'Great results': how a locally-developed solution could improve IVF success
Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy".
Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF".
She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades".
"However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective."
The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF".
Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate.
The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry.
Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing.
"We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said.
Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe.
"The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said.
The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system.
"She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said.
As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world".
"Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said.
"We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world."
They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF".
She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field.
"One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said.
She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe.
She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech".
"The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said.
She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results".
However, human research was "still at an early stage".
"We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said.
"We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally."
The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm".
"This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common.
"It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular."
A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate.
Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy".
Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF".
She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades".
"However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective."
The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF".
Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate.
The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry.
Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing.
"We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said.
Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe.
"The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said.
The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system.
"She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said.
As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world".
"Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said.
"We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world."
They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF".
She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field.
"One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said.
She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe.
She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech".
"The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said.
She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results".
However, human research was "still at an early stage".
"We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said.
"We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally."
The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm".
"This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common.
"It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular."
A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate.
Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy".
Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF".
She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades".
"However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective."
The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF".
Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate.
The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry.
Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing.
"We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said.
Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe.
"The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said.
The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system.
"She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said.
As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world".
"Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said.
"We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world."
They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF".
She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field.
"One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said.
She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe.
She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech".
"The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said.
She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results".
However, human research was "still at an early stage".
"We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said.
"We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally."
The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm".
"This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common.
"It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular."
A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate.
Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy".
Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF".
She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades".
"However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective."
The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF".
Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate.
The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry.
Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing.
"We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said.
Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe.
"The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said.
The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system.
"She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said.
As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world".
"Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said.
"We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world."
They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF".
She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field.
"One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said.
She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe.
She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech".
"The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said.
She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results".
However, human research was "still at an early stage".
"We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said.
"We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally."
The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm".
"This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common.
"It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular."
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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
'Great results': how a locally-developed solution could improve IVF success
