Healthcare
‘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
Latest
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
Exclusive
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
Exclusive
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
Exclusive
Smoking & vaping
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
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
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 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
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
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
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