Julia Medew

Shane Barnbrook, with wife Sarah, is suing two hospitals for negligent care that left him a quadriplegic.

'I swallowed a chicken bone and became a quadriplegic'

It started as an embarrassing joke. Shane Barnbrook accidentally swallowed a chicken bone while eating dinner and he knew it would have to come out.

Kathy Bell kept most of her hair during 16 rounds of chemotherapy.

The technology taking hair loss out of cancer treatment

Kathy Bell didn't want to see a sick person in the mirror. Nor did she want others to immediately view her as a cancer patient in need of sympathy.

There are good reasons to connect a pacemaker to the internet, but there are risks as well.

Thousands of pacemakers and defibrillators 'at risk of hacking'

Thousands of Australians with pacemakers and defibrillators in their hearts are at risk of cybersecurity breaches that could allow somebody to kill them, doctors say.

Matt Brown cut back his working hours to improve his health.

Heavy workload health warning

Matt Brown was working up to 60 hours a week when he realised something had to change.

Zachary Bryant (right), who was killed in the Bourke Street attack, with his sister Zara.

Two fighting for life, 11 in hospital a week on from Bourke Street rampage

Two of the youngest victims of the Bourke Street rampage were discharged from the Royal Children's Hospital on Friday afternoon, one week on from the deadly attack.

The number of patients using insurance in public hospitals is going up.

Tens of thousands using health insurance in public hospitals

Tens of thousands of Victorian patients are using their health insurance in public hospitals without any guarantee it will get them faster care, a choice of doctor or a private room.

Paul Davies was relieved when an MRI showed his enlarged prostate could be treated with medication.

MRIs reduce the pain of prostate investigations

The thought of being investigated for prostate cancer terrified Paul Davies. About a year ago, Mr Davies was told to see a urologist about a high PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.

A patient is treated in St Vincent's Hospital after the Bourke Street rampage.

Melbourne hospitals caring for dozens, including children and witnesses

Melbourne's key city hospitals were on Friday night caring for dozens of people battered by the car that careered through the CBD, and one had a witness so traumatised by the event they were suffering chest pains.

Health care workers perform worse when facing criticism.

Criticising doctors and nurses 'causes medical errors'

Ever lost your cool in a hospital? New research suggests you would be wise to stay calm.

The scientists used peppermint gum in their study. There's no data on the efficacy of spearmint flavour.

Chewing gum found to beat drugs for easing nausea after surgery

Chewing a piece of gum could be more effective than a common drug for relieving nausea, new research by Melbourne doctors suggests.