A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate. Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy". Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF". She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades". "However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective." The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF". Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate. The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry. Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing. "We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said. Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe. "The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said. The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system. "She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said. As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world". "Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said. "We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world." They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF". She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field. "One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said. She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe. She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech". "The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said. She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results". However, human research was "still at an early stage". "We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said. "We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally." The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm". "This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common. "It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular." A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate. Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy". Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF". She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades". "However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective." The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF". Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate. The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry. Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing. "We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said. Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe. "The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said. The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system. "She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said. As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world". "Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said. "We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world." They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF". She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field. "One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said. She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe. She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech". "The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said. She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results". However, human research was "still at an early stage". "We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said. "We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally." The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm". "This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common. "It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular." A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate. Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy". Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF". She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades". "However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective." The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF". Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate. The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry. Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing. "We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said. Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe. "The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said. The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system. "She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said. As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world". "Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said. "We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world." They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF". She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field. "One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said. She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe. She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech". "The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said. She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results". However, human research was "still at an early stage". "We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said. "We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally." The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm". "This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common. "It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular." A method to store sperm for horse reproduction could be used in humans to boost IVF and the declining fertility rate. Hunter Medical Research Institute's Dr Aleona Swegen said about 75 per cent of IVF cycles "fail to result in pregnancy". Dr Swegen said the sperm storage method, developed in Newcastle, which involves a nutrient-rich liquid that enables semen to live for up to a fortnight outside the body and without the need to be frozen, could "significantly improve the success rate of IVF". She said technologies such as IVF and artificial insemination had "advanced significantly over the past decades". "However, only one-third of couples who undergo these cycles have been able to achieve live births. Fertility treatments remain relatively ineffective." The method, named SpermSafe, could improve DNA integrity and "reduce the likelihood of developmental and childhood disease in offspring conceived by IVF". Dr Swegen said this could "reduce the disease burden in the next generation" and ease the consequences of a falling fertility rate. The method was developed over the last decade "in response to equine industry demand", mainly from the harness racing industry. Artificial insemination isn't allowed in Australia's thoroughbred horse racing industry, but it is allowed in harness racing. "We are seeing great results from the equine industry with this new storage medium," Dr Swegen said. Last month, she and co-founder Dr Zamira Gibb launched Newcastle Fertility Solutions, a biotech company that will upscale production of SpermSafe. "The innovation program has hastened our ability to commercialise this product," Dr Swegen said. The Newcastle Herald reported in 2019 that a horse named Tinsel was the first foal to be born using the sperm system. "She is doing well, all grown up and a rather handsome dressage horse," Dr Swegen said. As of now, SpermSafe is "being used around the world". "Hundreds of foals have been bred with it," she said. "We have been working under the University of Newcastle banner and collaborating with other universities, clinicians and breeders around the world." They've been trialling various applications, including "ambient temperature shipping for artificial insemination, thawing cryopreserved sperm and IVF". She said big advances had been made in fertility for livestock and horses, with the Hunter known for its prowess in the field. "One of the benefits of working with the University of Newcastle is the state of the art equipment and expert teams," she said. She was thankful to the university for helping to commercialise SpermSafe. She said the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Program, run at HMRI, was "supporting us to explore applications in human reproductive biotech". "The priority is to see how this technology could benefit people who are seeking IVF treatment," she said. She said SpermSafe was "non-invasive technology that can yield immediate results". However, human research was "still at an early stage". "We have some promising pilot data showing we can dramatically reduce DNA damage and improve motility in human sperm," she said. "We're now looking for partners and funding, particularly in the Hunter and Newcastle region, but also internationally." The SpermSafe technology could work for humans "as a handling and holding medium for sperm". "This could improve sperm parameters in low quality samples, which are quite common. "It may also support at-home sperm testing kits, which are becoming increasingly popular."
