Supporting CanTeen on National Bandana Day

On 30 October 2020, the Australian Government is urging everyone to wear a bandanna to support young people living with, and recovering from cancer.   Now in its 26th year, CanTeen’s National Bandanna Day raises awareness and supports young people and their families through exceptionally challenging times.   Since it began, CanTeen’s flagship fundraising and…

Nurses and midwives lead healthcare digital transformation

Following the recent release of the national digital health skills and training plan, Australia’s largest healthcare workforce of more than 400,000 nurses and midwives can now assess their digital health knowledge and skills against a new professional development framework.   Developed by nurses and midwives, the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework outlines the…

Victorians enjoy freedom in a COVIDSafe way

Victorians returning to the shops, the pub and cafes tomorrow, are reminded to enjoy their new freedoms in a COVIDSafe way. After the world’s longest lockdown, it will be a significant mental and economic relief for Victorians to return to some form of normal life, as retail and hospitality venues re-open. It is a significant…

Transcript – 2GB interview with Ben Fordham

E&OE… Topics: Victoria COVID situation, vaccine update. BEN FORDHAM: Well, how do you break a city’s heart? Just ask Daniel Andrews. On Friday, the Victorian premier said he was very well placed to make some significant announcements on Sunday. Then yesterday arrived and he gave them nothing. It was a kick in the guts. And…

Transcript – Doorstop – Canberra

E&OE… Topics: Funding for new treatments for cancer and multiple sclerosis; Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions; Progress on a vaccine for COVID-19. GREG HUNT: Good morning everybody, and well done for making it after a glorious Richmond premiership last night, which gives hope to all Australians. I’m actually delighted to be joined by Dr. Anthony Di Dio,…

PLUM and HATS helping to save Indigenous kids hearing

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families are being encouraged to use an Australian Government toolkit to ensure young children are meeting their milestones for hearing and speaking. The Australian Government has made ending avoidable deafness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children a priority, with their rates of hearing loss and ear disease significantly higher…

Transcript – Sunrise interview with Samantha Armytage

E&OE: Topics: Coronavirus vaccine; Victoria; Impact of lockdowns on mental health service. SAMANTHA ARMYTAGE: Now, Oxford University says it will continue its COVID-19 vaccine trial in Brazil following the death of a volunteer. It’s understood the patient had been given a placebo, not the trial vaccine, made by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Now, the trial vaccine…

$13.6 million to support the mental health of new and expectant parents

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the incidence and severity of perinatal depression and anxiety. Since March 2020, the number of new callers to the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) helpline has doubled. 43% of all calls to the PANDA helpline come from Victoria. The Morrison Government is supporting expectant and new parents providing $13.6…