Community work together to roll out Food Systems Roadmap
Following the adoption of the Central Goldfields Food Systems Roadmap in September, the Central Goldfields Food Network will reconvene to lead its implementation.
New program to ease pressure on GPs
Joanna Tucker. The South Australian Government has announced a significant expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice, aiming to alleviate pressure on GPs and hospital emergency departments by allowing pharmacists to manage a wider range of health conditions. Under the new program, South Australians will be able to visit local pharmacies for common ailments ... in addition to already available services like medication for urinary tract infections and oral contraceptive pill resupply.
Nhill and Kaniva paramedics and ACOs honoured at awards
Local paramedics and ACOs from the Nhill and Kaniva branches were recently recognised for their dedication and service at the Grampians Staff Service Awards ... The awards celebrated the outstanding contributions of paramedics, acknowledging their long service and commitment to safe driving.
Sea the growth of algae industry with plans to grow ten times its size
Among the canefields of Woodburn, a new, nutritious industry is blooming. The Sea02 Nanno Agriculture is a biotechnology company that is growing algae.
If in doubt, get tested!
The Tarrangower Times caught up with Maldon Fire Brigade Captain Sean McCubbin last week, with the intention of talking about his recent cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment. In the end, the interview ranged far and wide. Sean speaks his mind, is passionate about many issues, knows Maldon like the back of his hand and has a bunch of entertaining stories.
Murrindindi Shire Council letter to Mary-Anne Thomas MP regarding the withdrawal of patient transport services
Council wrote to Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure and Ambulance Services, seeking urgent clarification regarding community concerns about the withdrawal of transport services for patients requiring dialysis, cancer treatment and other critical care. This follows feedback that transport to Seymour, for dialysis treatment – a lifeline for patients-, is being discontinued as of 30 September 2024.
From Naracoorte, with love
It’s an unusual story—one we hardly get to hear or read about in Naracoorte. It’s a story of our small community and our people coming together to help raise funds to alleviate the sufferings of women and children in a community and country not part of Australia—Mengaumenau, PNG. Imagine finding yourself in a place where there is no one at all to help you deliver your baby.
SA’s first country trained doctors to boost rural medical services
In a state first, medical students can now undertake their entire training in rural South Australia, in a bold new initiative by Flinders University to tackle the critical shortage of doctors in rural and regional areas. Starting in 2025, the South Australia Rural Medical (SARM) Program is the first degree of its kind in South Australia, offering medical students the opportunity to study Flinders’ renowned medical program outside the metropolitan area.
Radiotherapy group lodges complaint
A complaint has been lodged against the Adelaide-based chairman of Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN), Dr Andrew Saies, over his alleged conduct towards SE cancer patients. Among claims against Dr Saies are allegations he comes from a position of privilege by suggesting financial issues confronting SE cancer patients travelling to Adelaide and unable to work for many weeks or months could easily be nullified if they took out income insurance.
New youth mental health service
Serena Kirby. An increase in children experiencing mental health crises and presenting at the region’s emergency departments has led to a new crisis response service. Run by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, the acute care response team will be based in Albany but will cover Denmark and the Great Southern.
Labor refuses Norco hospital supply reinstatement
The Minns NSW Labor Government slammed the door on Norco being reinstated as a supplier to NSW Health on the North and Mid-North Coast in parliament last week, despite a previous NSW government decision to dump the 100 per cent farmer owned co-operative being reversed. When the issue was raised in parliament last Wednesday night, a public interest debate erupted where a motion was put forward by the NSW Nationals calling on the Minns Government to reverse its decision.
A day in the life of … Dr Lisa Clarke, The Roving Vet
The life of a country veterinarian is not an easy one and for Dr Lisa Clarke, the days can be long and the work can be dangerous. Lisa and her mobile vet service,The Roving Vet, can also clock up nearly 1000 km every week as zig zags across WA’s Great Southern from Albany to Walpole. And, with so much time spent in her vehicle, it’s a good thing Lisa has Plum, her “trusty secretary” with her wherever she goes.
