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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SUMMER FITNESSHealth

Sporty woman tying shoelace on running shoes before practice. Female athlete preparing for jogging outdoors. Runner getting ready for training. Sport active lifestyle concept. Close-upGeneric, istock

Here’s how to get more out of your daily walk

Walking is great for your heart health, but incorporating interval training and reducing sedentary time can deliver even greater returns with every step.

Penny Timms

THE REAL MENOPAUSEHealth

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - December 19, 2024: Katherine Meliesi experienced adverse symptoms of menopause and retired. Then realised businesses actually needed to be more accommodating so she re-entered the workplace to lead that change.Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

Perimenopause shook Katherine’s confidence. Now she’s taking it to the boardroom

She’s smart and successful, but perimenopause left Katherine Milesi rattled. Then the former Deloitte executive realised corporate Australia was in need of a strategic plan.

Penny Timms

THE REAL MENOPAUSEHealth

woman holding uterus, female reproductive system , woman health, PCOS, gynecologic and cervix cancer concept

Why do we still have no consensus on how to approach menopause?

From HRT to fears about over-medicalisation, navigating menopause and perimenopause can be confusing. In our new health series, we will put your most pressing questions to some of the most respected voices in this field.

Penny Timms

Summer fitnessHealth

A Golden Retriever gets close up and personal with the camera while outdoors walking with his owner in a Los Angeles county park in California on a sunny day. Relaxation exercise and pet fun at its best.

Walk your way to better health

It’s an unassuming exercise, but walking can be great for your health. Here are some tips to get you started.

Penny Timms and James Dowling

reviewHealth

*FILE PIX* NCA NewsWire Photos: Editorial generic stock image relating to pollution, plastic, microplastics and the environment. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Microplastics linked to cancers, infertility

A scientific review of the effect of microplastics has found they cause infertility and are associated with colon cancer.

Natasha Robinson and Penny Timms

GENDER HEALTHHealth

A supporter of the LGBTQ+ community stands outside the US Supreme Court on December 4, 2024 in Washington, DC, during oral argument on whether states can ban certain gender transition medical treatments for young people. The case was brought by three transgender teens, their parents and a doctor who are seeking to ensure health-care access they say is critical. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

UK puberty blocker ban rejected here

Australia remains unlikely to follow the UK’s indefinite ban of puberty blockers for people aged under 18, after the government there formalised emergency measures introduced in March.

Penny Timms

ExclusiveHealth

Brisbane City streetscapes and business signage - BUPA Pictures David Clark Photography

Bupa offers ‘admin payments’ to doctors amid Healthscope fallout

In a move described as ‘unprecedented’, Bupa is offering doctors hundreds of dollars in payments in a major escalation of its dispute with private hospital provider Healthscope

Penny Timms and Natasha Robinson

EXCLUSIVEHealth

6/12/24: Patient - Mr Aaran Creece,Cardiologist - Associate Professor Sean Lal MBBS PhD FRACP and Heart Surgeon - Professor Paul Bannon MBBS PhD FRACS in a laboratory at the Charles Perkins Centre. Clinicians and researchers at the Baird Institute are developing a new therapy for stiff heart failure, which affects millions of Australians. John Feder/The Australian.

Scientists tackling stiff heart syndrome

Stiff Heart Syndrome affects 10 per cent of people aged over 45. Australian scientists are trying to find a fix using a simple supplement.

Penny Timms

ENVIRONMENT ALERTHealth

Woman using an asthma inhaler indoors. Using medication during an asthma attack

Inhaler fears signal shift in asthma care

Australia may soon follow changes made to asthma treatment and management in the UK, where doctors have been advised to stop prescribing blue puffers.

Penny Timms

QUESTIONS ON SURGERYHealth

Surgeons perform an operation in the surgical room at Nambour Selangor hospital.Photo: Nicholas Falconer / Sunshine Coast Daily

Will my surgery be cancelled? What patients need to know in private hospital dispute

A war of words has erupted after the nation’s second-largest hospital operator announced it will terminate contracts with two private health insurers. Here is everything you need to know.

Penny Timms

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/penny-timms/page/9