Thursday health scope
Issues surrounding
WA flailing health system took centrefold again with a fourth pair of parents stepping out to criticise WA GPs and
Princess Margaret Hospital over the
death of their toddler. For over seven days Christopher suffered worsening symptoms including a 40degrees temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea but got sent home from PMH and GPs with nothing but anti-biotics and nurofen. Christopher went back and forth between GPs and hospital only to be pronounced dead on his second trip to PMH
WA Health Minister Kim Hames sparked a new twist in the
euthanasia debate by admitting that he had administered painkiller dosage to a terminally ill patient with the knowledge that an early death could result out of the administration. Pro-euthanasia expert,
Dr. Nitschke, said that doctors got around the law by using selective language and that it is a grey area which requires legal surety for doctors, patients and families alike.
Fremantle hospital in WA has closed 15 beds for fear of gastro virus infecting the rest of the hospital
On
anti-smoking law WA championed the toughest preventative measure around the country by banning smoking within 10 metres of playground, in cars with children, between flags at beaches and around alfresco areas.
The
Australian Medical Association has criticised
QLD health for the creation of "Physician Assistant" role, claiming that it is a major waste of resources for a part of the workforce that is going to rise up against the govt eventually over unfair work conditions.
A
IDS association of QLD is following NSW and ACT lead in calling for heroin
injecting rooms in Fortitude Valley and Palm beach.
National Seniors Australia CEO, Michael O'Neill addressed the National Press Club yesterday, calling for significant
tax reforms and
super-style saving plans to equip for increasing aged care need predicted to double by 2050. Wasn't too happy with the sharing of Minister Butler's portfolio which is divided between Aged Care and Mental Health. Calling for
age discrimination issue in the workforce to be taken seriously.
Greens Senator
Rachel Siewert is considering alliance with the coalition in pushing
mental health service reform. Siewert said the Greens are prepared to work with the Coalition in establishing better mental health service, including a national mental health body. Gave confirmation that the Greens won't agree to all mental health funding cut proposed by the Labor Govt.
Approx 10M dosage of
swine flu vaccine are close to their use-by-date. The wastage is predicted to cost taxpayers close to $65M.
Paediatricians are pushing for breast-feeding and for infant-formula to be on prescription as a measure to encourage breast feeding. AMA says that breast-feeding is not a viable option for everyone.
regards,
Estle Iskandar
Labels: Euthanasia in Australia, Injecting room, QLD health, Swine Flu, WA Health
TUE Health Scope
Good Morning,
The morning news painted a bleak picture of our rural health. Health officials are investigating a third death at Geraldton hospital, WA, following two investigations at Northam hospital involving the deaths of 16 yrs old Andrew Allen and infant Lachlan Hughes. WA government is denying system failure.
Meanwhile, Yass hospital in NSW is reporting doctor shortage with rumour of its emergency department facing closure this week. A patient at Queanbeyan hospital claims that the hospital had not had an overnight doctor for the past seven days.
Elsewhere, the start of E-Health implementation by government task force is received with scepticism from the industry & consumer group. AMA is calling for more public education re E-Health to lift potential administrative burden for GPs and medical practitioners. Others are saying that Australia health system is not ready for e-health, calling for "stronger protection" in patient identity. Tender was issued last week for the National Authentication Service for Health NASH, aimed at supporting stronger security for patient information during consultations on the H1 framework. While Health Minister Nicola Roxon confirmed NASH rollout is due to start mid 2012, expected completion is not until 2017 at least. In the meantime the industry has to rely on the original business communications solution, Medicare PKI, which according to AustHealth IT Blogger, David More, has potential for misuse and systemic abuse.
The NSW Housing Minister is yet to make a final decision on increasing public housing rent. Spokesperson told the media that rent price will stay the same while reviewing request from Jenny Macklin to keep the recent pension increase national and viable.
Four West Australians died from swine flu in the last 6 weeks. While most cases were adults identified with pre-disposed risk factors, it was reported that a Perth man in his 50s succumbed fatally to the flu strain without having any prior medical condition. The Health Department was unaware of this and will be investigating.
Perth to conduct late trials for dengue fever vaccine, calling for volunteers.
Victoria is running to build a cryonics plant to store whole human bodies and heads for up to 50 years. http://www.cryonics.org.au
Tintinara Area School in south-east SA is in the middle of investigation into soil contamination, with the possibility of arsenic and asbestos remnants remaining in the school compound. Parents are complaining of the lack of risk-management measures for remaining school occupants and children.
Enjoy the rest of the day!
regards,
Estle Iskandar
Newsdesk Executive
Labels: arsernic, asbestos, Australia Medical Association AMA, cryonics, dengue fever, E-Health, Geraldton, Medicare, Northam, QLD health, South Australia, WA Health
Monday health scope
Good Monday Morning!
Hope you had an enjoyable weekend! A couple of issues bubbling away in the Health cauldron today...
Debate on euthanasia laws are big on the Greens Agenda with ACT Governmentto front the topic during questions time today. Prime Minister Gillard vowed to give her colleagues a chance at conscience vote on the subject. ACT politicians have come out to give their views on the topic, with many criticizing the Fed Govt restriction on territory matters but not directly opposing/supporting the law. ACT Greens Rattenburry says that it is "undemocratic for states and territories to have different rules regarding euthanasia".
WA Community Health Service has defended the practise of using nurses to consult with patients at emergency departments before calling a doctor. A sixteen yrs old boy, Andrew Allan, was sent home from Northam Hospital with kids panadol after showing gastro symptoms. Andrew died in his bed the next morning.
90% of ACT pharmacies have signed up for electronic prescribing. eRX Script Exchange program would allow GPs, medical practitioners & prescribers to share prescription online and a designated retrieval point for patients to pick up their prescriptions.
Qld alcohol and drug expert, Professor Jake Najman, warned of drug trade existing in every single school across the state. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare survey into drug consumption found that of all the Queenslander surveyed, 21.4 % are 15 yrs old or younger and 21.7% are between the ages of 16 - 17 yrs old.
A study into teen pregnancy has found that teenagers are prone to
rapid-repeat pregnancy due to inconsistent use of contraceptives in combination with high level of smoking, drug and alcohol use. The study highlights the need for timely advise on contraception to teenage mothers.
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/193_06_200910/lew11374_fm.html
A brutal Mexican cartel has been smuggling half a tonne of cocaine monthly to supply the demand of Perth drug community.
Health experts have recommended early circumcision for male infants as effective combatant against STD infection such as HIV.
Have a great start to the week!
Labels: Aids Prevention, Euthanasia in Australia, QLD health, WA Health
