The current nursing dispute has its origins in the savage cuts to the health budget initiated by the first Kennett government in 1993-4, writes Tom Keating, a former senior Victorian health manager.
Nurses
Euthanasia and the fine line walked by nurses
When you are about to pick up the phone to call an ambulance for a palliative, ill or dying family member: strongly consider whether you are making the right decision as you may just be prolonging their death, not giving them life, writes a nurse from a Sydney hospital.
Australia hasn’t run out of hospital beds — we’ve run out of nurses
There is no shortage of public hospital beds, says former AMA Chairman Dr Peter Arnold. There are beds aplenty — just in closed wards. And the wards are closed because there is a shortage of nurses.
Remember us? We’re called nurses
Nurses are the people who will be critical to achieving health reform on the ground, since doctors aren’t alone in providing front-line health care, writes mental health nurse Kim Ryan.
Growing sense of despair over payroll admin in NT public hospitals
There is a growing sense of frustration and despair among professional staff within the Northern Territory public hospital system, specifically about the administration of their payroll system, with staff not getting paid.
Blood, sweat and night shifts: the life of an ER nurse
From dealing with dead children, to aggressive gang members and the black humour that nurses have in droves, LA Times offers a fascinating look at a hospital’s ER nurses.
Tired doctors need a complex solution, not simplistic headlines
The debate about long working hours and the vexed issue of extended shifts again has those concerned in a tailspin, writes Professor Drew Dawson.
Infection control experts add to concerns about multidose flu vaccine
The Australian Infection Control Association has warned the Federal Government against proceeding with the planned swine flu vaccination program due to health risk concerns, writes Melissa Sweet.
Home birth wingnuts shouting down major steps forward for midwifery
No one is stopping Australian women who want home births from choosing them, writes Bernard Keane.
Sydney Uni’s nursing faculty at war
Is this the atmosphere in which to train the future frontline Florence Nightingales? Asks Alex Mitchell.
Nurses say that it’s time the AMA got with the times
The Federal Government’s recent appointment of a Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer is long overdue. It’s embarrassing, however, that elements of the medical profession seem to wish to take us — not even back to the future, but forward to the past, writes Professor Mary Chiarella.
Nurses are no politicians: Morgan survey
Politicians are a little more popular, but when it comes to high esteem, nothing beats a nurse.
