Health

Wilson McShane. Six-year-old Harry Rendell, from Moonta, is following in the footsteps of his running idols. Supported by his parents Kara and Nick, he is training for a five-kilometre event in Melbourne ... Throughout November, he and his running team RUNNEZ have been participating in Stride 4 Stroke, a fundraiser for the Stroke Foundation.  

Rachel Hagan. Minlaton Family Centre is moving towards becoming the wellbeing hub of the lower Yorke Peninsula. However, these dreams may fall short if the community does not start using the new health services already available ... the family centre hosts GP Gaurang Prajapati and dietitian Bonnie Sanderson, who are currently not being utilised to their full capacity.

A new study has revealed there may be a significant underestimation of a specific type of  PFAS ‘forever chemical’ in the environment. Researchers from UNSW Sydney found that branched perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was more prevalent than expected in firefighting foam.

Local identity Daphne Whatley attended a YoungCare function in Brisbane at the weekend, where she was guest speaker. Daphne has been involved in YoungCare since it started in Queensland 20 years ago. During that time Allora has been raising money for YoungCare.

47 people helped the Cohuna Lions Club add to the national tally of kilometres for Lap the Map on Saturday when they participated in Cohuna parkrun ... Funds raised go to the Lions Australia Medical Alert Dog Program that provides Diabetic Alert Dogs to people with type 1 diabetes, free of charge.

It was the end of an era ... when Hay’s pharmacist of close to 70 years finally passed on the baton. "The time has come," Allan Japp told The Riverine Grazier after signing over his share of Japp’s Pharmacy to Mina Malek who had been working with him for the past two-and-a-half years.

Michelle Daw. Yorke Peninsula residents are being urged to contribute to a long-awaited inquiry into health services in the region launched on November 14. The inquiry was triggered by a petition signed by nearly 11,000 people. It was led by Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis, who lodged it with State Parliament in November 2023.

The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) is calling on Australians to understand the growing dangers of ageing and deteriorating asbestos, particularly as the summer season approaches, and home renovation projects kick off. Despite a complete asbestos ban more than 20 years ago, an estimated one in three homes across Australia still contain asbestos.  

A highly skilled team of four specialist rural doctors with qualifications and experience in obstetrics are working together, continuing to deliver babies at the Naracoorte Hospital. They include Dr Kim Trueman, Dr Clare Garner, Dr David Mills and Dr Ron Wallingford … news for obstetrics was released in statements by … (LCLHN) as well as the Naracoorte General Practice and Kincraig Medical Clinic.

Payroll tax on GPs, increasing costs for GP visits, and a complicated Medicare scheme—is our health system failing our communities and the most vulnerable?... We asked the SA Health Minister Chris Picton, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, SA Shadow Regional Health Services Minister Penny Pratt, and Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, what needs to be done to reduce the burden of increasing healthcare costs on people in country towns, where access to various health services is already limited?

As warmer weather sets in, Darling Downs Health is reminding local residents to be on the lookout for snakes. In the first two months of snake season, September and October, 39 people presented to emergency departments with snake bite injuries within the Darling Downs region.

Hugh Schuitemaker. A desire to see sustainable medical care provided for Riverlanders has seen a former local doctor receive a major national award. Renmark-based retired GP David Rosenthal recently received the 2024 Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Distinguished Service Award for five decades of dedication to rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare.

Michelle Daw. The nurses’ union has called for an urgent review of patient admission criteria and security measures at Yorketown Hospital after a terrifying incident where a patient allegedly threatened two nurses with knives. Union representatives argue the hospital’s current security systems fail to protect staff, prompting calls for stronger safeguards to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients alike.

These wonderful ladies are busy making hygiene kits to send overseas to those who are less fortunate. Members of Allora’s Days for Girls meet on a monthly basis to create essential reusable items for girls and women who don’t have access to feminine hygiene products.

A landmark independent review commissioned by the Albanese Government has found that virtually all the nation’s health professions face restrictions and barriers in working to their fullest – restrictions that are unrelated to their skills, training and experience. The review found that inconsistencies across states and territories make it harder for patients to get the care they need…

It is not widely known that life-saving treatment is offered three days per week on Donald’s doorstep, but East Wimmera Health Service’s Dialysis unit has been in operation at the Donald campus since 2006 … One such “survivor” is Wycheproof’s Paul Groves, who not only had to go through chemotherapy treatment for leukemia in 2019, he was also born with reflux nephropathy…

Naracoorte’s Legorium, a magnificent city of Lego, will soon open for two days in a bid to raise funds for Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Legorium includes three colourful rooms – one 8m x 8m - boasting displays with various Lego themes ... Behind Legorium is Naracoorte’s Angela McLachlan, a self-proclaimed “Lego addict”...