Love on the land – new tools for rural and remote relationships
Two new tools ... rural health experts from the UniSA have launched a new online resource to help farmers build and maintain a healthy relationship with their partner ... Rural based entrepreneur Mia Ryan hails from the Hunter Region and when she found trouble finding love using traditional dating apps, she developed her own, 'Howdy' ...
Firearms Bill to burden health system with over 1,500 assessments a month: Love
The Nationals WA have opposed Labor’s contentious Firearms Bill 2024 as the full impact on WA’s health system and individual licence holders was revealed during debate this week. Nationals Leader Shane Love MLA said a months-old briefing note from WA Police, which was only provided to Parliament this week, laid bare the scope of the new mandatory health assessments which WA’s 90,000 licensed firearms holders will soon be subject to.
Partnership launched . . . wellbeing “flies””ˆinto Wycheproof
East Wimmera Health Service and Flying Doctor Wellbeing have partnered to bring increased mental health support to Wycheproof. Starting in March, Pat Boyer, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, will be seeing clients face-to-face at East Wimmera Health Service, and delivering telehealth services across the catchment in partnership with Flying Doctor Wellbeing.
Haines pushes priority budget projects
Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has made the case for significant investment in projects that benefit communities in the electorate in her submission to the federal government ahead of the May budget. The key themes of Dr Haines’ Indi Budget Submission reflect the widespread concerns of the electorate right now including increasing regional housing supply, providing cost-of-living relief and improving health outcomes.
Dairy Co-op takes stock of farmer mental health with grassroots support
Norco, Australia’s largest and oldest dairy co-operative has announced the expansion of its ‘Farmer Army’ with new mental health recruit and dairy farmer veteran, Craig Waddell ... Michael Hampson, Norco Chief Executive Officer said the newly created position of Mental Health Support Officer will provide support exclusively to their farmer members who may need to talk to someone during challenging times or simply want to have a chat with another farmer.
Farmers urged to stay alert to risks of fatigue
Sheep and cropping farmer Jack Armstrong knows that in agriculture it pays to be proactive with safety, particularly when it comes to managing the risks of fatigue during peak periods ... WorkSafe data shows March and November are peak months for workplace fatalities in agriculture, corresponding with the busy sowing and harvest seasons.
‘Game changer’: Industry welcomes return of critical health course to TAFE NSW Cootamundra
The CEO of a Cootamundra aged care facility has welcomed a move by TAFE NSW Cootamundra to reintroduce a critical healthcare course amid a deepening skills shortage in the industry. For the first time in almost a decade, a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance will be offered at TAFE NSW Cootamundra ...
Respiratory viruses fall victim to tea tree oil’s virucidal vigour: AgriFutures Australia
Deeper understanding of the anti-viral activity of tea tree oil opens doors to animal and human health applications. While tea tree oil is relatively well-known for its ability to treat a range of bacterial and fungal infections, new research has confirmed the homegrown essential oil could also be a valuable tool in the fight against respiratory viruses in livestock and humans.
Bureaucrats on notice – working groups to form
Health bureaucracies that slashed rural nursing services for the sick and elderly have been put on notice by Member for MacKillop Nick McBride and Health Minister Chris Picton ... Without consultation, on January 22 the green rubber rings of two Local Health Networks squeezed out rural nursing services at Lucindale, Tintinara and Coonalpyn. People with cancer, MS, heart conditions and the elderly were told to drive round trips of 80kms or more for many nursing services. Most have no ability to drive. There is no public transport.
Tilley will see out term
The Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, says an ongoing cancer battle has forced his decision to quit politics when his current parliamentary term expires in 2026, for what will be 20 years of service to the electorate. Mr Tilley was diagnosed with leukemia late last year and he continues to be treated for the cancer that, while incurable, can be managed with specialist medical care.
Gym access a “game changer”
Cohuna’s visiting paramedics and Ambulance Community Officers (ACO) now have access to a gym to keep their bodies and minds healthy and active. Thanks to an initiative of ACO Travis Hore and the generosity of Bree from Evolve Fitness and Performance, our visiting ambos can keep as fit as they want when they want and still be ready at a moment’s notice to jump in the ambulance.
Day of the outages
Sarah Herrmann. Several Wool Bay residents were frustrated by more than 30 momentary power outages ... which reportedly damaged appliances, adding to a steady stream of blackouts for the small township over multiple years ... "The biggest worry we’ve got is that we rely on CPAP machines at night time; medically, we’ve got to have it otherwise we could not wake up": Dave Norton, Wool Bay resident.
Wallaroo Hospital security extended, under review
Sarah Herrmann. Wallaroo Hospital’s full-time security measures have been extended until May while an external review to determine future protocol is completed. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation campaigned for better security at the site after a man smashed through two sets of entry doors and attacked the back of an ambulance at the hospital in February 2023.
Shining light on “The Shadow That Follows”
Member for Mildura, Jade Benham recently had the privilege to visit local schools to deliver Conor Pall’s debut book, “The Shadow that Follows” ... “It was one of the most meaningful days I’ve had in this role yet, it took a bit of planning, but I had the opportunity to spend the day with the brilliant Conor Pall."
Government tells sick and elderly to drive 80km
Without consulting three rural communities, the SA Government has abruptly slashed nursing services to people with cancer, heart conditions and multiple sclerosis. Sick, infirm, and elderly people at Lucindale, Tintinara and Coonalpyn have been told to go to larger towns...
Rural doctor says change needed to overcome doctor shortage in regions
We've got a GP shortage problem across the board that requires numbers," according to Dr Paul Mara AM, a general practitioner (GP) who has served as a rural doctor for 40 years and inspired the single employer model (SEM) being trialled across the country ... After watching his practice struggle to retain staff for years, Dr Mara cleverly used government funding to develop a unique training model that better coordinated a pathway for GPs to work in rural communities.
How’s ya mate in Wilcannia
Perth born Kirby Bentley, former player for the Fremantle and Carlton clubs in the AFL women’s comp, visited Wilcannia Central School on Thursday 22nd Feb., to socialise and throw a few balls with the students from both schools. Sponsored by Lifeline through a Regional NSW grant, Kirby’s aim was to promote "How’s Ya Mate?", mental first aid for kids.
Pharmacy trial surpasses 12,000 consultations: Park
The NSW Government’s pharmacy trial has this month surpassed 12,000 total consultations, relieving pressure on GPs and making it easier for people to access basic medications. The trial allows trained community pharmacists to manage urinary tract infections (UTI) and provide treatment medicines if needed, as well as resupply the oral contraceptive pill (the pill).
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.
Local women collaborate to deliver inclusive IWD events
A dedicated committee of women have been working hard to deliver two fabulous International Women’s Day (IWD) events for Tennant Creek next week. Under the leadership of Barkly Regional Council and Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge, a diverse committee of women, along with the generous support of the Northern Territory Government’s Office of Gender Equity and Diversity and a multitude of local organisations, have come together to bring these events to life.
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.
