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Dr Jamie Tan and Hope Castillo.

HealthCommentsPremiumConcerning rates of iron deficiency in WA toddlers

Researchers are examining the potential link between low iron levels and conditions such as ADHD after data from 10,000 babies born at Joondalup Hospital has revealed concerning iron deficiencies.

Liam Murphy

Two-year-old Joe Massa died after a series of systematic failures at Northern Beaches Hospital.

The NightlyTragic death of toddler sparks calls for hospital review

‘The heartbreaking reality is that Joe’s death was entirely preventable.’

Demi Huang

WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson and Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens at Albany Health Campus on Thursday.

Hospital UpgradesPremiumWA Labor makes election promise to expand AHC by early 2027

WA’s minister for health has promised the Great Southern’s biggest hospital will have an extra 30 beds by early 2027 if WA Labor is re-elected on March 8.

Georgia Campion

Libby Mettam has accused the State Government of attempting to bury an unfavourable report ahead of the State election.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
HealthPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Labor accused of burying unfavourable patient safety report

WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam has accused the State Government of attempting to bury an unfavourable report ahead of the State election.

Hannah Cross

A push is under way to move Victoria's voluntary euthanasia laws ahead and reduce barriers to access (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

HealthPremiumState euthanasia changes to hinge on conscience vote

Victoria is moving to change its voluntary euthanasia laws after falling behind other states and erecting too many barriers for terminally ill patients.

Callum Godde and Holly Hales

WACHS executive director of the Great Southern Evelyn Quinn with Premier Roger Cook at the AHC in September 2024.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA ELECTION 2025CommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Straining Albany hospital to gain extra 30 beds under Labor

The number of inpatient beds at the Great Southern’s largest hospital will almost double if Labor is re-elected, with the Premier on Thursday promising a new $60 million modular ward.

Melissa Sheil

Authorities have confirmed a highly infectious stomach bug is behind a recent spike in illness reports from people swimming in Moore River.

HealthCommentsREVEALED: Source behind spike in illness at WA swimming spot

People are being urged to avoid swimming and all other direct water contact activities in the river.

Hannah Cross

Genea Fertility says it is responding to a cyber incident after “identifying suspicious activity”.

HealthCommentsOne of Australia’s largest IVF providers hit by cyber attack

One of the country’s largest IVF providers was forced to take its systems offline after it was targeted in a suspected cyber attack. 

Hannah Cross

State health officials say this meales outbreak is Texas' largest in nearly 30 years. (AP PHOTO)

HealthUS states grappling with a measles outbreak

A measles outbreak in Texas has grown to 58 cases and there are also cases next door in New Mexico.

Staff Writers

Liberal candidate Tom Brough was one of six panellists at the Lets Talk Albany community forum.

FULL HOSPITALPremiumBrough voices support for hospital inquiry at politics panel

Liberal candidate Thomas Brough says there is “absolutely a case” to open an inquiry into the service capacity of Albany Health Campus, saying a lack of beds has led to patients waiting in corridors.

Melissa Sheil

PYC Therapeutics chief Rohan Hockings at its facility in Nedlands.

BiotechCommentsPremiumWA biotech PYC Therapeutics rattles tin for $146m

WA biotech PYC Therapeutics is tapping shareholders for up to $146 million to fund the development of its four drug candidates.

Cheyanne Enciso

Erica Rojas Wood was diagnosed as autistic as an adult.

HealthPremiumLate diagnosis brings relief for Perth woman with autism

Finally finding out that she was autistic came as a massive relief for Erica Rojas Wood, allowing her to be more accepting of herself.

Bethany Hiatt

Dr Leech, a former GP of the year for WA, rarely saw girls presenting with autism symptoms when he first started his career nearly a decade ago. 

HealthPremiumDoctors confirm surge in teen girls seeking autism diagnosis

A surge in the number of teenage girls seeking an autism diagnosis has prompted Perth GP Andrew Leech to call for more support to stop them falling through the cracks in their early years.

Bethany Hiatt

Advocates and researchers say funding and more work is needed to tackle Lewy body dementia. (Alan Porritt/AAP PHOTOS)

HealthPremiumRarer dementia a rollercoaster of debilitating ailments

Little is known about a form of dementia that affects more than 100,000 Australians but researchers are looking to build knowledge on the debilitating illness.

Melissa Meehan

Tammie Rees had daughter Ava checked for genetic conditions in a blood spot "heel prick test". (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

HealthPremiumMyriad of issues in testing newborn genes for disease

Newborn screening tests detect more diseases but present a range of legal, financial and privacy issues that researchers need the public's help to work through.

Rachael Ward

Karen Chappel.

opinion
opinion
OpinionCommentsPremium
opinion
Local councils can’t keep picking up the slack on health

Every Australian, no matter where they call home, should have equal access to primary health care services.

Karen Chappel

Listed real estate group HealthCo owns 11 hospitals leased to Healthscope.

HealthCommentsHMC Capital interested in taking over Healthscope hospitals

The owner of 11 Healthscope hospitals says it has been approached by parties — including a consortium led by David Di Pilla — interested in taking over the facilities from US private equity giant Brookfield.

Cheyanne Enciso

Cost-of-living pressures in the US are hurting Cochlear’s services sales.

HealthCommentsFewer US patients upgrade Cochlear devices amid cost crunch

Medtech company Cochlear says sales of services related to its hearing implant have declined as fewer patients, particularly in the US, upgrade their devices due to cost-of-living pressures.

Cheyanne Enciso

Prostate cancer patients with a poor prognosis have benefited from a groundbreaking treatment trial. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

HealthPremiumWorld-first treatment boosts prostate cancer survival

A world-first treatment for prostate cancer has boosted survival rates and quality of life for patients and resulted in fewer side effects.

Rachael Ward

Mental health patients are waiting too long for help, a peak body for Australian psychiatrists says. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

HealthPremiumResignations puts private mental health care in play

Dozens of public health specialist resignations remain in play as data outlines how few have rescinded their threat to quit the system.

Luke Costin

Rural emergency departments in NSW remain under the pump despite more doctors going bush. (Paul Miller/AAP PHOTOS)

HealthPremiumMore doctors go bush, but hospitals still squeezed

Thousands of rural health workers have been retained or recruited through government cash incentives, but pressures on emergency departments continue to bite.

Stephanie Gardiner

Healthscope told staff chief executive Greg Horan would step down.

HealthCommentsHealthscope taps former Qantas exec as new CEO

The nation’s second-biggest private hospital operator, Healthscope, has tapped former Qantas international boss Tino La Spina to take on the top job amid its $1.6 billion debt pain.

Cheyanne Enciso

Libby Mettam during a press conference in Kings Park on Feb 13, 2025.

State PoliticsCommentsPremiumMettam vows to fight Murdoch maternity hospital relocation

While Labor promises to build the replacement for King Eddies near Fiona Stanley Hospital, the Liberals argue there is a need for the maternity facility to be close to Perth Children’s Hospital.

Dylan Caporn

Victorian officials continue to pursue Belle Gibson over unpaid fines. (David Crosling/AAP PHOTOS)

HealthPremiumBogus wellness blogger Gibson still pursued over fines

Fake wellness blogger Belle Gibson is now 383 weeks behind the two-week deadline to pay more than $410,000 in fines.

Holly Hales and Callum Godde