The Advertiser
06-08-2025
- The Advertiser
Engineering students launch class action lawsuit against University of Newcastle
IT was billed as the first of its kind in NSW, a new degree created by the University of Newcastle that would provide students with the skills and expertise to address the healthcare problems of the future. But students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree in 2018 and 2019 have launched a class action lawsuit against the university after they say they were "deceived and misled" into studying an unaccredited degree. The students say the revelation meant they had to undertake additional costly study in order to graduate with a recognised accredited degree, which delayed their entry into the workforce. As part of a statement of claim filed with the NSW Supreme Court, the students allege the university engaged in "misleading and deceptive conduct" in promotional materials and on the course website by representing that the degree was accredited with Engineers Australia and qualified a graduate for employment in Australia and overseas without any further qualification. They say it wasn't until July, 2019, after some students had been studying for more than a year, that they discovered the degree lacked professional accreditation, prompting students to either switch courses or begin a combined degree. In its defence, the University of Newcastle does not deny the degree was not accredited between 2017 and 2019 (the degree only obtained provisional accreditation in 2023, which was backdated to 2020). But they dispute that any student suffered loss or damages as a result and say professional accreditation is not required for graduates to be eligible to practise as an engineer. The university denies keeping the accreditation status from students and claims that from about April, 2018, it had published that the degree was "seeking provisional accreditation through Engineers Australia". The class action members, led by Andreas Sklavos, are seeking compensation, damages and a declaration that the university engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and breached Australian Consumer Law. The revelation that the degree was not accredited came as a shock, they say, and the news was followed by a great deal of stress. "There was a feeling of uncertainty and confusion of how to proceed, how it would my affect my future career prospects and further a sense of frustration of potentially wasting years of time studying a degree with minimal value and the associated costs," Mr Sklavos told the Newcastle Herald. They say they lost income by not being able to immediately secure employment after completing the initial four-year degree and claim the accreditation issue, questions about their future employment and a failure from the university to offer any "financial or emotional support" caused them to suffer "disappointment, distress, inconvenience and anxiety". The class action was mentioned in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday when Justice Peter Garling ordered the proceedings be referred for mediation. Mr Sklavos was part of the first intake that studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) in 2018, but says he was blindsided in 2019 when the university revealed the degree did not have professional accreditation. "The degree was first advertised in 2017 for a semester 1 start in 2018 and at that point all evidence showed that the degree was accredited and recognised by both Engineers Australia and the Washington Accord, which are the two key bodies for both national and international course recognition to gain employment," Mr Sklavos said. "Someone mentioned having looked up the credentials of the degree and there was no evidence that the university had obtained accreditation. "They approached the university and the university disclosed it to everyone else. "That was when we had the conversations that the degree was not accredited and they were actually in the process of getting accreditation." He said he then began studying a combined degree with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering so that he could be ensured accreditation, but that turned a four-year degree into five years and meant he incurred an additional $8000 in HECS. Mr Sklavos said had he known the degree did not have accreditation he would never have enrolled and would have instead studied an accredited engineering degree either at UON or elsewhere and obtained employment sooner. In response to the university's claim that professional accreditation was not a requirement to practice as an engineer, Mr Sklavos said graduates entering the workforce with an unaccredited degree would likely struggle to find employment in the field of medical engineering competing against those with accredited degrees. Class actions involving disputes over university course accreditation remain extremely rare in Australia. But Mr Sklavos, who has since started working as a mechanical engineer, says he was encouraged to pursue a civil case against the university after hearing about a group of students from James Cook University who launched a class action lawsuit after discovering their Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Advising) degree was not accredited. In that case, the course has since been accredited and the university also offered affected students the opportunity to obtain further qualifications at its expense. It's believed there are more than 100 students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree during those first two years when it still remains unaccredited, but at the time the statement of claim was filed in February, only seven students had joined the class action. In a statement, the University of Newcastle acknowledged the proceedings and declined to comment. "As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate for the university to comment in detail," the statement said. "However, the university has filed a defence and intends to respond to the claims through the proper legal channels." IT was billed as the first of its kind in NSW, a new degree created by the University of Newcastle that would provide students with the skills and expertise to address the healthcare problems of the future. But students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree in 2018 and 2019 have launched a class action lawsuit against the university after they say they were "deceived and misled" into studying an unaccredited degree. The students say the revelation meant they had to undertake additional costly study in order to graduate with a recognised accredited degree, which delayed their entry into the workforce. As part of a statement of claim filed with the NSW Supreme Court, the students allege the university engaged in "misleading and deceptive conduct" in promotional materials and on the course website by representing that the degree was accredited with Engineers Australia and qualified a graduate for employment in Australia and overseas without any further qualification. They say it wasn't until July, 2019, after some students had been studying for more than a year, that they discovered the degree lacked professional accreditation, prompting students to either switch courses or begin a combined degree. In its defence, the University of Newcastle does not deny the degree was not accredited between 2017 and 2019 (the degree only obtained provisional accreditation in 2023, which was backdated to 2020). But they dispute that any student suffered loss or damages as a result and say professional accreditation is not required for graduates to be eligible to practise as an engineer. The university denies keeping the accreditation status from students and claims that from about April, 2018, it had published that the degree was "seeking provisional accreditation through Engineers Australia". The class action members, led by Andreas Sklavos, are seeking compensation, damages and a declaration that the university engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and breached Australian Consumer Law. The revelation that the degree was not accredited came as a shock, they say, and the news was followed by a great deal of stress. "There was a feeling of uncertainty and confusion of how to proceed, how it would my affect my future career prospects and further a sense of frustration of potentially wasting years of time studying a degree with minimal value and the associated costs," Mr Sklavos told the Newcastle Herald. They say they lost income by not being able to immediately secure employment after completing the initial four-year degree and claim the accreditation issue, questions about their future employment and a failure from the university to offer any "financial or emotional support" caused them to suffer "disappointment, distress, inconvenience and anxiety". The class action was mentioned in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday when Justice Peter Garling ordered the proceedings be referred for mediation. Mr Sklavos was part of the first intake that studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) in 2018, but says he was blindsided in 2019 when the university revealed the degree did not have professional accreditation. "The degree was first advertised in 2017 for a semester 1 start in 2018 and at that point all evidence showed that the degree was accredited and recognised by both Engineers Australia and the Washington Accord, which are the two key bodies for both national and international course recognition to gain employment," Mr Sklavos said. "Someone mentioned having looked up the credentials of the degree and there was no evidence that the university had obtained accreditation. "They approached the university and the university disclosed it to everyone else. "That was when we had the conversations that the degree was not accredited and they were actually in the process of getting accreditation." He said he then began studying a combined degree with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering so that he could be ensured accreditation, but that turned a four-year degree into five years and meant he incurred an additional $8000 in HECS. Mr Sklavos said had he known the degree did not have accreditation he would never have enrolled and would have instead studied an accredited engineering degree either at UON or elsewhere and obtained employment sooner. In response to the university's claim that professional accreditation was not a requirement to practice as an engineer, Mr Sklavos said graduates entering the workforce with an unaccredited degree would likely struggle to find employment in the field of medical engineering competing against those with accredited degrees. Class actions involving disputes over university course accreditation remain extremely rare in Australia. But Mr Sklavos, who has since started working as a mechanical engineer, says he was encouraged to pursue a civil case against the university after hearing about a group of students from James Cook University who launched a class action lawsuit after discovering their Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Advising) degree was not accredited. In that case, the course has since been accredited and the university also offered affected students the opportunity to obtain further qualifications at its expense. It's believed there are more than 100 students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree during those first two years when it still remains unaccredited, but at the time the statement of claim was filed in February, only seven students had joined the class action. In a statement, the University of Newcastle acknowledged the proceedings and declined to comment. "As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate for the university to comment in detail," the statement said. "However, the university has filed a defence and intends to respond to the claims through the proper legal channels." IT was billed as the first of its kind in NSW, a new degree created by the University of Newcastle that would provide students with the skills and expertise to address the healthcare problems of the future. But students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree in 2018 and 2019 have launched a class action lawsuit against the university after they say they were "deceived and misled" into studying an unaccredited degree. The students say the revelation meant they had to undertake additional costly study in order to graduate with a recognised accredited degree, which delayed their entry into the workforce. As part of a statement of claim filed with the NSW Supreme Court, the students allege the university engaged in "misleading and deceptive conduct" in promotional materials and on the course website by representing that the degree was accredited with Engineers Australia and qualified a graduate for employment in Australia and overseas without any further qualification. They say it wasn't until July, 2019, after some students had been studying for more than a year, that they discovered the degree lacked professional accreditation, prompting students to either switch courses or begin a combined degree. In its defence, the University of Newcastle does not deny the degree was not accredited between 2017 and 2019 (the degree only obtained provisional accreditation in 2023, which was backdated to 2020). But they dispute that any student suffered loss or damages as a result and say professional accreditation is not required for graduates to be eligible to practise as an engineer. The university denies keeping the accreditation status from students and claims that from about April, 2018, it had published that the degree was "seeking provisional accreditation through Engineers Australia". The class action members, led by Andreas Sklavos, are seeking compensation, damages and a declaration that the university engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and breached Australian Consumer Law. The revelation that the degree was not accredited came as a shock, they say, and the news was followed by a great deal of stress. "There was a feeling of uncertainty and confusion of how to proceed, how it would my affect my future career prospects and further a sense of frustration of potentially wasting years of time studying a degree with minimal value and the associated costs," Mr Sklavos told the Newcastle Herald. They say they lost income by not being able to immediately secure employment after completing the initial four-year degree and claim the accreditation issue, questions about their future employment and a failure from the university to offer any "financial or emotional support" caused them to suffer "disappointment, distress, inconvenience and anxiety". The class action was mentioned in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday when Justice Peter Garling ordered the proceedings be referred for mediation. Mr Sklavos was part of the first intake that studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) in 2018, but says he was blindsided in 2019 when the university revealed the degree did not have professional accreditation. "The degree was first advertised in 2017 for a semester 1 start in 2018 and at that point all evidence showed that the degree was accredited and recognised by both Engineers Australia and the Washington Accord, which are the two key bodies for both national and international course recognition to gain employment," Mr Sklavos said. "Someone mentioned having looked up the credentials of the degree and there was no evidence that the university had obtained accreditation. "They approached the university and the university disclosed it to everyone else. "That was when we had the conversations that the degree was not accredited and they were actually in the process of getting accreditation." He said he then began studying a combined degree