Aged and primary healthcare is under pressure, but what does quality care actually look like in practice? 

This episode, Nurse Practitioner Peter Cirocco joins us to discuss the realities facing aged care clinicians, from growing complexity and medication management to delivering person-centred care in a rapidly changing sector. 

PLUS + We also share a preview of an upcoming episode featuring a powerful first-hand story of missed symptoms, a rare diagnosis, and life on the other side of the healthcare system. 

The latest Nursing Australia News (05:50) Nurse safety concerns, AI hospital risk shift, diphtheria response 

Segment: (08:10) Safe Prescribing 

Healthcare is underpressure, but what does quality care actually look like in practice? 

This episode, Nurse Practitioner Peter Cirocco joins us to discuss the realities facing aged care clinicians, from growing complexity and medication management to delivering person-centred care in a rapidly changing sector. 

Handy Links: 

Australian Medicines Handbook

Australian Medicines Handbook on Linkedin

Check out the FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026 

Discover Heath Cert   

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of youth mental health, antidepressant prescribing, self-harm and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Support is available via on 13 11 14, or call 000 in an emergency.

This month on the podcast:

🩺 The latest Nursing Australia News
Aged care workers score another pay boost, artificial intelligence continues its rapid expansion into healthcare settings, and new workforce pressures place fresh scrutiny on the future of Australian nursing.

🌏 Segment 1: Live from Women Deliver Melbourne
We take you inside — one of the world’s largest gender equity and global health conferences — as leaders, clinicians, advocates and policymakers gather in Melbourne to discuss the future of women’s health, reproductive rights, sex workers, leadership and healthcare equity.

🧠 Segment 2: Teen Mental Health & Antidepressants Under the Microscope
Rates of anxiety, depression and psychological distress among teenagers and young adults continue to rise — alongside increasing antidepressant prescribing in younger Australians. We explore the data, the debate, and the difficult questions facing clinicians, families and young people navigating mental healthcare today.

From global health diplomacy to deeply personal healthcare decisions, this episode examines the pressures shaping the next generation of care.

If this episode raises concerns for you or someone you know, support is available via (13 11 14), (1800 55 1800), or emergency services on 000.

QHUB 

Life changing tools beyond the script webinar  

Minding your Mental Wellbeing Decision Tool    

Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026 

Discover SERCO RTO   

Create Justice 

Scarlett Alliance 

Gender Equity Victoria 

Prof Cath Chamberlain, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health

The Fred Hollows Foundation 

Vision 2020

Guttmacher Institute

Sarah Corrigan, NATSIWA (National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance)

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Ep. 99 Quit Smoking, start an NGO
Welcome to Nursing Australia Episode 99! Today we speak with Quit Centre about vaping and smoking and then we meet Kate Holliday, the founder & CEO of the Centre for Community-Driven Response (CCDR).  

The latest Nursing Australia News (02:05) Vaping cancer, healthcare affordability, measles alert, and Top-end ambulance crisis.

Segment 1: QUIT IT (04:35) Quit smoking campaigns have been running Australia-wide since the 80s. While smoking rates remain a concern, among Australians under 35, vaping has now overtaken smoking. Now, Quit Centre is reaching out to nurses to help join the fight against both. Cora Mayer and Stacey Ridley from Quit Centre say nurses, esp those in GP settings, can make a real difference when it comes to patients kicking the habit for good - even a brief advice conversation is known to be a trigger for prompting a person to make a quit attempt. 

Segment 2: Start an NGO (14:45)  Kate Holliday is an interesting type - she's a nurse-come-CEO of a large non-profit.  As she explains it, if she sees something that’s able to be done better, especially if it helps others, then she can't look the other way... she’s gotta do something about it. This is what led to her starting CCDR and it becoming the successful international NGO it is today. Kate’s idea was to develop more patient-centric research that would see patient experiences included in health policy. The Centre for Community-Driven Response started in 2012 and now has registered offices in Switzerland, the UK, and of course, Australia. 

HANDY LINKS: 

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026  

SERCO DEFENCE RTO 

QUITCENTRE

CCDR - Centre for Community Driven Response 

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Lifestyle health is back in focus. In this March episode of Nursing Australia, we explore two pillars of preventative care, movement and nutrition. 

Nutrition scientist and dietitian Dr Joanna McMillan joins us to break down the science of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), debunk heating myths, and explain how to choose the right olive oil for maximum health benefit. 

