The Latest Breaking News from Rob Phair

Wonthaggi Hospital turns to hosting nursing students to retain rural healthcare workers

Workforce shortages have been devastating the health industry, but this hospital is welcoming university nursing students to focus on retaining local healthcare workers.

ABC News · Feb 16, 2023

This rural Victorian was set for a 'debilitating' stroke until a timely telehealth appointment saved him

David Harlem had hardly needed a sick day in his life — until he experienced symptoms that indicated he was in grave danger.

ABC News · Feb 10, 2023

Will Mildura's GP shortage be eased by a newly announced primary care centre?

Experts question whether a new Primary Priority Care Centre announced for Mildura will be enough to ease the current strain on the region's health system.

ABC News · Oct 29, 2022

Doctors call for COVID mask mandates to return in Victoria after Chief Health Officer's advice rejected

The Victorian Rural Doctors Association says "personal responsibility is not an effective public health strategy" and that the state's hospital system is at risk of becoming swamped.

ABC News · Jul 13, 2022

Free flu vaccine program could suffer from limited supply, pharmacist says

A pharmacist warns some Victorians are at risk of missing out on flu shots as demand for vaccines soars across the nation, and the state opposition blames the Andrews government for the "chaos".

ABC News · Jun 7, 2022

Health sector 'completely congested' as emergency wait times blow out

Victorian Ambulance Union secretary says “the smaller country towns are actually the ones that suffer the most".

ABC News · May 11, 2022

Social worker billed $200 for midnight visit to Stawell Regional Health's urgent care centre

A social worker has been billed hundreds of dollars for an after-hours visit to a Victorian town's hospital, sparking outrage from the Rural Doctors Association.

ABC News · May 5, 2022

Investigation underway after man dies waiting for treatment at East Gippsland hospital

The head of Bairnsdale's regional health service says the 72-year-old man, who died following a cardiac arrest he suffered in a bathroom four hours after he was brought to hospital, should have been admitted within 40 minutes.

ABC News · Apr 13, 2022

Rural Doctors Association of Victoria takes aim at federal budget over climate change spend

The Rural Doctors Association of Victoria says the federal budget is failing the health of regional people by not doing enough to combat climate change.

ABC News · Mar 30, 2022