
GPs and pharmacies will offer all Victorians free flu vaccinations after an early start to the flu season has put the health system under pressure.
- by Aisha Dow
Winter childhood virus spreading fast after surviving lockdown
A winter childhood virus is on the rise again after it developed east and west coast variants and hit a summer peak during lockdowns.
- by Mary Ward
Warning over climate threat from laughing gas used during childbirth
A new report says people should be made aware of nitrous oxide’s environmental impact when considering its use as pain relief, but midwives and mothers have warned again “guilting” women.
- by Chloe Booker
Exclusive
Hospitals
New smartphone app to compare emergency department waiting times
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said he was a “big believer in Web 3”, with later stages of the app to allow patients to upload their personal data.
- by Mary Ward
IVF patients eligible for $2000 rebate in new scheme
From October 1, NSW patients at private clinics undergoing IVF and other assisted reproductive treatments can claim $2000 cashback in an Australia-first scheme.
- by Mary Ward