NEWS

    Friday, 20 April 2012 (160 reads)

    Recent news reports a cost blowout of $3.5 billion forecasted over the next five years, and a crackdown on nursing home providers abusing the scheme is now expected in next month’s Budget.
     
    Aged Care Minister Mark Butler has revealed an investigation which highlighted concerns of providers showing “unusual claiming patterns” showing an exaggerated number of clients needing high-level assistance under a “tick box” application system.

    Friday, 20 April 2012 (70 reads)

    The Australian aged care sector faces mounting crisis as the change in demographics reveal an ageing population.

    With tremendous pressure from both ends – falling contributions to the national income and the ability to extend life by combating previously fatal diseases and conditions such as cancer, strokes, and heart disease has increased the duration of care for the elderly.

    According to a report by BRW, Stephen Leeder of Sydney University’s Menzies Centre for Health Policy says that Australia is still decades behind Scandinavia and Japan in tackling population ageing and that as dependency rates increase, the ability to put infrastructure and financial planning to cope with a rising national health bill diminishes.

    Friday, 20 April 2012 (327 reads)

    What does this mean for older Australians?
    •    Reduce in pressure for the elderly to sell their homes to pay for care.
    •    Means-testing introduced to ensure there is balance and fairness to those who can afford to pay more and those with lesser means.
    •    $270 million to support those living in dementia – at home or residential care.


    A long-awaited aged care overhaul – The Living Longer Better Plan, will see the light of day as Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces the Government’s reform. 

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    HealthX Poll - We need your opinion! Has the Government got it right this time? Do you think the new strategy will benefit the aged care sector in the long run? YES or NO. Vote here. 

    Friday, 27 January 2012 (165 reads)

    Last week we kicked off our first Industry Partners Seminar for the year at The Queensland Rugby Club in Brisbane. The topic for this seminar was on OHS Harmonisation which attracted a large number of businesses across South East QLD due to the increased liability and larger fines that now come with the new legislation.

    For those of you who weren’t able to be there - visit our website to download our Harmonisation resources and tools to help you get your safety in check with the new laws.

    Friday, 27 January 2012 (133 reads)

    While the ABS data reveals that building approvals are at a low, a few key happenings such as the three month extension to the Queensland Building Boost (a grant for the purchase of newly constructed homes) may assist in boosting Queensland’s figures.

    Friday, 20 January 2012 (177 reads)

    Australians are being urged to eat lamb again this January as Sam Kekovich returns to front Meat & Livestock Australia’s 2012 Australia Day lamb campaign.

    Friday, 13 January 2012 (288 reads)

    Unwavering demand for Registered Nurses will see HealthX continue to support their clients as well as those in the aged care industry who require more hands on deck.

    HealthX provides workforce planning solutions to aged care facilities in rural and regional Australia. In the last two months alone, HealthX has partnered with over 20 new clients in fulfilling their requirements for Registered Nurses, focusing predominantly in regional Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.

    Thursday, 5 January 2012 (221 reads)

    The Australian manufacturing industry grew slightly in December helped by a rise in production and new orders, a survey has found.

    Wednesday, 4 January 2012 (646 reads)

    Looking for work this summer? Check out AWX's 5 Easy Email Etiquette Tips for Job Seekers!

    Friday, 23 December 2011 (196 reads)

    Stay safe during the storm and cyclone season - click here to view a checklist of what you need to do.

    Friday, 23 December 2011 (343 reads)

    If you think that contract or temporary work is a last resort, think again.

    According to a new research by web-based employment screening solutions provider, WorkPro, such work is a positive alternative to permanent work for many Aussies who find the flexibility and variety of work appealing.

    Thursday, 15 December 2011 (191 reads)

    Revamping her government for 2012 earlier this week, Julia Gillard places an emphasis on health, aged care, disability reform and jobs.

    Thursday, 15 December 2011 (234 reads)

    A survey by the Department of Management at Monash University says that the nursing workforce is facing a staff turnover crisis with 15 percent of nurses saying they will leave the profession within a year, and the figure jumped to 38 percent when they were unhappy with their conditions and benefits.

    Thursday, 15 December 2011 (208 reads)

    The outlook continues to be strong in this sector. The number of vacancies remains at very high levels and the models are forecasting employment growth of 3.2% annually by the year ended May 2012.

     

    Thursday, 15 December 2011 (211 reads)

    Driven by the nation’s battle to look after an ageing population, the health sector will make up one in four new jobs in the next five years.

    According to employment projections from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), more than 30,000 jobs are predicted to be created in healthcare and social assistance.

    Thursday, 15 December 2011 (219 reads)

    ALMOST A YEAR ON, originally from the United Kingdom, HealthX nurse, Kim Gonse recounts her life-changing experience while nursing in Theodore during the Great Flood.

    "Honestly, I don’t think I was really that scared. You’re just pumped with adrenaline. I just felt awful for all those people who lost their homes."

    Thursday, 15 December 2011 (227 reads)

    Disasters are part and parcel of life for health services, including aged care.  Planning for a better response to emergencies is a continuing priority in many states that were hit by bushfires, floods or storms.

    Thursday, 15 December 2011 (263 reads)

    Nursing shortages are likely to worsen within five years as more nurses again start deciding to leave the profession.

    Hospitals, aged-care homes and other employers face the challenge of trying to head off the threat by improving their working conditions.

    Thursday, 8 December 2011 (331 reads)

    Thanks to a partnership between short and long term staffing solutions business, AWX and Beyond Billabong, eleven young previously unemployed men will commence work in January.

    Together with Beyond Billabong, AWX’s First People™ program has successfully secured job placements for this group of newly skilled Indigenous All Stars from Brisbane.

    These young Indigenous All Stars have embarked on a rigorous four week course with Beyond Billabong, which is designed to up-skill and prepare individuals for the workforce.

    Thursday, 3 November 2011 (268 reads)

    About 14,000 Queensland Health staff could be set for a 3 per cent annual pay rise, after their union reached an in-principle agreement with the government.

    Health support workers have been engaged in an increasingly bitter battle with the state government over pay, with members of the Australian Workers Union and the Together union engaging in work bans that have affected hospital cleaning and administrative tasks.

    The state government tonight announced it had reached an in-principle agreement with the AWU for a new enterprise bargaining agreement for health workers.
    Wednesday, 2 November 2011 (375 reads)

    Queensland researchers have developed a memory stress test that can be used to predict those at risk of developing dementia.

    Scientists from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) have found that the brain’s response to increasing mental stress can predict a future decline in everyday functioning.

    “This is an exciting find,” Professor Michael Breakspear, coordinator of QIMR’s Mental Health and Complex Disorders program said.

    “Accurate detection of those at risk before they show clinical signs of dementia would allow for early, targeted, preventative interventions.”