Q85 Medical and Other Health Care Services

Key to controlling appetite revealed

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Bridie Smith
The Age – Page: 8 : 14-Jul-14

Scientists at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health in Melbourne and Cambridge University in the UK have established a function of the insulin-like peptide 5 (Insl5) molecule. Found in the human colon, it is now believed to be responsible for letting the brain know when the body needs food. A version of Insl5 has been created in the laboratory, and the research may lead to the development of appetite suppressants that can help those suffering from obesity. It may also aid those who have lost their appetite during treatment for cancer or AIDS. The findings are being published in the "PNAS" journal

CORPORATES
THE FLOREY INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, TAKEDA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY LIMITED

Warning over pop-up clinics

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Cathy O’Leary
The West Australian – Page: 9 : 11-Jul-14

Private provider Screen For Life has been sending letters to Western Australian (WA) consumers, promoting screening for heart disease, aneurysm and stroke risk at its mobile clinics. The four scans cost $A225, and the letter cites Heart Foundation data. However that organisation says it does no endorse the routine screening of people who do not exhibit symptoms. The WA Health Department also notes that the Screen For Life tests are not supported by public health officials anywhere in Australia

CORPORATES
SCREEN FOR LIFE, LIFE LINE SCREENING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NATIONAL HEART FOUNDATION OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL STROKE FOUNDATION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH

Nitschke investigated over death of murder suspect

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Kate Hagan
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 8 : 11-Jul-14

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Medical Board of Australia will launch investigations of voluntary euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke. He had given advice on how to commit rational suicide to a Perth man, who was a suspect in his wife’s death. Nitschke maintains he had no duty to refer the 45-year-old to a psychiatrist, and he does not think that depression was a factor in the man’s decision to end his life. The Australian Medical Students’ Association has withdrawn an invitation to Nitschke to speak at its national congress

CORPORATES
EXIT INTERNATIONAL, MEDICAL BOARD OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN HEALTH PRACTITIONER REGULATION AGENCY, THE AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION LIMITED, BEYOND BLUE LIMITED

Oil Search takes a healthy interest in PNG

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Rowan Callick
The Australian – Page: 21 : 9-Jul-14

Oil Search is involved in the provision of health services in Papua New Guinea. Under the leadership of MD Peter Botten, the Australian group began providing community health programs for its own staff and contractors. This expanded to meet a range of health needs, leading to the establishment of a health foundation. The entity now manages donor funds and co-ordinates delivery of health services. Botten says the program is supported by shareholders and is vital for the company’s social licence to operate

CORPORATES
OIL SEARCH LIMITED – ASX OSH, WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED – ASX WPL, BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

Breathing technique to help avoid radiation

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Kate Hagan
The Age – Page: 2 : 9-Jul-14

Breast cancer patients receiving radiation treatment have an elevated risk of developing heart problems, of up to 2%, if the tumour is on the left. However, Epworth Hospital in Melbourne has had good results with teaching the women breathing techniques, so that they can stay still while the radiation doses are administered. Oncologist Andrew See says a clinical trial with a control group will be conducted to show whether the approach is worth pursuing

CORPORATES
EPWORTH HOSPITAL

Concerns over mentally ill accessing euthanasia sites

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Kate Hagan
The Age – Page: 8 : 8-Jul-14

Formal complaints are set to be lodged by mental depression awareness charities Black Dog Institute and beyondblue against medical doctor Philip Nitschke and the web sites he maintains. He had helped a Perth man, who was a suspect in his wife’s death, access a drug to commit suicide. Nitschke’s stance that he had no obligation to refer the 45-year-old to a general practitioner or psychiatrist has been criticised by the Australian Medical Association and by Victorian voluntary euthanasia advocate Rodney Syme

CORPORATES
EXIT INTERNATIONAL, AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED, BEYOND BLUE LIMITED, BLACK DOG INSTITUTE INCORPORATED

New testing kit will let people diagnose HIV from home

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Kate Hagan
The Sydney Morning Herald – Page: 11 : 8-Jul-14

Australian Health Minister Peter Dutton has pledged to rescind a ban on the sale of home testing kits for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The move is being applauded by the National Association of People with HIV. John Skerritt, national manager of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, says the kit works in a way similar to a pregnancy test, but uses an oral swab. The product has already been widely used in the US. Dutton has also signalled that antiretroviral medicines to combat HIV will become more easily available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, AUSTRALIA. THERAPEUTIC GOODS ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS, ALFRED HOSPITAL

Labor proposes cannabis relief for very ill

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by
The West Australian – Page: 6 : 7-Jul-14

The Australian Labor Party’s state conference in Western Australia (WA) on 6 July 2014 heard from leader Mark McGowan on the medicinal use of cannabis. He pledged to introduce legal reform if elected, which would mean terminally or chronically ill patients can be prescribed tablets or sprays to help them manage pain and other symptoms. While Premier Colin Barnett had in 2009 also backed such use of cannabis, WA Health Minister Kim Hames has now rejected McGowan’s push. The Australian Medical Association in WA believes more research is needed first

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (WESTERN AUSTRALIA), WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Ageing bad news for overweight

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Kate Hagan
The Age – Page: 8 : 7-Jul-14

A new VicHealth report forecasts that by 2025, some 83% of male Australians and 75% of women will be overweight or obese. The document also contains data from a study performed by the Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute, on levels of "self care disability". The research indicates that difficulties in old age with dressing or cleaning oneself will be experienced by 27% of those who had a healthy weight in middle age. For obese people however the ratio increases to 57%

CORPORATES
VICHEALTH, BAKER IDI HEART AND DIABETES INSTITUTE HOLDINGS LIMITED

Pay plea to public patients

roymorgansocial Leave a comment

Original article by Gareth Parker
The West Australian – Page: 3 : 4-Jul-14

Health care spending will account for 28% of the Western Australian (WA) Government’s 2014-15 Budget, compared with 25% in 2009-10. The average cost of treatment in the state’s public hospitals is also 8% above the national figure, and WA Health Minister Kim Hames has foreshadowed two major initiatives to address the issue. Those holding private health insurance cover will be asked by staff to use it rather than rely on public funding. As well, there will be increased reliance on in-home care services, as some 30% of those in hospital do not actually need a bed. The measures are backed by the Australian Medical Association

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (WESTERN AUSTRALIA), WESTERN AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF HEALTH, SILVER CHAIN