Then, Heart Foundation representative Elizabeth Calleja discusses why Australians aren’t meeting physical activity guidelines — and shares practical tools nurses can use to start meaningful exercise conversations with patients. 

Evidence-based, practical and highly relatable — this is lifestyle medicine made simple. 

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:00) Bulk-billing boom, universal respiratory vax, and weight-loss drugs on the rise. 

Segment 1: What is EVOO (06:50) Is olive oil really healthy once it’s heated? And what actually makes extra virgin olive oil different? Nutrition scientist and dietitian Dr Joanna McMillan unpacks the myths, explains the science behind EVOO, and shares practical advice on choosing and using olive oil for maximum cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits. 

Segment 2: Get Moving (29:20) Australians are falling short of recommended physical activity levels — and it’s impacting long-term health outcomes. Elizabeth Calleja from the Heart Foundation joins us to explain why movement matters, how much is enough, and the practical tools available to help nurses confidently support patients in becoming more active. 

HANDY LINKS: 

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026  

DISCOVER SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY (SCU)  

HEART FOUNDATION - WALKING  

EVOO

The Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity (ASPA)  

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide and mental distress. If you feel affected, support is available. You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or reach out to a trusted health professional. 

Welcome to 2026. This episode is all about men’s health, with an emphasis on mental health.  

The latest Nursing Australia News (03:45) Primary care boost, PHC Nurses Day, hospital funding deal 

Segment 1: A Chance for Change (05:43)  

A chance for Change. Thats the name of a grassroots organisation that wants to break apart the stigma that stops so many of us from opening up and talking about how we’re feeling. A change for change was started by a bunch of blokes – a bunch of tradies and a decade later its still going strong. One of the organisation’s directors, Nathan speaks with Leith and I from a personal and organisational perspective, and he shares some alarming stats.  

Segment 2: The Pollie who couldn't talk to a doctor (22:15) 

Dan Repacholi is a member for Hunter in NSW and Special Envoy for Men's Health.  A few years ago, Dan was too embarrassed to speak with anyone - especially a doctor - about his weight. Dan says too many men forgo seeing a doctor out of feeling embarrassed, not knowing how to talk about an issue, or because they're under the impression that they need to be “tough” and just move on. Dan finally did see his dr and since then his health has changed dramtically. For nearly a year, Dan’s been on a mission to make it more normal for men to talk openly about their health to each other, their family members and their doctors. Dan is an MP, former tradie, olympian, father and husband. 

Handy Links: 

Lifeline - 131114

Beyond Blue - 1300224636

A Chance for Change

A Chance for Change - instagram 

A Chance for Change - Facebook

Dan Repacholi - Instagram

Dan Repacholi - Facebook

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026  

DISCOVER SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY (SCU)  

Heart Foundation Walking  

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Hi everyone — have you listened to Nursing Australia’s Summer Series yet?

Suzanne Blackeby joins Matt as his summer co-host, and together they introduce us to the 2025 APNA Award winners.

Episode 3 came out on Monday - Matt kicks things off with a very funny story involving a far too-tight wetsuit and dangling from a helicopter… before he and Suze wonder  whether they might be getting old and a little jaded.

Then we meet Matthew Fox, the 2025 APNA Nurse Graduate of the Year. Matt is a fourth-generation nurse — but he didn’t start his nursing career until after a life-changing event in his twenties. 

In Episode two, Matt and Suze chat summer plans — including Suze’s new slushy machine, which she’s commandeered from her son — and in the outro Matt reveals his very intriguing past on a reality TV show… 

We also meet Bell Davis, winner of the Pursue Excellence Award. Bell is coordinating a groundbreaking new model for ADHD co-management — the first of its kind.

And all the way back in episode one, Matt and Suze unpack the APNA Awards and introduce us to positive disrupter Hayley Hodgson — an advanced practice nurse leading bold primary care models that strengthen care in rural communities.

We hope you enjoy meeting all of our APNA Award winners in this special Summer Series and enjoy a few conversations with Matt and Suze. 

🎓 Proudly brought to you by Southern Cross University (SCU).

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Amazing Nurse Stories | Nursing Australia Summer Series 2026

We’ve saved the best ’til last.
Episode three features Matthew Fox, winner of the 2025 APNA Nurse Graduate Award. After a life-changing event in his late 20s, Matt found his way into nursing.

