Around the world, nurses are in the thick of inconceivable conditions. Their workplaces have become warzones against a mysterious disease that has rampaged nations and ravaged lives. Daily, healthcare workers witness horrific scenes of suffering and death.  So why are ...

Nurses are presently working amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But can a nurse legally refuse to work? Most nurses are employed pursuant to a contract of employment. This is a legally binding arrangement between the employer and nurse. It sets out ...

The global COVID-19 pandemic has widespread and insidious consequences that in many instances go beyond personal health and the ramifications of which may not yet be fully known. For some the impact may be as minor as struggling to buy ...

The royal commission’s interim report, ominously titled Neglect, was released on 31 October. A great early Christmas present for all Australians, chosen especially with the government in mind. In response, Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck, ...

Perhaps the most damaging side effect of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is that instead of dealing with the problems of the aged care system, we have a de facto policy of ‘wait and see’. Actions ...

There is an accelerating need for a skilled mental health workforce in Australia given the growing recognition of mental illness. However, developing an informed, flexible and skilled nursing workforce in hospital, community mental health and non-traditional settings is a challenge. ...

Nurses often find themselves spending inordinate amounts of time on paperwork and data entry instead of doing what they trained to do: help patients. While they would rather spend time with patients doing clinical care, nurses are often held back ...

No-one wants to be a patient in an intensive care unit (ICU). But if you ever do require intensive care, would you or your family like to be better informed about the harms and benefits of intensive treatment? And would ...

The usual connotation of an ‘ace’ is positive. For a card player the ace of spades is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the pack. According to the urban dictionary the term ace describes a person whom you ...

Is the unpaid assistance provided in the main by family caregivers or other close relatives, friends or associates still necessary, or have carers become a problem? Do they require a new specialised management approach to ensure they don’t get in ...