Know your local – Hannah Jungwirth
My sister, notoriously bad at telling jokes (she always gives away the punchline), was born when I was 11 years old, and is now one of my closest friends. I originally interviewed her as an emergency backup, but her story is honest, and brave and gives a personal insight into issues that might help someone in similar circumstances.
Beef hides and livers – the secret ingredients in new skincare and supplement products
A new, eco-friendly range of collagen products made using traditionally low-value bovine inputs such as hides and livers will soon deliver beneï¬ts across the entire beef value chain. This world-ï¬rst Certiï¬ed Organic collagen skincare and supplements range is the highly anticipated result of a collaboration between MLA and Freeze Dry Industries (FDI), a manufacturer based on the Sunshine Coast.
Falls prevention at Longridge Aged Care
Angela Willsmore. Falls in older people are a serious health concern. In South Australia, SA Health reported in a March 2020 report that 47 people are admitted to an SA public hospital every day due to an injury caused by a fall ... Earlier this year, Good Country Physiotherapy commenced a falls prevention pilot program at Longridge Aged Care.
Cannabis expert says saliva tests not reliable
While we await the outcome of the Mayor’s charges in October, it might be pertinent to have a look at just how serious these charges are, and maybe just how reliable marijuana saliva tests are ... “The saliva tests are only checking for a per se zero presence of cannabis”: Andrew Kavasilas.
Early treatment
The measures put in place to treat Covid-19 are now coming under scrutiny as many fear the removal of generic medicines may have led to the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands of people globally ... “Had this medication (Hydroxychloroquine) been used at the outset of this pandemic, it would have saved hundreds of thousands of lives needlessly lost because this was suppressed”: Dr Harvey Risch, Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine.
AMA holds emergency summit in Lismore to thwart collapse of healthcare services
Health leaders gathered on 16 September for an emergency health summit in Lismore to urge the State and Federal Governments to immediately support healthcare services in the region ... “It’s been more than six months since the floods devastated the region and many healthcare service providers have yet to recover”: AMA President, Professor Steve Robson.
Bat Lyssavirus on Darling Downs
Darling Downs residents are being warned not to “wing it” when it comes to sick or injured bats after a confirmed case of Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV) in Kingsthorpe. The injured bat was found in a back yard in August with residents alerting appropriate authorities.
Q fever findings a timely post-pandemic reminder for biosecurity vigilance: AgriFutures
After more than six years of multi-disciplinary research, the Q Fever Group ... has released the findings of its flagship research project, Taking the Q (query) out of Q fever. The project findings fell into three broad themes; improving knowledge and management of Q fever in dairy goat herds; understanding Q fever in the environment; and structures to support Q fever management across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.
Allora Homestead residents’ gifts for new borns
Allora Homestead residents have been busy over winter making blankets and beanies for the Warwick Hospital. A wonderful effort by Judy, Kay, Laisa, Rae, Jess who have made these items with love and care for the new born babies.
Brian’s 550km ride for sick kids
Rodney Stevens. When Brian Elvery was offered the opportunity to ride his bicycle more than 500km to raise money for Ronald McDonald House he didn’t hesitate to accept. Last week, along with a core group of a dozen other cyclists plus support crew, Mr Elvery got in the saddle on Tuesday at Inverell, for the 2022 Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW Ride For Sick Kids, aiming to raise $200,000.
Heart attacks plummet and we lead the nation
In two decades, the number of people who die of a heart attack in our region has plummeted by more than 20 percent – thanks to visiting cardiologist Philip Tideman and longtime rural GPs at Kincraig Medical Clinic. In Naracoorte alone, more than 500 people have benefited from their work. Now Naracoorte and the SE are being recognised nationally and internationally for reducing death rates from heart attacks in country areas.
Permissive alcohol culture the target of region-wide Planet Youth campaign
A region-wide campaign around the permissive alcohol culture by adults towards young people is being planned by Substance Misuse Limestone Coast (SMLC) and a Planet Youth community network group. Three Planet Youth network groups have been newly established across the Limestone Coast, including City of Mount Gambier/DC Grant, Penola and Naracoorte, following the release of the second Planet Youth survey data earlier this year.
Warwick Hospital now powered by the sun
Warwick is just one of ten health care facilities across the Darling Downs to harness the power of the sun, to ensure a more sustainable future. Other regional health care facilities at Stanthorpe, Texas, Inglewood, Taroom, Jandowae, Baillie Henderson, Cherbourg, Miles and Tara are now also tapping into this renewable energy ... “In total, there are nearly 2500 panels across our facilities, which is around 1330 kW.”
Another cohort of Territory nurses transition to country: Fyles
Ten Territory nurses will spend the next 12 months building their skills and providing services to remote communities under the Transition to Remote Practice Program. This year is the first time the program recruited a second cohort of participants. They will join the 12 nurses who commenced the program at the beginning of 2022.
NSW Government responds to regional health inquiry report: Taylor
The NSW Government has finalised its response to the Rural Health Inquiry, reaffirming its commitment to improve health outcomes for all people living in rural, regional and remote NSW ... The NSW Government supports or supports in principle 41 of the 44 recommendations. Work is already underway to address many of these supported recommendations. Three recommendations are noted.
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole
Kate Foran. Dogs make fantastic companions and provide such unconditional love, many believing that they exist solely to protect us, be loyal to us, and comfort us. It’s hard to find a better friend than a good loyal dog! They intuitively know our moods, and make the most enthusiastic welcome-home fuss at the end of a long day! ... Being responsible for your dog in Tennant Creek involves a few priorities.
PAWS in Schools
Last week Maldon Primary School received the first of four visits from two very special guests: therapy dogs Archie and Mo, two members of the PAWS in Schools Program ... Evidence shows that the use of therapy dogs in a school setting can contribute towards improving the overall well-being of students.
Accessibility pilot program targets local organisations
Guide Dogs Queensland have received a warm welcome in Mount Isa as it looks to pilot an accessibility program in the region. The program will allow organisations and community services to reach the one in six people who have a disability ... Accessibility allows everyone equal opportunity and access to the same information, said Client engagement and collection dog officer, Jonathan Hall.
New Toowoomba Hospital construction underway
Early enabling works have begun at the Baillie Henderson campus as part of the new $1.3 billion Toowoomba Hospital. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the works, which include electrical works, are now underway and these will become more visible later this year when bulk earthworks at Baillie Henderson commence.
Australian mortality rates soar
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported a surge in Aussies dying. In 2022, there were 75,593 deaths that occurred by May 31 and were registered by July 31, which is 10,757 (16.6 per cent) more than the historical average. May alone saw 16,124 deaths, 1,922 (13.5 per cent) above the historical average. Of those deaths, 4,465 were attributed to Covid-19, though it is hard to distinguish died ‘with’ from died ‘from’ Covid-19.
CSIRO charts our preparedness for the next pandemic
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has outlined how Australia can improve its resilience to future pandemics, reduce their economic impact and protect the community. The Strengthening Australia’s Pandemic Preparedness report released, highlights six science and technology areas critical to minimising the impact of pandemics in Australia.
Building Ministers finalise NCC 2022: ABCB
As of NCC 2022, new residential dwellings will need to achieve the equivalent of “7 stars” NatHERS thermal performance. New homes will also have a new annual energy use budget applicable to the home’s major appliances such as space conditioning, hot water, lighting, pool and spa pumps, and any on-site renewable energy generation.