Five years ago, he couldn’t have imagined this life. 

Today, that’s exactly where he is. Along the way, Matt has tapped into a deep passion for nursing and primary healthcare — quietly pulling him toward what’s next.

Help! The Matts are taking over!!

Suzanne Blackeby is back too! She co-hosts with Matt throughout all the Summer Series eps - yay!! 🎉🏄🏼‍♀️🍸

Register & Discover the APNA Nurse Awards

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Amazing Nurse Stories | Nursing Australia Summer Series 2026

This summer, the Nursing Australia Podcast presents a special three-part Summer Series: Amazing Nurse Stories — profiling some of the most inspiring nurses of 2025 and the real-world impact they’re making across Australian healthcare.

Suzanne Blackeby is back too! She co-hosts with Matt throughout all the Summer Series eps - yay!! 🎉🏄🏼‍♀️🍸

Episode two features Bel Davis, winner of the 2025 APNA Pursue Excellence Award. Bel is an ADHD Co-Management Co-ordinator in Northern NSW. She enables access to ADHD care through GPs in order to reduce long wait times needed to see specialists. The new model is the first of its kind and promises to change the way people with ADHD and neurodivergence can access diagnoses and care.  To find out more about Bel's work, visit hnc.org.au

Hosted by Matthew St Ledger, Suzanne Blackeby, and Leith Alexander, and produced by Leith Alexander and Matthew St Ledger, this bite-sized Summer Series is designed for nurses, health professionals, and anyone interested in primary care, rural health, advanced nursing practice, and healthcare innovation.

🎓 Proudly brought to you by Southern Cross University (SCU).

Short, inspiring, and easy to listen to — Amazing Nurse Stories is your summer soundtrack for nursing leadership and the future of healthcare.

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Amazing Nurse Stories | Nursing Australia Summer Series 2026

This summer, the Nursing Australia Podcast presents a special three-part Summer Series: Amazing Nurse Stories — profiling some of the most inspiring nurses of 2025 and the real-world impact they’re making across Australian healthcare.

Suzanne Blackeby is back too! She co-hosts with Matt throughout the all Summer Series eps - yay!! 🎉🏄🏼‍♀️🍸

Episode one features Haley Hodgson, winner of the 2025 APNA Positive Disruptor Award. An advanced practice nurse and rural health innovator, Haley is leading bold, nurse-led primary care models that improve access, strengthen rural health services, and shows what’s possible when nurses work to their full scope. To find out more about Haley’s work and the community health services she’s part of, visit macleanmedical.com.au 

Hosted by Matthew St Ledger, Suzanne Blackeby, and Leith Alexander, and produced by Leith Alexander and Matthew St Ledger, this bite-sized Summer Series is designed for nurses, health professionals, and anyone interested in primary care, rural health, advanced nursing practice, and healthcare innovation.

🎓 Proudly brought to you by Southern Cross University (SCU).

Short, inspiring, and easy to listen to — Amazing Nurse Stories is your summer soundtrack for nursing leadership and the future of healthcare.

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger   

Welcome to our SEPTIC special. In Part One, THE MOTHER, Mary Steele shares her life-changing encounter with sepsis. In Part Two, THE CLINICIAN, Brett Abbenbroek guides us through the vital knowledge that can help save lives from sepsis.

The latest Nursing Australia News (04:10) Dangerous age bias, Queensland’s workforce crumble, and Florida’s very own fake nurse fiasco. 

Segment 1: THE MOTHER (06:25) 

 Mary Steele tragically lost her young son to organ failure as a result of infection - or so she thought. It wasnt til years later, that a doctor told her the organ failure was actually due to sepsis, and that her son’s death was preventable. Mary shares her story with us. 

Sepsis Australia   @steelemaclaire

Segment 2: THE CLINICIAN (21:40)  

In part 2 of our septic special, Brett Abbenbroek gets into the nitty gritty – the facts, the stats and the steps we can take when faced with sepsis.  

Sepsis Australia

Handy Links: 

DISCOVER SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY (SCU)  

APPLY TO BE PART OF FESTIVAL OF NURSING 2026  

HOST A NURSING STUDENT AT YOUR WORKPLACE  

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger

Click here to get in touch with Nursing Australia (send a text for free from anywhere in the world) #askusanything

Hosted & Produced by: Matthew St Ledger & Leith Alexander 
Produced by: Leith Alexander & Matthew St Ledger