Interventional Suite at Coffs Harbour Health Campus
The new $2.4 million Interventional Suite at Coffs Harbour Health Campus is now fully operational, with services progressively being brought online since late March this year. The project began late last year to construct a hybrid facility that would not only allow specialist clinicians to diagnose through the use of high definition imaging, but also
New Palliative Care Role for Cardiac and Respiratory Disease
The Mid North Coast Local Health District’s palliative care team has been bolstered by the addition of a new CNC2 position based in the Coffs Harbour Clinical Network. The position, which is being shared by Scott Handsaker and Susan Gillies, is to support patients with end-stage cardiac and respiratory disease. It has been funded for
Hearing Awareness Professional Development
Australian Hearing has put together a comprehensive Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) education activity to help GPs and nurses learn more about identifying and managing hearing loss. The QI & CPD accredited program can be completed individually or as a group. Around 60% of Australian adults over 60 years are affected by hearing loss. If
HealthPathways for Mental Health
As demand for mental health treatment continues to soar, new figures show that GPs are doing the heaviest lifting to ease the burden of mental illness. It is estimated the number of mental health presentations to GPs have increased by about 4.7% annually since 2009 , reaching 15.8 million visits in the 2012/13 financial year.
Over the Counter Codeine Supply Changes
From 1 February 2018, low-dose codeine will no longer be available without prescription in pharmacies. This will include codeine-containing combination analgesics like Panadeine, Nurofen Plus and Mersyndol. The change will also affect pharmacy generic pain relief products, and codeine-containing cough, cold and flu products like Codral, Demazin and pharmacy generic cough, cold and flu medicines.
Support After Suicide Group in Lismore
Lifeline Northern Rivers is offering a Support After Suicide group in Lismore. The service will run from late September to mid-December 2017. The group aims to help people bereaved by suicide work through grief, manage emotions and better cope with everyday life. This will be an understanding, safe and confidential environment. It is often felt
BreastScreen NSW Needs You
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Research has shown that your patients are more likely to have a breast screen if you recommend it to them. Your active support in encouraging breast screening will help with the detection of breast cancer in its early stages. Regular two-yearly mammographic breast cancer screening remains the most proven
Sleep Apnoea HealthPathways
Did you know the average person spends 28 years of their life asleep? That might sound like a lot, but it’s better than the alternative. Sleep deficiency adversely affects alertness, cognition, productivity, safety, learning and mood. It can also lead to poor metabolic, cardiovascular and mental health outcomes, along with premature death. Obstructive sleep apnoea
No Jab, No Pay – Legislation Changes
Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children will no longer be allowed to enrol them in child care with the “conscientious objector” option scrapped from January 2018. Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the new rules will reduce the risk of children contracting potentially deadly diseases such as whooping cough and meningococcal. “The NSW Government
Nurse Networking in Hastings Macleay
The Hastings Macleay Primary Care Nurse Network meeting held on 29 August was a great evening that offered an opportunity for nurses to meet local nurses in an informal setting. The Hastings Macleay meeting was attended by 37 local primary care nurses from various settings such as general practice, aged care and community health. This
Specially Designed Financial Matters Presentation for Health Professionals
HealthSpeak columnist and financial adviser Michael Carlton from PECUNIA Private Wealth Management is keen to find out whether or not GPs and allied health professionals in the region would attend a specially designed presentation on financial matters. Michael says many health professionals spend little time finding out how to maximise their financial position. He points
Paediatric Unit Opens at Lismore
Bright play areas, a parents’ lounge and an adolescent retreat are now available in Lismore Base Hospital’s redeveloped Paediatric Unit. Member for Lismore Thomas George and Health Minister Brad Hazzard officially opened the unit and met with staff, patients and families. Mr George said the Paediatric Unit accommodates 20 children and has 14 private rooms, including three
