Every year on World Diabetes Day, we reflect on the challenges, progress and lived experiences of those managing diabetes. This year’s theme, “Diabetes in the Workplace,” shines a light on an often-overlooked truth: managing diabetes doesn’t stop when the shift starts. For many professionals, especially those working in high-pressure environments like healthcare, the workplace can […]
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When a Needle Becomes a Source of Trauma
How negative experiences can lead to lifelong fear — and how compassionate, trauma-informed care can help people rebuild trust in healthcare. Introduction For many people, medical care is meant to heal — but for some, even the smallest procedure can trigger deep fear. A rushed injection, a painful blood draw, or being dismissed when expressing […]
Overcoming Injection Fear: How to Self-Administer Anticoagulant Injections After Surgery
Overcoming Injection Fear: How to Self-Administer Anticoagulant Injections After Surgery Practical steps for patients, carers and clinicians to reduce needle anxiety and improve adherence to post-operative anticoagulant injections such as Clexane or Heparin. Why Anticoagulant Injections Are Prescribed After Surgery After surgery, the risk of developing blood clots increases—especially if mobility is reduced. To prevent […]
Overcoming Injection Fear: How to Confidently Self-Administer Anticoagulant Injections After Surgery
Why Anticoagulant Injections Are Prescribed After Surgery After surgery, the risk of developing blood clots increases—especially if your mobility is reduced.To prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), many patients are prescribed post-operative anticoagulant injections such as Clexane or Heparin. In many cases, patients are discharged from hospital with these […]
NeedleCalm™ in the News: The Nurses Making HealthCare Easier
NeedleCalm in the News: In The Age on 8 March 2025, read more on “The Nurses Making Healthcare Easier”.
The Urgent Need for Improved Needle Procedures
Introduction Recently, our founder had the privilege of speaking at the INSIG End of Year Education Event in Melbourne. This event, hosted by ANMF, provided a valuable platform to share insights and learn from industry experts. One particular talk, delivered by Nurse Practitioner Sonja Elia, resonated deeply with me. She delved into the critical issue […]
Media Release: NeedleCalm™ Founder Honoured with Prestigious Innovation Leadership Award, Renowned Medical Expert joins Executive Team
Sydney. An Australian nurse, who pioneered a new technology to help patients with needle phobia and anxiety, has been awarded the prestigious ‘Innovation Leadership Award’ at the InnovationAus 2024 Awards for Excellence. The founder and CEO of the healthcare technology innovator, NeedleCalm, Ms Lauren Barber, said she was honoured to be recognised as an ‘outstanding […]
Lauren Barber (MACN, CNS), Founder of NeedleCalm, Honoured with 2024 Innovation Leadership Award
We are overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude to reveal that the entrepreneur behind NeedleCalm, Lauren Barber received the Innovation Leadership Award at last weeks InnovationAus 2024 Awards for Excellence event in Sydney. The InnovationAus Awards for Excellence 2024 celebrates Australian entrepreneurs who have successfully transformed concepts and research into innovative solutions that have both commercial […]
Improving Painful Procedures: Kids West Donates NeedleCalm to a local Paediatric Unit
Hospital visits often begin with a dreaded pinprick. For the millions of adults and children who fear needles, this simple procedure can cause significant distress and anxiety. Trypanophobia, or the fear of needles, can lead to avoidance of essential medical care, such as blood draws, vaccinations, and other necessary treatments. The impact of needle phobia […]
Lauren Barber Selected as Finalist for 2024 Innovation Leadership Award
We are thrilled to announce that our founder and CEO, Lauren Barber, has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Innovation Leadership Award. This award, presented by InnovationAus, recognises leaders who have demonstrated significant innovation within their industries. A Testament to Innovative Leadership The Innovation Leadership Award is part of the InnovationAus Awards for […]
Needle Anxiety: Why It Happens and How to Overcome It
Did you know that the fear of needles has more than tripled in the past 30 years? Needle anxiety is characterised by heightened stress and fear when facing medical procedures involving needles. Unlike needle phobia, which involves an intense, often irrational fear, needle anxiety can affect individuals who may not be outright fearful but still […]
There is a better way: 10 Tips for your best Blood Test
This blog explores different aspects of this fear and offers tips for a stress-free blood draw experience. But first , it’s important to reiterate two steps before you book in for that blood test. 1. Education Educating yourself about the process of blood draws can help alleviate some of the fear. Understanding what happens during […]
