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02
Jul
2021
With much of Australia under lockdown or restrictions, Healthy North Coast is reminding people of potential impacts on mental health and how to deal with pandemic pitfalls.
Healthy North Coast delivers the Australian Government’s PHN program from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie and inland. The organisation recently partnered with 89 Degrees East to conduct a short online community consultation that attracted more than 1,000 respondents.
The survey responses showed the impact of lockdowns, isolation and social distancing on families, communities, friends and workplaces was a clear source of anxiety and loss for many.
Pleasingly though, a significant number of respondents reported their situations were unchanged, while a smaller percentage had even seen improvements, proving the old adage that every dark cloud has a silver lining.
69% reported their physical health stayed the same or improved, while the financial position of 73% was unchanged or better. On the work front, 69% said their situation was the same or better than before.
COVID-19 has had the greatest impact on connections with family and friends, with 63% rating them worse than before COVID and just 10% noting an improvement. Similarly, when asked about their lifestyle, 53% rated it worse, 34% said there was no change and 14% reported an improvement.
50% of respondents said their mental health was unchanged, 7% said it was better, but 43% reported a decline.
Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Julie Sturgess said familiar threads were woven through many responses from across the region.
‘People had a desire to travel and attend live music events,’ Ms Sturgess said. ‘They missed the liberties and freedoms once taken for granted and looked forward to having them restored. They also hoped for economic and social recovery.
‘COVID has affected us all in different ways but it’s heartening to see not everyone has suffered. I encourage those who are doing it toughest to seek support.’
When people were asked in the survey what they most looked forward to, typical comments included:
‘Freedom. To make personal choices and not have to check a government website to find out what is ok.’
‘Freedom to travel, attend concerts, hug my friends, see ageing parents.’
‘Seeing the hospitality, tourism and entertainment sectors recover as they have been a vital source of employment, especially for young people.’
The small daily annoyances grated on many, like one person who wrote: ‘I can’t wait to walk into work and not need my temperature checked.’
And a sentiment echoed by many: ‘Looking forward to improved health outcomes for all peoples of the world and those who have experienced COVID-19.’
Ms Sturgess said mental health support was just a phone call or a mouse click away. One of the services she recommends is Connect to Wellbeing.
‘Anyone young or old can find themselves in need of some help and guidance,’ she said. ‘Connect to Wellbeing offers a single point of contact to connect you with the right mental health support, information or a service that best suits your need.
‘Trained staff can provide you with information about, or referral to, the service that’s most appropriate for you. This includes any one of the many mental health, alcohol and other drugs, or NDIS support services located across the North Coast.’
To get in touch with Connect to Wellbeing, call 1300 160 339, Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, or email [email protected]. For more information and to find out about available support, visit Connect to Wellbeing North Coast.
Ms Sturgess said there are things we can all do to contribute to positive mental health and wellbeing. These include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, avoiding excessive use of alcohol or other drugs, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining social relationships.
Healthy North Coast funds Connect to Wellbeing through the North Coast PHN program. It is not a crisis service. For immediate 24/7 support contact:
In an emergency call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
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Contact for media enquiries
Zoe Satherley (Mon-Wed)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0428 623 093
Mike Hely (Wed-Fri)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0437 978 473
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands across our region, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and on their journey. We recognise these lands were never ceded and acknowledge the continuation of culture and connection to the land, sky and sea. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Land’s first peoples and honour the rich diversity of the oldest living cultures.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
North Coast is identified as the region most likely to be impacted by climate change in Australia and also forecasted greatest growth in those 65+.
Healthy North Coast takes a lead role in ensuring the older population and the sector that supports them are prepared for, can respond to and recover from disasters and other emergencies.
We have led eight regional disaster management capacity building workshops, bringing together SES, community organisations and the aged care sector.
We have also developed disaster preparedness tip sheets for both residential and community aged care providers.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
In May 2022, the NSW Parliament passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. Effective from Tuesday, 28 November 2023, eligible people have the choice to access voluntary assisted dying.
Healthy North Coast has developed a webpage for both health professionals and consumers, with links to available information and resources.
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
Healthy North Coast has worked with people living with dementia, their families and local service providers to develop an information booklet that will help them connect with local and national supports along their journey.
The booklet includes commonly asked questions for people to ask their GP and/or specialist.
The resource is available in digital and printed copies, with more than 5,000 distributed across the region. An e-version is available to clinicians via the Dementia and Cognitive Impairment HealthPathway.
Strategic Priority Area: One team
The Deteriorating Resident Response Tool (DRRT) has been developed to guide RN’s in Residential Aged Care homes (RACHs) to better understand, anticipate and make clinical decisions responding to the deteriorating health of residents.
The objective of the DRRT is to give RACH staff clear information to triage and provide appropriate care for a range of residents’ health conditions, and, in turn, prevent unnecessary presentations to ED.
The tool has been designed together with a specialist geriatrician, consulting with stakeholders such as Residential Aged Care Managers, NSW Ambulance, GPs, and experts from Mid and North Coast LHDs.
The pilot commences in March with four participating RACHs. Evaluation measures will include effectiveness in building RN confidence and reported reduction in unnecessary hospitalisations. Findings will inform a future planned, region-wide implementation.
Strategic Priority Area: No one is left behind
The Care Finders program is a free region-wide service to support vulnerable older people who have no-one else to help them, to learn about, apply for and set up support services.
Care finders can help people understand what aged care services are available, set up an assessment, and find and choose services. They also help people with access to other supports in the community, both accessing services for the first time and changing or finding new services and supports.
On the North Coast, Healthy North Coast has commissioned four organisations to provide this important service: EACH, Carexcell, Lifetime Connect and Footprints.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Healthy North Coast commissions two service providers to deliver psychological therapies and supports for older people with, or at risk of developing, a mental illness and who are living in residential aged care homes (RACHs).
The aim of the program is to both provide direct support to residents and their families and carers, as well as upskill the RACH workforce to respond to the needs of residents presenting with mental health concerns.
Strategic Priority Area: Securing a Healthier Future
Delivered by Feros Care, the Healthy Me, Healthy Community program aims to build individual and community connections to reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing in Port Macquarie.
The program helps people to connect with community, activities, supports and services that address their broader social determinants of health, as an alternative or supplement to a clinical approach.
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Timely access to primary health care professionals, whether through face-to-face consultation or telehealth, is recognised as an issue for many Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs), that in some cases can lead to potentially preventable hospitalisations. RACHs require adequate telehealth facilities to support access to virtual consultations for their residents.
Project goals
Strategic Priority Area: Improving Lives Now
Aims to provide people who have life limiting conditions the opportunity to exercise choice and receive high quality care at home, harnessing improved and better coordinated supports and services that meet their individual needs.
Program objectives:
These objectives will contribute to achieving the following intended overarching outcomes of:
Funding is open to all primary care providers within disaster affected communities across the Healthy North Coast footprint.
Workforce Locum support and R&R funding criteria
Wellbeing Flexible Funding Criteria & Eligibility
| *Team Size (Total staff and contractors) | Funding Available |
| Small (1-5) | $500-$1500 |
| Medium (6-20) | $1500-$4000 |
| Large (>20) | $4000-$5000 |
