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September 2013 News

Employee health the key to workplace wellness
Written by: Jethro Still
27/09/2013 - 4:53pm

Employers believe workers' health is the key to achieving wellness in the workplace, according to the 2013 Global Workplace Health and Wellness Report released by Global Corporate Challenge (GCC).

Health was identified as the number one wellness factor by 69 per cent of the 378 organisations that were surveyed for the report. Secondary factors chosen were increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.

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Encourage your workers to walk on World Heart Day
27/09/2013 - 9:23am

In Australia, heart disease is a leading health problem and cause of death.

According to the Heart Foundation, it kills 59 people all over the country each and every day. That equates to about one person every 24 minutes.

Sunday (September 29) is World Heart Day - a time for people to spare a thought for heart disease and the 1.4 million Australians that are currently affected by the illness.

It's also a great time to get some exercise, says the Heart Foundation.

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Dandenong's mental health services redevelopment
26/09/2013 - 4:52pm

Dandenong's mental health services and facilities have just welcomed 70 new beds, which should make accessing care a whole lot easier for people in the area.

The beds were revealed by Minister for Mental Health, Mary Woolridge, on September 26.

They are just one part of a massive redevelopment project that has been delivered in two stages throughout Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.

In 2011, the first stage of this project was completed and a new 'Adult Acute' facility, complete with 50 new beds, was opened.

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AHHA hosts symposium to discuss Medicare's future
25/09/2013 - 4:39pm

The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) co-hosted a symposium with the Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research in Canberra yesterday (September 24).

The symposium, titled 'Universal Healthcare and its Challenges for the Future', was organised to discuss the future of Medicare.

John Deeble, the architect of Medicare, was in attendance and spoke to delegates about the need to reform the Australia's "universal health system" in order to keep up with the changing requirements of our ever-growing population.

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AIHW reveals health expenditure statistics
Written by: Jethro Still
25/09/2013 - 4:38pm

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has just released a report, titled 'Health Expenditure Australia 2011-12', which reveals that $140.2 billion was spent on health care across the country last year.

This is a slight increase on the previous year, which saw a total health expenditure of $132.6 billion.

Australian health insurance, individuals and non-government sources were responsible for 30.3 per cent of this spending, and the rest was contributed by governments.

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Healesville Hospital to receive $7.8 million upgrade
Written by: Edward Brewer
25/09/2013 - 4:02pm

A new operating table and renal dialysis unit are just two features of an impending expansion planned for Healesville Hospital, according to Health Minister David Davis.

Mr Davis announced that $7.8 million in government funding will be used to provide additional health services to the Healesville community.

The announcement is welcome news to the locals after the 'Save Healesville Hospital Action Group' was formed late last year in response to reductions to maternity and surgical facilities.

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Visa Subclass 457 - Health Insurance Requirements
Written by: Suzanne Still
24/09/2013 - 4:28pm

Visitors to Australia who apply for the 457 visa are required to arrange an adequate level of health insurance in order for their visa to be considered.

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AIHW releases report on older patients and hospitalisation
23/09/2013 - 4:19pm

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) recently published a report about what happens to older patients when they are discharged from hospital.

AIHW is a government initiative that provides facts and figures about health and wellbeing in Australia.

The report, titled 'Movement Between Hospital and Residential Aged Care 2008-09,' reveals that of those patients who are aged 65 years or older, the majority are able to return home following hospital treatment. This is opposed to being discharged to a residential care facility.

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Want to attract and retain employees? Consider business health insurance
Written by: Suzanne Still
19/09/2013 - 4:55pm

It is common knowledge that offering employee benefits programs is a fantastic way not only to attract prospective workers to your business, but also to retain your current staff.

These programs come in all shapes and sizes, but one of the most important offerings you can put on the table is business health insurance.

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Ballarat Health Services redevelopment underway
Written by: Jethro Still
19/09/2013 - 4:54pm

Ballarat Health Services is currently undergoing a major redevelopment, which will see hospital beds and a much-needed helipad being added to the hospital.

Minister for Health David Davis announced on Thursday (September 19) that the redevelopment had just entered a new phase, which will see the third and fourth floors of the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre being "fitted-out".

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