HEALTHMonitor produced by Media Monitors ACT Pty Ltd distributed by Health Communication Network Limited Issue No. 1004 - Friday, July 16, 1999 PRINT MEDIA SUMMARY THE AUSTRALIAN Kevin Meade p3 Nurses’ New Year pay grab. The decision by the Qld Nurses Union to seek a 500 per cent penalty loading on New Year’s Eve and a 300 per cent loading on New Year’s Day has prompted nursing unions around Australia to lodge similar requests. (HM160700) John Kerin p5 Optional Medicare prescribed. The Federal Government is considering a proposal by the Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research which would expand the concept of mutual obligation to Medicare and other health services. (HM160701) Andrew McGarry p5 Black schooling in need of health check. The SA Aboriginal community of Nunkuwarrin Yunti and the Child and Youth Health service have launched a joint program to monitor the health and well-being of indigenous school children. (HM160702) Steven Schwartz p5 Markets may fit medical bill. Murdoch University Vice-Chancellor Steven Schwartz discusses how Medicare and the public hospital system are struggling to meet patient demand and calls for increased spending on health. (HM160703) p13 When excision is the only hope. Profile of US adolescent Amber Rarnirez, who suffers from the rare neurological disease Rasmussen’s encephalitis syndrome, and who recently had the right side of her brain removed in order to stop the disease’s spread. (HM160704) THE FINANCIAL REVIEW Angus Grigg p71 Gradipore makes a good recovery. Medical instrument developer Gradipore shares rose 40 cents yesterday to close at $3.20 with investors remaining hopeful the company’s development of a product able to separate protein from blood will ensure its profitability. (HM160705) THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Mark Robinson p1 Health hatchet gang must ‘go back to drawing and Judith board’. New South Wales Health Minister Craig Whelan Knowles has ordered an overhaul of budget plans for the public hospital system following an outcry against proposed funding cuts totalling $9.5 million. (HM160706) Mark Metherell p6 Wooldridge firm: no means testing. Federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge yesterday rejected proposals that Medicare access be means tested despite the upcoming State and Territory leaders forum expressing support for the measure. (HM160707) Lawrence Altman p3 New way found to cut AIDS in babies. AIDS researchers have discovered that substituting the drug nevirapine for the standard treatment of AZT during labour significantly reduces the levels of mother-to-child transmission of the HIV virus. (HM160708) THE AGE Victoria Button pA3 Work banks hit more hospitals. Approximately 60 public hospitals across Victoria are labouring under severe work bans imposed by the Australian Health Professionals Association, Health and Community Services Union and the Health Services Union. (HM160709) Jacquelin Magnay pA7 Drug cheats face better tests. The Australian Sports Commission has developed a new and simplified urine test that can detect synthetic testosterone, with the method expected to be available in time for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. (HM160710) Gabrielle Costa pA10 Price of water to remain steady. Vic Finance Minister Roger Hallam said yesterday that water charges would remain capped until 2001 with costs now expected to decline by 4.5 per cent or $171 over the next two fiscal years. (HM160711) Claire Miller pA10 Toxic emission rules delayed. The Federal Government is to delay the implementation of the national pollutant inventory until 2002 following the exorbitant amount of work involved in preparing information on the lists’ contents. (HM160712) Mary-Anne Toy pA10 Terminally ill fear effects of morphine on life span. Palliative Care Vic president Margaret O’Connor said yesterday that some terminally ill patients were refusing morphine in the mistaken belief that it could prematurely end their lives. (HM160713) THE CANBERRA TIMES Liz Armitage p1 Carnell holds key foetal-images vote. ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell is expected to have the deciding vote over whether images of foetuses be included in the Territory’s new abortion information booklet following divisions within the ACT Assembly. (HM160714) p4 Hospital’s new link boost paediatric patient care. Canberra Hospital paediatric unit director Angus McIntosh said yesterday that new telemedicine equipment would improve the quality of care by allowing for increased doctor consultations. (HM150615) p5 Jesuit attacks Rome over gays and the poor. Father Frank Brennan yesterday attacked the Vatican saying its discriminatory attitudes against abortion, euthanasia and homosexuality was causing the Catholic Church to neglect the poor and racially abused. (HM160716) Jane Dargaville p6 People on home support systems urged to check in. ACT residents relying on computerised life support equipment in their homes have been urged to contact the Canberra Hospital as part of a Y2K bug contingency scheme. (HM160717) Lee Glendinning p23 Work-ways helps Canberrans pick up the pieces. Profile of Work-ways, an ACT Government service, which helps people with mental illness find and maintain employment and generally rebuild their lives. (HM160718) THE WEST AUSTRALIAN Wendy Pryer p10 Action urged over teen births. The Public Health Association has criticised the WA Government for failing to address the State’s increasing number of teen pregnancies, saying more funding should be allocated to educational programs. (HM160719) Francesca Hodge p10 Art works in helping palliative care therapy. The Hollywood Hospital palliative care unit is to establish an art therapy program following the success of a 10-month pilot study in helping patients address issues of emotional concern. (HM160720) Francesca Hodge p10 Big hospital keeps mum on mergers. The Sir and Wendy Pryer Charles Gairdner Hospital has refused to comment on media reports that the WA Government is planning to either relocate or close down its orthopaedic and cancer services. (HM160721) John Flint p10 Hospital faces snap strikes. The Miscellaneous Workers Union said yesterday that its staff at Royal Perth Hospital will step up industrial action following renewed breakdowns in wage negotiations with hospital management. (HM160722) Jennifer Grove p13 GP struck off for sex with patient. The WA Medical Board has confirmed that it has deregistered GP Gino John Caravella after finding him guilty of improper conduct over his two-year sexual relationship with a patient. (HM160723) Francesca Hodge p35 Vitamins offer fresh hope in glaucoma care. Oxford University ocular neuro-biology professor Neville Osborne yesterday outlined new research on the eye disease glaucoma involving the use of neuro-protective substances. (HM160724) THE COURIER MAIL Richard p17 Tribunal is innovative. Mental Health Tribunal Chesterman and Justice Richard Chesteman and Courier Mail Tony Koch journalist Tony Koch discuss the merits and shortcomings of the institution with regard to its recent release into medical custody of murderer Claude Gabriel. (HM160725) Jane Fynes- p18 Gently into the dark night. Article discusses the Clinton palliative care received by recently deceased Qld resident Joy Ellemor with this week being National Palliative Care Week. Issues examined include funding of euthanasia services. (HM160726) Mark Oberhardt p11 Couple jailed for nursing home rip-off. The Brisbane District Court yesterday sentenced to jail nursing home operators Malcolm Francis and his wife Kerry Bishop over their fraudulent claiming of $139,000 in Federal Government subsidies. (HM160727) ADELAIDE ADVERTISER Paul Starick p14 Warning on suicide advice. The Medical Board of SA has warned euthanasia advocate Phillip Nitschke that it may revoke his licence to operate in the State if his proposed Adelaide euthanasia clinics are judged to be promoting suicide. (HM160728) Barry Hailstone p23 Maternity unit threat to hospital contract. Moodbury Public Hospital operator Healthscope Ltd is examining ways of exiting its contract with the SA Government and convert the hospital into a low- risk maternity facility. (HM160729) THE HERALD SUN Ruth Lamperd p1 Shame of our homes. The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation report has revealed that of the 33 Victorian nursing homes assessed five have been ranked at posing a serious risk to residents, with three others also criticised. (HM160730) p20 Saline sizes up. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons has claimed that saline breast implants pose no health risks and are a safe alternative to silicone, even when the products begin leaking salt water. (HM160731) Louise Robson p22 Baby shaking a deadly act. Birmingham University paediatric researchers have warned that even mild shaking of babies where no injury or death was intended can result in fatalities, with shaking more harmful than direct strikes to the head. (HM160732) THE DAILY TELEGRAPH p17 Doctors get hearing. The Anti-Discrimination Board has agreed to hear an action brought by the Australian Doctors Trained Overseas Association protesting the group’s exclusion from medical practice in Australia on qualification grounds. (HM160733) David Penberthy p21 New safeguards for retirees. The NSW Government yesterday released new