Why women are spending the first weeks after birth lying flat in bed
The strict cultural practice of bed rest after birth is widespread in western Sydney, but it could put new mothers at risk of venous thromboembolism.
Latest health news
Queensland doctor stood down on misconduct claims
A senior doctor at Brisbane's Prince Charles Hospital has been stood down over allegations of misconduct.
Calls mount for a 'second medical opinion' hotline after baby Caleb's misdiagnosis
Sara's instincts told her something wasn't right with her newborn son, but the nurses brushed off her concerns. Two nights later, baby Caleb went limp.
Political battle over private health insurance rebate heats up
Labor says it is only considering removing the private health insurance rebate - an average 27 per cent discount - from "junk" policies and nothing else.
Every breath you take, every move they make counts for WA paramedics
“Compressing hard, fast and deep, and minimising interruptions ... the ‘Seattle switch’ turns this into something highly choreographed, almost a dance.”
Australia's drug and alcohol problem revealed in new report
ACT records lowest total disease burden for drugs and alcohol but third highest opioid dependence.
'It's a horror story': Carers, family speak out on NDIS regional care
An NDIS provider in regional NSW has been forced to address multiple claims of inadequate care.
Measles infections from Melbourne Airport contact grows
Another baby has been confirmed to have caught measles from passenger who flew to Tullamarine Airport.
Sydney's most vulnerable mothers keep their newborns thanks to program
For months, Kaitlyn was in denial about her pregnancy and using drugs. Then she wanted a termination. Thanks to an unconventional program, that all changed.
Groovin the Moo pill testing trial one step closer to reality
The University of Canberra has given the green light for an Australian-first pill testing trial at next month's Groovin the Moo music festival.
Flu shots mandatory for NSW medical staff in high-risk wards
Doctors and nurses working in "high-risk" hospital wards must get the flu shot before June or else they may get sacked.
Child immunisation rates at record high, but gaps among Sydney's suburbs
Child vaccination rates in NSW have climbed to record levels with more than 93 per cent of one-year-olds and five-year-olds fully immunised.
Calls for better eating disorder treatments in the ACT
Molly Saunders had not eaten in weeks and her body was in shut-down mode.
A life-saving drug for a cruel disease is millions of dollars out of reach
Naomi Taylor and Ben McLennan watch their son William deteriorate every day.
Dion's fight to overcome muscular dystrophy so he can continue helping others
Dion Detterer needs 24-hour care and 24-hour ventilation but says large gaps in the roster and unqualified support workers have left him fearing for his life.
Aspiring doctors begin Macquarie's 'cash grab' $250,000 medical degree
Amid outrage and controversy, Australia's newest medical school has opened its doors, welcoming 50 fresh-faced students.
Aldi and IGA score low in obesity prevention efforts, supermarket report card shows
Aldi and IGA have received extremely low scores in a study that assessed the efforts being made by top supermarkets to help tackle Australia’s obesity crisis.
Canberra toddler left without ambulance as paramedic staffing falls
ACT emergency services have confirmed a two-year-old boy with a head injury was left without an ambulance in November due to a lack of resources.
WA Health wasted millions, risked billions: Langoulant inquiry
"It is astonishing further consideration was not given to preparing a stand-alone business case for a $4.3 billion contract."
Dismay over Sydney Children's Hospital psychiatric ward closure
The Sydney Children’s Hospital has closed its psychiatric ward as the number of children seeking treatment for serious mental illnesses continues to rise.
Hysterectomy fix for endometriosis labelled false hope
For many endometriosis sufferers who undergo a hysterectomy to relieve symptoms, the results are disappointing.
NSW paramedics to place own safety first and avoid unsafe situations
For the first time the Health Minister has made it clear that paramedics have the right to put their own safety first and not enter dangerous situations.
'They rush in, our hearts break': The trauma poisoning our final moments
"It is vile. There are worse things than being dead."
Greater risk of concussion for women, experts warn as codes beckon women to contact sports
Women are at greater risk of concussion than men, head trauma experts warn as the major codes ramp up their focus on women's leagues.
ACT rejects public hospital funding deal at COAG meeting
The ACT has resisted signing up to a new hospital funding agreement.
'Licence to deceive': TGA to approve strange health claims
Bizarre health claims such as "tonifies kidney essence" are set to become TGA and government-approved under new laws, horrifying doctors.
'Concussion is brain damage': Effects linger for decades for NRL players
A new study suggests the significant effects of concussion on the brain can linger for decades after players retire.
Anne refused surgery to treat her 'grinding' knees and came out on top
Doctors are being urged to try to avoid arthroscopic knee surgery for patients with osteoarthritis because it often causes more harm than good.
There's a hospital in Australia where one in six suffer complications
A "veil of secrecy" hangs over the hospitals and clinicians that have the highest complication rates and which hospitals are the safest, according to a new report
Antibiotics in pregnancy linked to baby's increased risk of serious infection
Children whose mothers were prescribed antibiotics during pregnancy are up to a 20 per cent higher risk of being hospitalised for infections, a new study shows.