Millie the BreastScreenNT bus begins Territory tour: Uibo
Over one thousand women in remote communities visited ‘Millie’ the bus last year to be screened for breast cancer, assisting women across the Territory to access early detection. Of the 6,000 Territorian women who were screened in 2023, Millie changed the lives of 49 women who were found to have breast cancer.
Sick and waiting
Sick and waiting for hours to be seen by a doctor at the Naracoorte Health Service (public hospital). How does that feel? And if that’s not bad enough, how about waiting for four hours for an ambulance transfer?
Patient waiting times worrying
Public waiting times for life-saving treatments at regional hospitals like Naracoorte are “creating real anxieties.” That’s the word from Shadow Minister for Regional Health Services Penny Pratt, who says it is concerning that people are losing confidence in country health systems.
Covid jabs, are you up-to-date?
A Supreme Court bombshell in Queensland this week as dozens of police and health workers, including paramedics, won a mammoth legal battle over mandatory vaccination, with the Supreme Court declaring they were unlawful ... It’s been nearly three years since Australian state premiers and chief medical officers forced Australians to choose between a novel Covid-19 vaccine within a phase three trial and feeding their families.
Last round of chemo
I am so, so happy to say that after multiple ultrasounds, CT scans, X-Rays, procedures, a biopsy, a major surgery, 4 months of living in Melbourne and separated from family, countless doctors appointments, hospital admissions, ER trips, blood tests, echocardiograms and 31 weeks of chemotherapy, my baby is finally in remission.
No medical treatment available for prostate cancer in the Clarence Valley
Figures suggest that there are as many as 800 Clarence Valley men diagnosed and currently living with prostate cancer. Yet there are virtually no specialised medical staff nor treatments available locally for the condition.
Clarence Valley to welcome 29 graduate nurses and midwives
More than 190 graduate nurses and midwives will commence work throughout the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) in 2024. They are among more than 3400 graduate nurses and midwives to begin work across the state this year.
Inaugural Hush Foundation Kindness in Health Writing Prize 2024
The Hush Foundation, whose mission is to transform healthcare cultures with kindness and the arts, is delighted to launch its inaugural Kindness in Healthcare Writing Prize, in memory of the late author and doctor Kath O’Connor. Kath was a General Practitioner in Central Victoria and had just finished the second draft of her beautifully crafted novel, Inheritance (Affirm Press, 2023) when she died of Ovarian Cancer in 2019 at the age of 48.
Finding balance as an invited guest: Registered Nurses lived experience of providing home-based palliative care in rural communities
Dr Lyn Rabbetts recently graduated at a ceremony held at the Convention Centre ... hosted by the Flinders University after successfully completing her PhD in Palliative Care Nursing. Lyn’s thesis was titled, Finding Balance as an invited guest: Registered Nurses lived experience of providing home-based palliative care in rural communities.
News from Kaniva & Serviceton Shared Ministry
Diane Eastwood. The Shared Ministry agreement between the Church of Christ and Uniting Church has been running for 25 years and was established to help fund a Minister who would be responsible for the congregations at Kaniva and Serviceton, whilst still retaining their own identity, buildings and control of financial matters. One of the findings from the review focused on the fact that our congregations in both towns are made up of a number of people from denominations other than C of C and UCA ...
Western Ag defib project continues to support rural communities
Chris Drew. Western Ag continued their Supporting Communities Campaign through 2023 and are pushing on in 2024, equipping more regional communities with potentially life-saving automated external defibrillators (AED). The campaign, supported by Nufarm Australia, began in 2022 and at the end of 2023 had put 15 defibrillators into rural communities. The project has started strong this year, with a further 14 defibs donated to Wimmera Southern Mallee Development...
Rural healthcare hubs funded
Six communities across Buloke, Loddon and Gannawarra Shires will soon have new Healthcare Hubs to complement existing GP services, with nurse practitioner and allied health services much closer to home. The first four Hubs will be located in the communities of Kerang, Quambatook, Pyramid Hill and Boort.
Wilcannia’s new health service opens its doors to the community
Services are now being provided from Wilcannia’s Health and Wellbeing Centre in Bonney St, off Ross Street, following a move to the new facility over the past three days ... Services provided at the Wilcannia Health and Wellbeing Centre will be the same as those provided at the previous health service.
No new paramedics for Clarence
Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson will continue to advocate for more paramedics for the Clarence despite NSW Ambulance informing him that we will receive no additional local paramedics in the latest rollout. Last month the Minns NSW Government announced regional areas in NSW will get 500 new paramedics under a plan to strengthen the NSW Ambulance workforce...
Cash for bricks and mortar, not people
The latest government alcohol control effort, now a year old, has resulted in a dramatic drop in bottle shop and online transactions, but how much we drink hasn’t gone down by a lot ... Bill Yan, Member for Namatjira and Shadow Minister for Health, says alcohol abuse measures should have received more funding: “We’ve yet to see much of the $250m promised [by the Prime Minister] last year."
Ambulance service medal for paramedic
Maldon resident and Advanced Life Support paramedic Barry Curtain is one of five Ambulance Victoria workers who have been awarded Ambulance Service Medals, as part of the 2024 national honours list. The Australian honours list acknowledges Australians for achievements, service and contribution to community above and beyond the call of duty.
VMO blow – hospital setback as Dr contract goes unawarded
A recent tender by Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) for the provision of medical services at Barham Hospital has gone unawarded, with MLHD stating, “This tender process has now been completed and, as a result, it is not sustainable to continue the provision of medical services in their current format.”
Emotional farewell for Dr Bottcher
Dr Clare Bottcher has departed the clinic where she has treated local patients for over 26 years. In an emotional farewell with clinic staff, Dr Bottcher recalled her time serving the locals of her own hometown, alongside “great mentors” and “wonderful custodians of this town”.
Why some young dentists are making the move to regional Australia
A good dentist is a valuable asset, especially outside the big cities. It's encouraging to learn that there are bright young dentists in Australia that have discovered that a country practice can offer benefits, professional and personal, over work in the city. Australian Rural & Regional News asked Dr Parshad Sankey, now in Clare, and Dr Michael Dimitrov, in Gladstone, about their country experience.
A new heatwave safety campaign
Sweltering Cities. This year on January 27, the deadliest day for heat-related deaths in Australia, we’re calling on people to help keep their loved ones and community safe. Sweltering Cities’ new heat safety campaign is calling on people to check-in on friends, family and other people who might be at risk this summer. Heatwaves are Australia’s deadliest environmental disaster and they’re expected to get worse
58 new intern doctors commencing
Darling Downs Health hospitals will have 58 medical interns begin this month, marking the largest cohort of interns that have started since the program commenced. The 12-month graduate program will see the medical interns experience the demands of urban, rural and remote medicine.
Medical students passionate about our little towns
The Local Health Medical Trust and the Barham community are excited to welcome two medical students for the next two weeks ... Having both come from the hustle and bustle of the biggest cities in Australia, Jake and Daniel relish the quieter way of living, with Barham already welcoming them with open arms.
