Mid North Coast Project Studies Advance Care Planning
Participants are being accepted for a Mid North Coast study into end-of-life care planning. The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) Coffs Clinical Network has received a grant to conduct translational research over the next two years. The grant comes from the NSW Regional Health Partners Research Fund. It will be used to study
Coffs Harbour Pilot Program Aims to Beat Bowel Cancer
The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) has begun a pilot program in Coffs Harbour for people who may have bowel cancer. The Direct Access Colonoscopy (DAC) program triages and prioritises patients who have returned positive faecal occult blood tests. Referrals to the program are either through GP assessment or via a person’s participation
New Lung Cancer Resource for GPs
Diagnosing lung cancer at an earlier stage leads to better outcomes for patients, however diagnosis can be challenging. Symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath are often non-specific, and imaging results are not always definitive. General practitioners play a key role in identifying lung cancer, as the majority of patients first present to primary
Asthma Webinars for Health Professionals
The National Asthma Council Australia has launched an Asthma Best Practice series of six educational webinars. Included is a timely ‘Asthma in Spring’ webinar. Late September to December is when the amount of rye grass pollen and other material such as fungi or dust in the air can increase. This occurs across south-eastern Australia and
High Risk Foot Service
The Mid North Coast Local Health District’s High Risk Foot Service provides a multidisciplinary, coordinated approach to managing foot complications. The service aims to prevent unnecessary presentations to hospital, admissions and possible amputation. The criteria for referral includes any person with an infected or probe to the bone wound of the foot, or has an
Telestroke Service Update for Mid North Coast
NSW Health’s new Telestroke Service commenced clinical operations in March this year, providing regional and rural stroke patients with immediate, life-saving diagnosis and treatment from the state’s leading clinicians. The service builds on a pilot using telehealth technology to deliver time-critical 24/7 access to specialist clinical advice for the management and early treatment of stroke
Melanoma Risk Calculators
Clinicians and patients now have access to a series of online melanoma risk calculators. These tools can assist in prevention, early detection and optimum treatment of melanoma, ultimately saving lives. Developed by the Melanoma Institute Australia and based on published risk prediction models, the three web-based calculators are housed on a new Melanoma Risk website.
Putting the Focus on New Fathers
For many years, NSW Health has provided parenting support, information and screening that has focused on new mums. Now, they are trying to find better ways to offer the same kind of support to new dads. The Focus on New Fathers pilot aims to assist fathers in feeling confident and supported in their role. The
Telestroke Service Reaches Northern NSW Patients
Stroke patients in the Northern Rivers now have access to a new telehealth service. The NSW Telestroke Service at Lismore Base Hospital links stroke patients with specialist clinicians via telehealth. The service enables time-critical diagnosis and treatment for patients in regional and rural areas. “People in regional and rural areas have a far greater risk
Port Macquarie Cardiac Rehabilitation Group Goes ‘Virtual’
The Port Macquarie Cardiac Rehabilitation Group’s rehabilitation program is on hold due to COVID-19, but now there’s a virtual alternative. The program offers education and exercise for patients who have cardiovascular disease or have had a cardiac event. The new structure is the same as the face-to-face program but is condensed to one hour every
Shortage of Hormone Replacement Therapy Patches
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is advising of a shortage of Estradot (estradiol) hormone replacement therapy transdermal patches due to manufacturing issues. To assist patients to access medicines during this shortage, the TGA has published Serious Shortage Substitution Notices (SSSNs) for Estradot 25 and Estradot 100 patches. These SSSNs allow pharmacists to dispense a substitute
Local Nurse Network Meetings Attended by 220+
Last week, Healthy North Coast hosted two local Nurse Network webinars that were attended by over 220 participants including nurses, GPs and allied health professionals. The topic was wound management and each session included five key elements: Networking and interaction Insight into the Wound Busters clinic Clinical Nurse Consultant presentation Vascular surgeon presentation Panel Q&A
