In the News

Breathing easier

For long-time respiratory clinician-researcher Professor Steve Stick, the opening of the Wal-yan Warlang-up Respiratory Research Centre in August was the culmination of 30 years’ hard work by a phalanx of doctors determine to see WA become a world leader in respiratory research.

The centre is a partnership between Perth Children's Hospital Foundation (PCHF), Perth Children's Hospital and Telethon Kids Institute, but Prof Stick said because the researchers had already strong networks, Wal-yan would also collaborate with other research centres particularly in Queensland and Victoria, the US and Europe. The efforts of luminaries such as Prof Lou Landau, Prof Peter Le Soeuf, Prof Pat Holt and Prof Kevin Turner saw a cystic fibrosis research hub develop in the 1980s and that legacy has been developed by those who came after such as Prof Peter Sly and, of course, Prof Stick. The work today, which currently is funded only by philanthropy underwritten by the PCHF, is also focusing on asthma research, with breakthrough studies of the airway epithelium showing enormous promise. The centre is involved in COVID-19 studies with Chile for the efficacy of interferon as a treatment.

Above: Asthma sufferer Dartanyon Wilson-Finnis will be one of many to benefit from the Wal-yan Centre. Below: Director of the centre, Professor Steve Stick.

PPE critical

As Victorian reels from and New South Wales braces for outbreaks of coronavirus, the lack of personal protective equipment is becoming critical. Victorian GP Dr Mukesh Haikerwal called on the Health Minister Greg Hunt to release more PPE from the national stockpile to the frontline, especially N95 masks. Dr Haikwerwal said that despite reassurances that Australia had adequate supplies, 40% of GPs were reporting serious difficulties sourcing them and 75% decided to source their own on the market rather than wait for logistical problems to be sorted out. It was a distraction they could do without.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians released a survey of its members, revealing a significant proportion of them in public hospitals were resorting to buying their own PPE with almost half having limited or no access to N95 grade masks and 11% with no access. The survey found: • 20% of respondents in public hospitals have had to source their own PPE • 22% across all settings say they have either limited (19%) or no (3%) access to surgical masks 45% of respondents say they have limited or no access to N95/ P2 masks for their needs, with 11% having no access 61% of respondents reported having had recent workplace training in the use of PPE.

Hit for HealthEngine

The Federal Court has ordered HealthEngine to pay $2.9 million in penalties for engaging in misleading conduct in relation to the sharing of patient personal information to private health insurance brokers and publishing misleading patient reviews and ratings. HealthEngine admitted that between 30 April 2014 and 30 June 2018 it gave nonclinical personal information, such as names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, of more than 135,000 patients to third party brokers without adequately disclosing this to consumers. HealthEngine earned more than $1.8 million from its arrangements in this period. HealthEngine was also ordered to contact affected consumers and provide details of how they can regain control of their personal information. In a statement, the company welcomed the conclusion of legal proceedings and emphasised that personal, not clinical, information was provided when consumers specifically requested a call regarding a health insurance comparison. “We did not make it sufficiently clear on the booking form that a third party, not HealthEngine, would be contacting them regarding the comparison and that we would be passing on consumer details for that to occur. This was an error and HealthEngine apologises for it,” CEO Dr Marcus Tan said.

Northam boost

The final element of the $42 million Northam Health Service redevelopment has been officially opened. The addition includes operating theatres at double the previous capacity, a refurbished recovery suite and a central sterile services department. A dedicated chemotherapy department has also been established, including a waiting room, reception, consulting room with telehealth capability, and large treatment areas equipped with recliner chairs. The health