Our Team

Penny TimmsSenior Health Reporter

Penny Timms is a multi-platform health reporter. She has a particular interest in consumer health, future preparedness, and medical science. Penny joins The Australian following a background in public and independent journalism in Sydney, London, the Northern Territory, and Queensland.

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HEALTHCARE CRISISMedical

DAILY TELEGRAPH. Concord Hospital workers went on strike for an hour today to protest a $2600 hike in annual parking costs, which for many negates their hard-won pay rises. 17/01/2024. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

The road to revolution: desperate doctors demand reform

It started as a staff uprising, led by an unassuming intensive-care physician, that grew into a statewide probe and fears of a toxic culture gripping a health system.

Natasha Robinson and Penny Timms

EXCLUSIVEMedical

A Queensland Health website exploring birthing options has sparked concern because it does not include the option of having an onstetrician involved. Picture: iStock

Obstetrician seeks investigation into state birthing website

A government website designed to provide expectant mothers with information about their birthing options has sparked anger and calls for investigation for only including a passing mention of obstetricians.

Penny Timms

COSTS OF SERVICESMedical

DAILY TELEGRAPH. GP doctor shortage case study. RACGP President and Sydney GP Dr Michael Wright at his practice in Woollahra. Tuesday 28/01/2025. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

What general practice doctors say about Labor’s bulk-billing plan

A range of GPs and medical leaders have questioned how many doctors will take up Labor’s plan to encourage full bulk-billing. We ask seven doctors for their views.

Natasha Robinson, Thomas Henry and Penny Timms

Election 2025Medical

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION BUS. DAY 18 15/04/2025 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail In the TAS.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister Katy Gallagher (peach jacket), and LaborÃs candidate for Lyons, Rebecca White (black jacket), visit the Bridgewater Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the electorate of Lyons today, joined by Dr Mark Baldock.Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

This GP’s clinical assessment: not all clinics will offer 100pc bulk billing

The doctor who stood beside the PM on Tuesday to back the idea of increased bulk-billing incentives, says change is desperately needed but concedes clinics will adopt it ‘on a case-by-case basis’.

Penny Timms

OSTEOARTHRITIS INSIGHTSMedical

Osteoarthritis causes severe pain and limited mobility to millions of people globally, but new research is providing important insights into how the disease works. Picture: iStock

Hundreds of new genetic risk factors discovered for osteoarthritis

It’s a debilitating disease affecting millions. Now scientists have uncovered new insights into how osteoarthritis happens, paving the way for better treatments.

Penny Timms

EXCLUSIVEMedical

Queensland Health has provided updated advice to industry about how to remain compliant with the legislation. Picture: iStock.

Updated advice for cosmetic injectables industry causes more confusion

Health authorities are seeking to ‘clarify’ previous information provided to the cosmetic injectables industry that sparked panic and fears hundreds of businesses were operating illegally.

Penny Timms

EXCLUSIVEMedical

Professor Hamish Campbell and Matthew Worrad with the freight cargo drone, part of NACAS' research into autonomous systems and their potential uses. Pic: Supplied/CDU

Flying doctor service without the doctor

It’s sleek, red, and will soon be sailing through the sky with the end goal of delivering faster healthcare across outback Australia.

Penny Timms

PROTEIN EXPLAINEDDiet

Collagen supplements are marketed as being good for your skin and hair. What do the experts say? Picture: iStock

Collagen: gimmick or green light? We ask the experts

With hefty promises of more youthful skin and greater wellbeing, are collagen supplements worth the hype or just clever marketing?

Penny Timms

EXCLUSIVEMedical

The AMA says patient safety is at risk when hospitals are under pressure. Picture: iStock

Critical condition: AMA website clocks hospital emergency wait times across nation

The AMA has launched a website tracking and rating real-time hospital wait times, saying the findings are grim and show patients are languishing as they wait for care

Penny Timms

EXCLUSIVEMedical

The Heart Foundation wants new clinical guidance to consider the intersection of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Picture: Getty Images/The Australian

Ozempic for heart disease? Doctors think it’s worth considering

The Heart Foundation says Australia can no longer overlook the role of obesity in cardiovascular disease and wants to form a national taskforce to improve patient outcomes and consider if GLP-1 drugs could help.

Penny Timms

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/penny-timms/page/3