Health

The emergency department at Naracoorte Hospital is being fixed to make it “fit for purpose”. Health Minister Chris Picton says the community deserves to have a hospital they are proud of and can provide a high quality of care. Mr Picton was part of a delegation from the Health Ministry that visited the hospital on August 7 to see the progress of $8million upgrade work supported by the government.

Critically ill patients are being denied a hospital bed and waiting lists for public surgery continue to rise as the Victorian government sits on its hands, according to the Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Tilley called on the Minister for Health to explain the backflip on plans to use 20 beds at Mercy Health as a safety valve to the critical shortage.

The Nhill Coastbusters hosted a successful event on Sunday ... as part of their Coastrek walk to raise funds for the Heart Foundation. The event featured locally grown foods and talents, with Chef Cat Clarke from Dimboola providing delicious meals to all attendees—an exciting first for many.

Red Imported Fire Ant detections have increased around the NSW border since the highly invasive pests were found at Tallebudgera, 6km across the border into Queensland, in July 2023, with 7 additional sites resulting in an Emergency Biosecurity Order that has just been extended. Implemented on July 17, 2024, the Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order made by Chief Invasive Species Officer, Scott Charlton, was extended on August 6 for another 6 months.

Troubling figures released today show many illnesses among rural, regional and remote Australians could have been prevented or treated better with accessible primary care, thus avoiding the need for hospitalisation. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), many parts of rural Australia have higher rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations, highlighting the need for early interventions and ongoing care, particularly for non-communicable diseases.

Shaun Hollis. Yorke Peninsula poker machine players lost over $3 million more in the past financial year than any other 12-month period in the region’s history, setting an alarming new record high. The steep rise in losses in the YP region was more than triple the state average increase.

The Woodburn Bowling Club could be turned into a medical centre if the development application currently on public exhibition is approved ... The project has letters of  support  from Federal MP Kevin Hogan, State MP Richie Williamson, the Woodburn Pharmacy, Healthy North Coast and an anonymous letter in favour of Woodburn getting doctors again.

Naracoorte based radiotherapy working group chairman Lachlan Haynes has vowed “we won’t give up” following a $110,000 feasibility study rejecting South East radiation services. Meanwhile, the $243million Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) is aiming to spend $4.3 million of federal funding for radiation services on a Cancer Consult Suite at the Mount Gambier Hospital.

An event that provides an opportunity to acknowledge those whose lives have been lost in our community will be held in Corryong next week. The third annual ‘Corryong Spirit’ event will shine a light into the darkness of grief and the guest speakers include former AFL footballer Justin Koschitzke and Rev Tim Costello, one of Australia’s most respected community leaders.

For Carmell Sanne, it hasn’t just been about selling quality lingerie, sleepwear, and hosiery throughout the past 30 years, it’s also been about working closely with Clarence Valley women who have undergone lumpectomies, unilateral, and double mastectomies, offering professional advice and guidance as they navigate life post-surgery, and helping them restore their confidence and rediscover their identities.

With a prediction more than 1000 older residents will need suitable accommodation by 2027 some might want the Shire of Gingin to rethink its priorities. In the past six months the shire has controversially spent more than $700,000 for land on Dewar Rd for a future recreational use while the amount of housing available for seniors remains at the same level it was in 2015.

Cars didn’t stop tooting as they drove slowly by the nurses, midwives and other hospital staff protesting outside Lismore Base Hospital ... The rally was to highlight the need for a 15 per cent pay increase nurses say they deserve and for better conditions.

HorsePower Denmark‘s second horse, Popeye, was in fine fettle on Saturday when Anglican Church’s Mustard Seed Op Shop volunteers turned out to meet him ... HorsePower Denmark provides equine-assisted therapies at the Denmark Equine Centre for people with physical, intellectual and social challenges to help empower them to discover new abilities.

Hugh Schuitemaker. A Senior Riverland politician says the State Government needs increased preparation against potential bird flu outbreaks in South Australia. Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional SA, Nicola Centofanti has claimed documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request revealed "no official correspondence" between Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven and the state’s chief veterinary officer (CVO) regarding the threat of H7 HPAI bird flu between May and July.

The Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in partnership with the Moroccan embassy in Australia, DFAT, Austrade and the Moroccan Australian Business Council, is proud to announce that we are conducting a Trade Mission to Morocco in October 2024. The Trade Mission is designed to gain business in a country where the scope of business is extremely bright and where sectoral opportunities are very strong.

On Friday ... guests and staff gathered to officially open Quantum Medical Centre Barham. The opening of the facility under new management was a celebration of the work and dedication to retain medical services in the Barham facility and a positive step towards a bright future with a team dedicated to quality care.

Joanna Tucker. With Yorke Peninsula’s population expected to increase by up to 10,000 in the next decade, and more than 500 homes expected to be built on the Copper Coast in coming years, calls for a serious upgrade of the region’s health-care system have strengthened. Hundreds of residents are currently travelling to Adelaide regularly to access health care and with the region’s biggest hospital at Wallaroo offering only 21 beds…

Surfers are calling for improved safety at Yorke Peninsula beaches to help limit the number of shark fatalities. The push comes after Elliston Council on Eyre Peninsula installed shark bite first-aid kits at four popular beaches following several attacks last year, including two fatal ones, in the region.

A war of words has broken out between Health Minister Chris Picton and Member of Barker Tony Pasin over the release of a feasibility study on delivering radiation treatment services for the region. Mr Pasin claimed the local health bureaucracy, the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN), has “snubbed” the release of the report, hiding it from the public and the volunteers of the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Group.