NSW Government: “Significant progress made in improving health outcomes”
Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park says progress is being made to improve healthcare in the bush. The NSW Government says it is demonstrating its commitment to improving healthcare in rural and regional communities by recruiting and retaining more health workers, offering greater financial assistance for patients, and providing support to sustain the primary care sector.
Rapid increase of salt marsh mosquitoes in the Top End: NT Health
NT Health is urging Top End residents and visitors to protect themselves from the salt marsh mosquitos as numbers are expected to increase, following heavy rainfall and high tides. Elevated salt marsh mosquitoes numbers can be expected between now and January. Salt marsh mosquitos are aggressive biters that can transmit mosquito-borne diseases such as the Ross River virus and the Barmah Forest disease.
Wave of whooping cough
Health experts are reminding pregnant women and infants to get vaccinated against whooping cough. The reminder follows a wave of the infectious disease, seeing case numbers climb to their highest in the last six years across the state. According to the Department of Health and Wellbeing, South Australia recorded 492 cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, so far this year—more than 10 times the number of cases reported at the same time last year.
The Flying Doctor’s Mount Isa team celebrate 60 years of life-saving services
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) is this month celebrating 60-years of service from its Mount Isa base. Established in 1964, the Mount Isa Base covers a waiting room of more than 800,000 square kilometres, connecting the residents of this significant north-west Queensland region to leading, and often lifesaving, health services ... ARR.News found out more from RFDS Mount Isa Base Support Manager, Ducky Jeacocke.
Vote for health
At the next state election, cast a vote as though your life and health may depend upon it. That’s the message from Lachlan Haynes, the chair of Limestone Coast Radiation Working Group—a group that has been fighting tooth and nail for the establishment of a radiation therapy service for the region. Last week, the Liberal Opposition announced that a Liberal government will deliver critical care closer to home for cancer patients in the Limestone Coast if it forms government.
Support for those with prostate cancer on YP
Rachel Hagan. With improved detection and diagnosis, the number of men surviving prostate cancer is thankfully increasing, however, this means the psychosocial impact is expected to affect more people as the population grows and ages. Yorke Peninsula Prostate Cancer Support Group leader Robert Kidd knows first-hand how secretive some men can be about diagnosis, after his own father kept his troubles with the disease to himself.
From community pharmacy comes cheaper medicines
“It’s now clear that lowering the maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment is the best way to make medicines cheaper and support Australians challenged by the cost of living to meet their healthcare needs,” Pharmacy Guild of Australia President Professor Trent Twomey said ... “The lowering of the maximum co-payment from $42.50 to $30 has saved patients a total of $346 million on medicines, as opposed to the $30 million from 60-day dispensing."
Locals revive health care
Michelle Daw. The Ardrossan community is taking health care into its own hands by helping secure more services after the local private hospital closed earlier this year. A new International Medical Graduate, Dr Sajini Abeysekera, has arrived from Sri Lanka with the support of the Ardrossan Community Op Shop and started taking patients at Medical HQ Ardrossan...
Health services to be investigated
The delivery of regional health services across the entire Limestone Coast Local Health Network will be investigated. The government has allocated $1million for this,” Health Minister Chris Picton revealed during his recent visit to the Naracoorte Hospital. “On top of this $8million investment (for the Naracoorte Hospital), a further $1million has been allocated to investigate regional service delivery across the entire Limestone Coast Local Health Network,” Mr Picton said.
Who was consulted?
Nasik Swami and Chris Oldfield. Health Minister Chris Picton claims the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) has implemented several changes to improve the care being provided to the people of Lucindale, following input from the community. But the Lucindale community disagrees with the minister and after being excluded from several meetings, says it still has not been consulted. Many residents report nursing services still have not returned to previous reliable or adequate capacity.
