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September 2011 News

Victoria to receive $22.2 million injection into diabetes and cardiovascular disease program
30/09/2011 - 4:24pm

The Victorian state government has announced today (September 30) that it plans to invest $22.2 million over four years into the Life! Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program.

Individuals at high risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes will be provided with the resources necessary to implement a healthier lifestyle strategy as a preventative measure.

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Health insurance provider Medibank Private could help plug deficit
30/09/2011 - 4:24pm

The sale of health insurance provider Medibank Private could offer the federal government a helping hand as it seeks to return Australia to a budget surplus.

Treasurer Wayne Swan announced this morning that the public finances were running a $47.7 billion cash deficit.

He blamed the global financial crisis (GFC), natural disasters such as the Queensland floods and the historically strong dollar, which have made Australian exports less competitive.

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Concern for drug supply in public hospitals
29/09/2011 - 5:31pm

A series of authors from Australia's health sector have submitted an article to The Medical Journal of Australia, addressing the potential shortfall in necessary medication in public hospitals.

Led by doctor Simon Quilty, the team looked at the supply levels of essential medicines and found that distribution channels could severely disrupt the public sector.

Quilty outlines in the report: "Shortages of critical life-saving medicines are an increasing threat to public health."

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Study: workers need to minimise time spent sitting
29/09/2011 - 12:35pm

In news that many employers may find surprising, a study has revealed that people who sit down for more than four hours a day have a greater overall risk of dying.

The 45 and Up Study is conducted by The Sax Institute in partnership with NSW Health and the Heart Foundation.

Findings of the research released today (September 29) may be of interest to employers whose workforce spend the majority of their time sitting at desks.

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Survey: Employees want more secure jobs with benefits
28/09/2011 - 4:54pm

Australian workers want more secure positions and access to benefits, according to the results of a survey by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).

The research shows that 40 per cent of employed Australians are currently working in 'insecure jobs' and struggling with the lack of certainty they pose.

Insecure jobs include casual positions with fluctuating hours and short-term contracts that don't feature entitlements such as business health plans.

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AGL efforts aim to improve employee health and wellbeing
28/09/2011 - 4:52pm

Energy company AGL has released their annual report which sheds some light on its approach towards employee health.

According to an official release: "There has been a reduction in the number of psychological and stress-related injuries compared to previous years after a recent focus on employee wellbeing and mental health."

Other companies can learn from AGL's example by implementing initiatives such as business health plans or lifestyle awareness programs.

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Gen Y looking for employers offering 'quality of life'
28/09/2011 - 4:48pm

A study of Gen Y workers in Western countries have shown that they are actively seeking out and prefer companies with strong values and a concern for their wellbeing.

According to the report by Johnson Controls and Hayworth Europe: "People are most likely attracted to a company where values are clearly communicated."

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SA Health choose to avoid obsolete technology
27/09/2011 - 5:22pm

Royal Adelaide Hospital will not purchase its technology infrastructure until it is closer to its scheduled 2016 launch, with IT News reporting that the South Australian Health Department has made the decision in order to avoid having out-of-date systems by the time it is ready to open.

SA Health project director tells IT News: "We have designed the hospital to be as flexible as possible ... because hospitals take so long to be built.

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Government commissions ten year health strategy
27/09/2011 - 5:20pm

2011 Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon has been selected to chair a review of Australia's medical research efforts.

Following the review, he will recommend a ten-year health and medical research strategy to ensure that the country continues to make developments that can benefit all Australians.

McKeon will lead a panel of esteemed experts, including professors and heads of national health research bodies.

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Nation health watchdog to assess hospital performance
27/09/2011 - 5:18pm

Legislation has passed through the Senate paving the way for the creation of the National Health Performance Authority (NHPA).

The body will be responsible for providing Australians with better information about the performance of public and private hospitals.

People will be able to use the information to weigh up the benefits of taking out private health insurance in order to be treated in well-performing hospitals.

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