with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering so that he could be ensured accreditation, but that turned a four-year degree into five years and meant he incurred an additional $8000 in HECS. Mr Sklavos said had he known the degree did not have accreditation he would never have enrolled and would have instead studied an accredited engineering degree either at UON or elsewhere and obtained employment sooner. In response to the university's claim that professional accreditation was not a requirement to practice as an engineer, Mr Sklavos said graduates entering the workforce with an unaccredited degree would likely struggle to find employment in the field of medical engineering competing against those with accredited degrees. Class actions involving disputes over university course accreditation remain extremely rare in Australia. But Mr Sklavos, who has since started working as a mechanical engineer, says he was encouraged to pursue a civil case against the university after hearing about a group of students from James Cook University who launched a class action lawsuit after discovering their Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Advising) degree was not accredited. In that case, the course has since been accredited and the university also offered affected students the opportunity to obtain further qualifications at its expense. It's believed there are more than 100 students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree during those first two years when it still remains unaccredited, but at the time the statement of claim was filed in February, only seven students had joined the class action. In a statement, the University of Newcastle acknowledged the proceedings and declined to comment. "As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate for the university to comment in detail," the statement said. "However, the university has filed a defence and intends to respond to the claims through the proper legal channels." IT was billed as the first of its kind in NSW, a new degree created by the University of Newcastle that would provide students with the skills and expertise to address the healthcare problems of the future. But students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree in 2018 and 2019 have launched a class action lawsuit against the university after they say they were "deceived and misled" into studying an unaccredited degree. The students say the revelation meant they had to undertake additional costly study in order to graduate with a recognised accredited degree, which delayed their entry into the workforce. As part of a statement of claim filed with the NSW Supreme Court, the students allege the university engaged in "misleading and deceptive conduct" in promotional materials and on the course website by representing that the degree was accredited with Engineers Australia and qualified a graduate for employment in Australia and overseas without any further qualification. They say it wasn't until July, 2019, after some students had been studying for more than a year, that they discovered the degree lacked professional accreditation, prompting students to either switch courses or begin a combined degree. In its defence, the University of Newcastle does not deny the degree was not accredited between 2017 and 2019 (the degree only obtained provisional accreditation in 2023, which was backdated to 2020). But they dispute that any student suffered loss or damages as a result and say professional accreditation is not required for graduates to be eligible to practise as an engineer. The university denies keeping the accreditation status from students and claims that from about April, 2018, it had published that the degree was "seeking provisional accreditation through Engineers Australia". The class action members, led by Andreas Sklavos, are seeking compensation, damages and a declaration that the university engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and breached Australian Consumer Law. The revelation that the degree was not accredited came as a shock, they say, and the news was followed by a great deal of stress. "There was a feeling of uncertainty and confusion of how to proceed, how it would my affect my future career prospects and further a sense of frustration of potentially wasting years of time studying a degree with minimal value and the associated costs," Mr Sklavos told the Newcastle Herald. They say they lost income by not being able to immediately secure employment after completing the initial four-year degree and claim the accreditation issue, questions about their future employment and a failure from the university to offer any "financial or emotional support" caused them to suffer "disappointment, distress, inconvenience and anxiety". The class action was mentioned in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday when Justice Peter Garling ordered the proceedings be referred for mediation. Mr Sklavos was part of the first intake that studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) in 2018, but says he was blindsided in 2019 when the university revealed the degree did not have professional accreditation. "The degree was first advertised in 2017 for a semester 1 start in 2018 and at that point all evidence showed that the degree was accredited and recognised by both Engineers Australia and the Washington Accord, which are the two key bodies for both national and international course recognition to gain employment," Mr Sklavos said. "Someone mentioned having looked up the credentials of the degree and there was no evidence that the university had obtained accreditation. "They approached the university and the university disclosed it to everyone else. "That was when we had the conversations that the degree was not accredited and they were actually in the process of getting accreditation." He said he then began studying a combined degree with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering so that he could be ensured accreditation, but that turned a four-year degree into five years and meant he incurred an additional $8000 in HECS. Mr Sklavos said had he known the degree did not have accreditation he would never have enrolled and would have instead studied an accredited engineering degree either at UON or elsewhere and obtained employment sooner. In response to the university's claim that professional accreditation was not a requirement to practice as an engineer, Mr Sklavos said graduates entering the workforce with an unaccredited degree would likely struggle to find employment in the field of medical engineering competing against those with accredited degrees. Class actions involving disputes over university course accreditation remain extremely rare in Australia. But Mr Sklavos, who has since started working as a mechanical engineer, says he was encouraged to pursue a civil case against the university after hearing about a group of students from James Cook University who launched a class action lawsuit after discovering their Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Advising) degree was not accredited. In that case, the course has since been accredited and the university also offered affected students the opportunity to obtain further qualifications at its expense. It's believed there are more than 100 students who studied the Bachelor of Medical Engineering (Honours) degree during those first two years when it still remains unaccredited, but at the time the statement of claim was filed in February, only seven students had joined the class action. In a statement, the University of Newcastle acknowledged the proceedings and declined to comment. "As the matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate for the university to comment in detail," the statement said. "However, the university has filed a defence and intends to respond to the claims through the proper legal channels."
The Advertiser
12-07-2025
- The Advertiser
'It's like I'm dying': Since getting COVID seven months ago, Jody can't sleep
Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions."
