4400 Reasons to End Foot Amputations
Did you know that there are more than 4,400 amputations every year in Australia as a result of diabetes? Around 85% of diabetes related amputations are preventable if wounds are detected early and managed appropriately. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers have morbidity and mortality rates on par with aggressive forms of cancer. People with diabetes
Multidisciplinary Opioid Events in Nambucca and Kempsey
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has announced that medicines containing codeine will become prescription only products from 1 February 2018. One area that is likely to feel the impact of this change is the Kempsey-Nambucca region. This area is ranked 8th highest for opioid prescriptions dispensed in Australia in 2013[1]. While the full impact of change
Grants Available for Creative and Active Ageing Projects
Got an idea to make your community more responsive and inclusive of the needs of older people? More than $1.3 million has been allocated to round three of the Liveable Communities Grants Program to fund projects that will increase older people’s participation in activities in the community. Minister for Ageing Tanya Davies said that projects would
$9.1m in Commonwealth Funding for Aboriginal Health Services
The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Mr Ken Wyatt AM, has announced that the Commonwealth has invested more than $9.1 m in a range of health services specifically for Aboriginal communities across the North Coast. North Coast NSW – comprising Northern NSW and the Mid North Coast – has an average Aboriginal population of 4.5%, nearly
Fighting Child Obesity the Go4Fun Way
A program aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of children above a healthy weight has just registered its 10,000th participant and won one of the State’s top health awards. The Go4Fun program was launched in 2011 for NSW children aged 7-13 who are above a healthy weight. It’s free and run as weekly sessions
Updated Quit Kits
Do you have patients who want to stop smoking? The updated General Quit Kit and Aboriginal Quit Kit include new exciting resources. The Arabic, Vietnamese and Chinese Quit Kits will include fully translated and culturally appropriate materials. Practitioners and consumers can order Quit Kits from iCanQuit. Consumers should also visit the Quitnow website to support
Afternoon Tea to Raise Breast Screening Awareness
A Northern Rivers general practice involved in NCPHN’s Women’s Cancer Screening Collaborative held a colourful afternoon tea last week (during Breast Awareness Month) to raise awareness around breast cancer. The event at Grant Street Clinic in Ballina attracted more than 30 women who dressed in many hues of pink in keeping with the theme. As
Kempsey GP Named Rural Doctor of the Year
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia has named a ‘highly dedicated’ Kempsey GP as Rural Doctor of the Year for 2017. Dr Colin Farquharson has given 30 years of service to the people of the Macleay Valley. He’s also been a valued teacher to med students and young doctors, while finding time to advocate on
COPD HealthPathways Undergo Review
In order to maintain accuracy and quality, each pathway on the Mid and North Coast HealthPathways website undergoes a formal review every two years. The review involves input from GPs, specialists and subject matter experts (SMEs) from across our healthcare community. The services information in the referral section is also revised with input from SMEs
BRCA Gene Test Free for High Risk Cancer Patients
People at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer will be offered free genetic testing after the Medical Services Advisory Committee decided to list the test on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The free testing will be available from 1 November 2017. It will be provided free once medical specialists had assessed the person’s family
Integrated Team Care Update
NCPHN is pleased to announce the appointment of new service providers for Integrated Team Care. What is Integrated Team Care? The Integrated Team Care (ITC) Activity combines the former Care Coordination and Supplementary Services (CCSS) and Improving Indigenous Access to Mainstream Primary Care (IIAMPC) programs. Funds for the ITC Activity are managed by Primary Health
After the Flood: Community Survey
The flood of April 2017 will long live in the memories of the Northern Rivers community because of its size and how quickly the water came into homes and businesses. Floods can have a major impact on people’s wellbeing for a long time. The University Centre for Rural Health (UCRH) is working with other local
