Clinical Practice

Partnership backs ACT’s first dementia village

HammondCare and the University of Canberra have formalised a research partnership for Canberra’s first dementia care village, with experts hoping…

$180m for Aboriginal health infrastructure

The Federal Government has launched a $180 million infrastructure funding round for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, supporting new health…

Ban on telehealth in VAD should be scrapped

A federal law restricting the use of telehealth in voluntary assisted dying is facing renewed scrutiny after Labor's national conference…

Labor conference backs use of telehealth in VAD

Labor's national conference has voted to support removing federal barriers to telehealth in voluntary assisted dying, backing reforms aimed at…

Nurses gain PBS prescribing powers

Registered nurses will be able to prescribe PBS-subsidised medicines for the first time from October, with the Federal Government and…

Cultural safety key to closing the gap

Improving First Nations health outcomes requires more than addressing social determinants. Experts say culturally safe care is essential to building…

Gov’t responds to First Nations Aged Care report

The Albanese government will appoint a new commissioner to advocate for Indigenous older people as part of a list of…

Could psychedelic therapy have a place in end‑of‑life care?

A survey of nearly 100 palliative care doctors found strong support for further research into psychedelic therapy, with most clinicians…

New leader for First Nations aged care reform

Jodi Cassar has been appointed Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, building on Andrea Kelly’s work across Aboriginal and Torres…

Medication risks rise with aged care transition

A study of more than 167,000 aged‑care residents found prescribing cascades become significantly more common after entering care, often involving…

What does being ‘trauma‑informed’ actually mean?

Trauma‑informed care aims to prevent re‑traumatisation by creating safe, transparent and empowering environments but experts warn the term is now…

AMA calls for urgent aged care overhaul

The Australian Medical Association has warned that older Australians in residential aged care homes are missing out on timely, coordinated…

Federal funding backs dementia research

The Albanese Government has announced $67.7 million in new funding for dementia and healthy‑ageing research, including major grants for prevention…

Staff under‑prepared for end‑of‑life talks

Researchers warn that despite the recognised importance of end‑of‑life communication, practice remains inconsistent across aged‑care roles, highlighting the need for…

Palliative care hospitalisations are rising

AIHW data shows palliative‑care related hospitalisations have risen 46 per cent in a decade, with more Australians receiving specialist services,…

Choir creates community for ageing migrants

In a Fremantle community hall, an Italian choir is helping older migrants living with dementia reconnect with memory, identity and…

Calls for input into dementia guidelines

The first major overhaul of Australia’s dementia guidelines since 2016 is now open for public consultation, with Monash University seeking…

Report reveals aged care VAD failures

A new national report has found that most aged‑care providers are failing to support residents’ access to voluntary assisted dying,…

Cultural competency doesn’t equal better nursing: Study

A study of nurses in New Zealand has found that while awareness and reflection on cultural assumptions improves performance, deeper…

Over 400 older Australians hospitalised daily from falls

As fall related hospitalisations rise, April Falls Month is a reminder that balance training, digital tools and adherence to national…

Ageing well more than just health

A study of older Australians has found that ageing well depends as much on purpose and belonging as on physical…

The Iran war may disrupt access to medicines

While PBS stock‑holding rules provide a buffer against short disruptions, experts warn that prolonged conflict in the Middle East could…

VAD laws working, but barriers persist

A new national report shows voluntary assisted dying laws are working safely and compassionately, but major barriers — including federal…

Why cultural identity matters in aged care

As aged care homes celebrate Cultural Diversity Week, providers say cultural identity is becoming central to quality care, with familiar…

New tools target medication harm in aged care

Researchers have released new microlearning videos and a national high‑risk medication tool to reduce preventable medication-related harm in residential aged…