legislation which aims to increase prosecutions of fraudulent retirement village home operators with a new fine of $22,000 and jail terms being introduced. (HM160734) THE HOBART MERCURY Sean Stevenson p1 Angry mums slam Salvos. The Salvation Army’s submission to the Tas Parliamentary inquiry into the past practice of forced adoptions has been slammed by mothers pressured to give up their children as failing to acknowledged the organisation’s role. (HM160735) Eve Lamb p11 Mums reassured on breast milk. The Tas Breastfeeding Support Coalition has told State mothers to continue to naturally feed their children saying a recent World Wide Fund for Nature report casting doubt on the practice was misleading. (HM160736) MAJOR MEDIA RELEASES Clayton Utz Pensioners Will be Hit Hard Over Compo Payments. Consultants Australia Law firm Clayton Utz has criticised a bill before Pty Ltd Parliament which would lead to pensioners losing some or all of their pension entitlements for 12 months if they receive a large compensation payout. (HM160737) ELECTRONIC MEDIA SUMMARY 15/7 2GB 0900 Beazley visits Aboriginal community. Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley discusses his visit to the Port Keats Aboriginal community in NSW after reports that health workers have had to be evacuated from the area due to physical and sexual violence. from residents triggered by alcohol abuse. Beazley also calls for indigenous health standards to be improved through increased collaboration between State and Federal governments. (Dur: 6.00) (HM160738) 15/7 2UE 1230 Public health funding shortfall. Australian Health Care Association director Mark Cormack claims the public health system has been downgraded through minimal funding from Federal and State Governments and calls for national approach to be adopted. Cormack also suggests that rationing services in isolation is only a ‘quick-fix’ solution which will not solve the underlying problem of increasing service demand due to an aging population and increased costs following improvements in technology. (Dur: 15.00) (HM160739) 15/7 6WF 1530 More strikes over pay claims. WA Health Minister John Day and Miscellaneous Workers Union industrial officer Noel Whitehead discuss the industrial action launched yesterday by Royal Perth Hospital orderlies, cleaners and catering staff over an unresolved pay dispute. Whitehead says the union has been trying to negotiate an enterprise bargaining agreement with the Metropolitan Health Service Board for some time. However, Day says the State Government’s offer of a 7 per cent pay rise is reasonable. (Dur: 8.30) (HM160740) OTHER PRINT ARTICLES 16/7 Sydney Morning Days numbered for testosterone cheats p12 Herald 16/7 Sydney Morning Psst... count the bean counters (Letter p16 Herald to the Editor) 16/7 Sydney Morning Irrational drug advice adds to the p16 Herald problem (Letter to the Editor) 16/7 The Age Means-testing for Medicare ruled out pA4 16/7 The Age Just another night of ‘chasing hard’ pA14 (Letter to the Editor) 16/7 The Age The best person for the job: a GP pa14 16/7 Canberra Times Health services in chaos over pay claim p4 16/7 Canberra Times Angels of mercy next to the lake p1w 16/7 Courier Mail Medical response to ADD ((Letter to the p16 Editor) 16/7 Advertiser Patient safety compromised (Letter to the p16 (Adelaide) Editor) 16/7 Advertiser Reprieve for factory chiefs on pollutants p22 (Adelaide) 16/7 Herald Sun Health system stand-off p7 16/7 Herald Sun Operators jailed for claims fraud p10 16/7 Herald Sun Killer strap still in use p11 16/7 Herald Sun Germs worry in homes p11 16/7 Herald Sun Concerns grow about operation p11 16/7 Herald Sun The war on drugs (Letter to the Editor) p17 16/7 Herald Sun Clean up ugly drug scene (Editorial) p18 16/7 Herald Sun A call for blood (Editorial) p18 16/7 Herald Sun 500% pay rate bid p20 16/7 Daily Telegraph Hospitals sending us broke p5 15/7 Newcastle Dancers in step at hospital p18 Herald 15/7 Newcastle Smuggle charges p19 Herald 14/7 Illawarra Fake nurse good at job: magistrate p5 Mercury 14/7 Newcastle Ambulances diverted p3 Herald 14/7 Newcastle Hospital emergency (Editorial) p8 Herald 13/7 Illawarra Nurses doubt new NSW health crisis p4 Mercury 13/7 Canberra Meningococcal disease warning issued p14 Chronicle 13/7 Canberra Raising awareness about diabetes p19 Chronicle 13/7 Examiner State’s diabetes headquarters closed p6 (Launceston) 13/7 NT News Sniffers as young a 3 p4 ____________________________________________________________________________ HealthMonitor is produced by Media Monitors ACT Pty Ltd ACN 008 597 939 - Australia's leading media information service. 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