Stage 2 Manning Base Hospital unveiled
Myall Lakes residents have been given their first look at the $100 million Stage 2 redevelopment of Manning Base Hospital with the master plan unveiled today. Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said Stage 2 builds on the $40 million upgrade completed as part of Stage 1 in mid-2020.
Never-never surgery: Bev McArthur
Earlier this month, the Victorian Government cancelled elective surgery for tens of thousands of Victorians needing care. This happened because they have failed to organise the public health system in Victoria. It is now in an aptly named Code Brown, burdened by excessive isolation rules.
Lismore Base Hospital has three covid wards and is ready for a surge in patients
Northern NSW Local Health District’s Lynne Weir said the hospital system was challenged because of the “increased activity resulting from the pandemic and the additional pressure of some staff being furloughed because they need to isolate.” The district has sufficient intensive care beds across its three major hospitals in Grafton, Lismore and Tweed with plans in place to surge staffing and ICU capacity if needed, Ms Weir said.
Libraries After Dark providing social evenings for the community
Mildura Library is providing an alternative to relax and keep cool while enjoying a social evening by extending its opening hours on Thursdays as part of the Libraries After Dark program. Libraries After Dark is a state-wide initiative initially aimed at providing problem gamblers with alternative options and venues for socialising through extended evening opening hours at libraries.
Weipa one step closer to getting new birthing unit
A Midwifery Group Practice is up and running at the Weipa Hospital in preparation for the new birthing service due to open later this year. Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said three new midwives were already in place at Weipa, with recruitment under way for a fourth.
Locking down their faith: Four senior citizens explore spirituality during isolation
Four senior citizens and Charles Sturt academics have chronicled how their time in multiple COVID-19 lockdowns and isolations have restored their faiths.
Barkly residents left in the dark over COVID vaccination rates: Edgington
While Territorians continue to follow the ever-changing mandates to stop the spread of COVID in communities, residents in the Barkly are feeling the frustration over a lack of information about cases and vaccination rates in the region and long waits for test results. Barkly MLA Steve Edgington said Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s government still refuses to tell Barkly residents what the vaccination rate for Tennant Creek is.
Novavax – getting ready to shine in 2022
Aware of the interest of many of our readers in knowing when the Novavax protein based Covid-19 vaccine might be available in Australia, Australian Rural & Regional News has obtained some positive feedback from the company.
Health service is up to challenge of fighting COVID-19, says chief
Cape York was rocked over the Christmas period when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the community. The chief executive of the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Bev Hamerton gave half an hour of her time to Cape York Weekly editor Matt Nicholls to discuss the challenges.
Anyinginyi angered by gym eviction
Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation is calling out the behaviour of the Barkly Regional Council (BRC) for the eviction of the Corporation from the Sport and Recreation Centre. The town’s sole gym was built by Anyinginyi, maintained and operated for two decades on Purkiss Reserve. Anyinginyi Board Chairperson Ross Williams said the actions of Council are a repudiation of the Barkly Regional Deal’s intent to work together, co-operatively in the interests of the community.
Maldon Hospital amalgamation
Recent feedback on the possible amalgamation of Maldon Hospital and Castlemaine Health found two contrasting perspectives. Those who saw opportunity and those who were concerned about the loss of independence ... There were eight key themes identified from the findings: management structure, improved services, greater specialisation, transparency, loss of existing services, improved access to a diverse range of GP’s, diversity and local identity.
The brave fight MND
Taylah Pomery. On Sunday 28th of November the Debbie Davis School of Dance hosted the Fight MND Dance-a-thon at the Naracoorte Town Hall. In total, the event has made approximately $7,900 to go to the Fight MND charity, inspired by beloved community figure Peter Grieve ... The event highlighted the immense generosity of the Naracoorte and Bordertown community with over 80 local business donating prizes.
Govt/Dr dispute close to being resolved
Chris Oldfield. As Christmas looms, and the final 2021 edition of this newspaper goes to print, high level negotiations were taking place between the SA Government health officials, the Australian Medical Association and the Rural Doctors Association of SA. The News understands the intention on both sides was to resolve the rural doctor crisis crippling country SA. And in good faith, for three of the five unfilled 24-hour shifts on the Naracoorte hospital roster, local doctors are working together.
Naracoorte’s meth “doctor”
More than 50 dealers of methamphetamine are currently active in the Naracoorte area, with one allegedly moving $14,000 worth per week, it has been claimed. In recent weeks, The News has been approached by several concerned residents claiming consumption of the illicit drug is growing in the local area. One such source, who spoke to The News on the condition of anonymity, claimed more than 50 active methamphetamine dealers were operating in Naracoorte, with peddlers also selling the product in Lucindale, Bordertown, Keith, and Mount Gambier.
We’ve got to save our kids from COVID: NLC Chairman
Samuel Bush-Blanasi. The Northern Land Council supports the call by AMSANT that urgent steps are needed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Katherine and the Big Rivers region of the NT. For everyone in the Katherine and Big Rivers region the CHO has given us all clear messages – get vaccinated; use the Territory Check In App; if you feel no good, stay away from work and other people and get tested for COVID-19; wash your hands and use hand sanitiser regularly and maintain social distancing where possible.
Braden out to break men’s mental health stigma
Nicholas Rupolo. Narrandera mental health youth advocate Braden Lyons says breaking the stigma for males seeking aid for their mental health must be broken in order to reverse the impacts of COVID-19 on young people in the Riverina. The comments come following Mission Australia’s Youth Survey showing attention to mental health and coping with stress was significant and important to young women more than young men.
Bright space for time out
Ali Bohn. “I wanted to make the bathrooms a nice, bright space to go when you’re feeling flat and I thought a nice mural of flowers would look really good": Barham Public School Captain, Shaylah Carter.
A massive $25,000 raised in walk
The Barham 2 Broome and Back virtual fundraising walk was held throughout November to raise money for the Local Health Medical Trust. The walk ended on Friday with a community walk and celebration ... Walkers signed up from right around our region, plus from as far away as Sydney and even Dubai!
Carnarvon’s $19.9 million Gnullingoo Mia Residential Care officially opens
WA Health Minister Roger Cook has officially opened Carnarvon's $19.9 million Gnullingoo Mia residential aged and palliative care home. This new aged care home has been integrated with the existing hospital to ensure residents have access to skilled aged care assessment, older patient initiatives and subacute programs, education and telegeriatrician services, while feeling comfortable, supported and at home.
Councillor pleads for hospital action
Gabrielle Duykers. A local councillor has implored council to “interfere” and take immediate action to address the shortage of emergency doctors at Naracoorte Hospital. As previously reported in The News, Naracoorte Hospital has been without a duty doctor three to four days each month during 2021, as a result of expired contracts with rural doctors across the state, as well as locally.
Rhythm First Aid
You may have noticed the new window display with artfully displayed bandages, band-aids and defibrillators at 22 High Street. Nurse Nicole Gleeson, started Rhythm First Aid three years ago, a training company delivering first aid training of the highest quality in a captivating and fun environment. Rhythm First Aid delivers first-aid courses to schools, parents, and businesses around Victoria.
Loud shirts … let’s talk about that
Geoff Helisma. As a shopper walks past the Yamba Fair Butchery, the ‘extra-loud’ shirts the butchers are wearing is likely to catch their attention and, perhaps, stimulate a thought: Why?
