New Post-COVID-19 Conditions HealthPathway

The Mid and North Coast HealthPathways team is continuing to work on relevant COVID-19 HealthPathways. We have just published the Post-COVID-19 Conditions HealthPathway. Post-COVID sequelae are common, affecting 10-35% of patients with mild to moderate disease but closer to 80% of patients admitted to hospital with the illness. Knowledge of post-COVID 19 conditions is still

Safety Advisory – Zostavax Vaccine

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is advising health professionals that Zostavax vaccine should not be used in people whose immune system is weakened by certain medical conditions or medicines. This is because of the risk of disseminated varicella-zoster virus infection with the vaccine virus, which can cause serious illness and death. Zostavax is a live, attenuated varicella-zoster

New Recovery App Helps People Overcome Substance Use Issues

A new, free recovery app has been developed for people facing mental health and substance use challenges. A team of mental health and substance treatment experts have developed The Buttery Wellbeing App. The app increases the range of treatment options for people who have not yet entered treatment and those who have recently completed a

Shortage of Estradot (estradiol) 25 and 75

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has previously published information about shortages of Estradot (estradiol) hormone replacement therapy patches (multiple strengths). They are now extending the Serious Shortage Substitution Notice (SSSN) for Estradot 25 and issuing a new SSSN for Estradot 75. Estradot hormone replacement therapy patches are used for short-term relief of symptoms associated with menopause.

Healthy North Coast Prepares for COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced Australia’s COVID-19 Vaccine National Rollout Strategy, which details sites and priority populations for initial vaccinations, and the phases in which vaccine doses will be made available in Australia. A PDF copy of Australia’s Epidemiology and COVID-19 Vaccine Roadmap can be viewed / downloaded here. Click to download PDF The vaccine

Brisbane Lockdown Highlights Importance of Being COVID-Safe

Healthy North Coast is reminding local communities of the critical importance of continuing good COVID-19 hygiene and physical separation practices. The advice follows the Queensland Government’s decision today to impose a three-day lockdown on the greater Brisbane area (Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan), to stop the spread of a highly infectious strain of

COVID-19 Travel Advice: Where To Find Information

Border and travel restrictions are being updated regularly in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone planning to travel should check the relevant government website for advice: See NSW Government Travel Advice for information about travelling to and from NSW. This site also contains information about travelling within NSW. All states and territories currently have

Updated COVID-19 Advice for NSW Residential Aged Care Providers

Residential aged care providers and those providing services within aged care are reminded to regularly visit the NSW Health website for the latest advice and directions from NSW Health. As of 7 January 2021 – and until further notice – all residential aged care facilities must: ensure all staff and visitors wear a surgical mask within the facility

Queensland Border Restrictions

The Queensland Government is issuing regular updates to border restrictions. Up-to-date information on border restrictions is available here. Anyone entering Queensland from NSW now needs a Queensland Border Declaration Pass. Travellers can apply for a pass here. From 1:00am on Tuesday 22 December, any visitor who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in NSW in the past

New Restrictions for Visitors to North Coast Hospitals and Inpatient Facilities

Northern NSW 22.12.2020 NNSW Local Health District Media Release: From today, visitors from certain NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) will not be able to enter hospitals and health facilities in Northern NSW Local Health District. At present, the affected areas are the Greater Sydney area and the Central Coast LGA, Wollongong LGA, and Blue Mountains

Cloth Masks and COVID-19 Visitor Information Posters

As we welcome visitors to our region for the holiday period, it’s important that we continue to keep our community COVID safe. NSW Health strongly recommends that people wear masks in public places where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing, and also in enclosed spaces such as planes, buses and trains.  Healthy North Coast

Updated Advice for NSW Aged Care Providers

Aged care providers are reminded to regularly visit the NSW Health website to keep up to date with the latest advice and directions from NSW Health. As of 18:00 AEST Sunday 20 December the directions stated:  Until at least 11.59pm on Wednesday 23 December 2020: all residential aged care facilities across NSW must exclude visitors. Visitors