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Healthcare

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‘They were grown men with guns. I was in my PJs’: The crises where police aren’t wanted

‘They were grown men with guns. I was in my PJs’: The crises where police aren’t wanted

Police should be relegated to back-up support for mental health workers or not respond at all to call-outs for severely mentally ill people in crisis, a major state inquiry has concluded.

  • by Kate Aubusson

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Joanna just wanted a simple beauty treatment. But the pain was ‘hell on earth’

Joanna just wanted a simple beauty treatment. But the pain was ‘hell on earth’

After being burnt on her genitals during a traumatic beauty procedure, Joanna has joined medical experts to call for tighter regulations on the laser hair-removal sector.

  • by Henrietta Cook
Adam’s son died in the Hunter Valley bus crash. In a NSW first, he’ll try MDMA to ease his anguish
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Mental health

Adam’s son died in the Hunter Valley bus crash. In a NSW first, he’ll try MDMA to ease his anguish

A clinic will trial psychedelic drugs to treat fear and anxiety in people with PTSD, offering fresh hope for healing. But some say it’s not a miracle cure.

  • by Megan Gorrey
Hayley’s melanoma came back. Then scientists tried something different
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Skin cancer

Hayley’s melanoma came back. Then scientists tried something different

The Sydney teacher is one of dozens of Australians who contributed to a global trial set to transform treatment of melanomas and, potentially, other cancers.

  • by Angus Thomson
E-cigarette use rising in NSW despite vapers saying they want to quit

E-cigarette use rising in NSW despite vapers saying they want to quit

The number of people using vapes in NSW increased last year, but survey data suggests more than half are considering quitting in the next six months.

  • by Mary Ward
New pharmacist prescribing powers see thousands of women bypass their GP

New pharmacist prescribing powers see thousands of women bypass their GP

Women aged between 18 and 65 who present with uncomplicated UTIs can head to the pharmacist instead of the GP, though doctors warn misdiagnoses can be dangerous.

  • by Amber Schultz
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Jessica thought she was ready for her first baby. Instead, she wound up traumatised

Jessica thought she was ready for her first baby. Instead, she wound up traumatised

Thousands of NSW women shared harrowing stories during the inquiry into birth trauma. A new report says some of their experiences were preventable.

  • by Megan Gorrey
Emergency departments are busier than ever. Here’s how your hospital stacks up

Emergency departments are busier than ever. Here’s how your hospital stacks up

Emergency waiting times at two of the state’s biggest hospitals have skyrocketed as the health system buckles under “unprecedented pressure”.

  • by Angus Thomson and Megan Gorrey
‘He was absolutely shocked’: The moment Alisha told her dad he’d passed on mutation linked to female cancers

‘He was absolutely shocked’: The moment Alisha told her dad he’d passed on mutation linked to female cancers

Tens of thousands of Australians are unaware they carry genetic mutations that can cause aggressive cancers and require them to make life-changing – or life-saving – decisions.

  • by Wendy Tuohy
Financial woes cast ‘significant doubt’ over Northern Beaches Hospital

Financial woes cast ‘significant doubt’ over Northern Beaches Hospital

Northern Beaches Hospital owes $280 million to Healthscope, the private hospital operator that tumbled to a $649 million loss in 2023.

  • by Angus Thomson
‘Havoc’ for patients as hundreds of medicines in short supply

‘Havoc’ for patients as hundreds of medicines in short supply

More than 420 medicines are in short supply, including hormone replacement therapies. Medical experts warn the shortages are at best frustrating and at worst dangerous.

  • by Mary Ward and Amber Schultz