The Operating Theatre Day Surgery and Expanded First Stage Recovery in the Lismore Base Hospital were officially opened by Thomas George, Member for Lismore on Monday 9 December.

In order to meet the growing demand for day surgery, the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Board approved the expansion of the Theatre Day Surgery at Lismore Base Hospital,” Mr George said.

“This is good news for the Northern Rivers community. It allows the Lismore Base Hospital to cater for more patients who are waiting to have their Day Surgery and to reduce the waiting times for patients,” Mr George added.

Mr Chris Crawford, NNSWLHD Chief Executive said this decision has also facilitated the return of Ophthalmology services to the Lismore Base Hospital, so allowing local residents to have their eye surgery at their local Public Hospital.

The construction of the new Endoscopy Unit at the rear of the Medical Imaging Department of the Hospital presented an opportunity for expanding the Recovery area with extra floor space to provide more beds,” Mr Crawford said.

This expansion has afforded the Operating Theatre Day Surgery area to increase from six beds to a larger ten 10 bed area and the Recovery area now has 13 new Recovery Chairs and a new Staff Station.

Mr George said, “The Day Surgery Operating Theatre area was constructed as an extension of the existing Operating Theatre floor, which is located over the Medical Imaging Department on the floor below. The new Recovery area will be shared with the new Endoscopy Unit that is currently under construction in an adjoining area.

“As well as this development, the Operating Theatre Staff Lounge and Doctors write-up area were increased to double their previous size. Also a new Kitchenette was developed. In addition, extra Staff have been employed to assist in the overall function of the expanded services,” Mr Crawford said.

The design of this new area was undertaken by Health Projects International (HPI) and the construction was undertaken by Woollam Constructions

The North Coast HIV/Sexual Health, Hepatitis and Needle Syringe Services are encouraging people to put their health first this holiday season by practicing safe sex and reducing the chance of catching a sexually transmitted infection.

Manager HIV and Related Programs, Jenny Heslop said the best way to prevent a sexually transmitted infection was to use a condom and get tested regularly especially if you are sexually active.

“This is often the time of year when people are on holidays enjoying the sun, the festive celebrations and relaxing. Don’t relax too much and be aware that increased alcohol consumption often results in people taking unnecessary risks such as unsafe sex. This may increase the chance of catching a sexually transmitted or blood borne infection,” Ms Heslop said.

“These infections are preventable through safe sex and can be treated and managed if they are detected through regular testing.

We would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season and encourage them to heed the safe sex message.

“Injecting drug users are also encouraged to safely dispose of used needles and syringes appropriately in a sharps disposal bin to reduce the risk to others.”

Many Sexual Health and Needle Syringe Program services will be closed, or will operate with reduced hours and staff between 24 December and 4 January.

Services are available for people seeking sexual health advice:

If you think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection call the Sexual Health Information Line on 1800 451 624 If exposed to a blood borne infections contact the HEP C Helpline 1800 803 990 or the PEP Hotline (HIV) 1800 737 669 If accidentally pricked by a discarded needle call the Needle Stick Injury Hotline on 1800 804 823. Finding discarded needles and syringes then call the Needle Clean-up Hotline on 1800 633 353.

The Rotary Club of Lismore has donated $23,673.00 for the installation of a Solar Panel Power System to go on the roof of Our House.

This is a big boost of energy saving for the 20 unit accommodation, which was constructed to assist people from across the region receiving treatment at the Lismore Base Hospital and the Lismore Cancer Centre.

Rebekka Battista, Our House Director said the installation of this system will greatly assist in reducing the costs of running this vital facility.

Some seven years ago, when the Lismore Rotary Club first heard of plans to try and establish an accommodation centre for patients and/or their carers, the Club recognized how such a project fitted perfectly with the Rotary belief of “doing good in the world”.

In early May 2006 the Club established a fund which, thanks to the various Rotary activities and prudent financial management, has grown into an incredible amount of money that will help Our House go Solar.

When Our House recently called for expressions of interest from community groups and others to provide goods and/or services to the Unit, the Rotary Club of Lismore knew their finances were such that they could provide for a significant item.

“The solar panels are an item that although costly, will bring substantial economic benefit to the overall running of Our House,” said Rebekka Battista.

We are immensely grateful to the Rotary Club of Lismore for their continued support and generosity to Our House” says Rebekka.

“The Rotary Club of Lismore is proud to be part of the Our House project. It has been a unique and important initiative that supports patients, their carers and/or their families to be provided for at a time of greatest need and care,” says Brian Wheatley, Secretary of Rotary Club of Lismore

In handing over this cheque, the Rotary Club of Lismore would like to congratulate all those associated with Our House for their vision and continued commitment to such a worthwhile project.

“Nickel Energy, a local solar company has also become involved in helping to make solar a reality for Our House. Nickel Energy has installed over 6 mega watts of solar throughout New South Wales and Queensland,” said Rebekka Battista.

“No project has meant more to us than the Our House installation. The work people do at Our House is amazing and we are honoured to be chosen to assist,” said David Copperthwaite, Managing Director of Nickel Energy.

Northern NSW Local Health District Service Agreement, 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014; An Agreement between the Director-General, NSW Ministry of Health and Northern NSW Local Health District.

NNSWLHD Service Agreement 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

The key goals of the NSW public sector health system are to help people stay healthy and to provide access to timely, high quality, patient-centred health care.

Achieving these goals requires clear priorities, supportive leadership and staff working together, underpinned by the core values.

One important way the CORE values can be realised is through active engagement of Local Health Districts and other Health Services with the NSW Health Performance Framework. This Agreement supports the devolution of decision making, responsibility and accountability for the provision of safe, high quality, patient centred care to Local Health Districts by setting out the service and performance expectations and funding for the Northern NSW Local Health District.

Australia’s most easterly Light House will be lit Red during World AIDS Day on 1st December as part of North Coast World AIDS Day 2013 activities to raise community awareness about HIV.

North Coast HIV and Related Programs (HARP) will partner with North Coast Medicare Local, ACON Northern Rivers and a number of regional organisations to promote the World AIDS Day 2013 NSW theme: Ending HIV.

Jenny Heslop, Manager, North Coast HIV and Related Programs (HARP) said, “It has been over 30 years since the first diagnosis of HIV in NSW and we are getting closer to achieving our goal of Ending HIV”.

Through the remarkable advances in testing and treatment and the continued promotion of safe behaviour, we now have the means to achieve this goal. Everything has changed. We now have the means to virtually eliminate the transmission of HIV by 2020.”

“NSW has a strong track record of achievement in preventing the spread of HIV. However, the 2012 data shows a concerning rise in HIV notifications in NSW, with 409 new diagnoses in NSW residents, compared with 330 in 2011. We are reminded that HIV affects people of all ages, genders and cultures; with 14% of notifications in 2012 from heterosexual contact. Currently up to 15,000 people are estimated to be living with the virus in NSW,” Ms Heslop said.

Dr Natalie Edmiston, HIV Staff Specialist with North Coast HARP said, “Prevention is still key to minimise the impact of HIV on our community. The most effective way for people to protect themselves and their sexual partners in reducing the spread of HIV is to use condoms consistently and have regular HIV and STI testing,” Dr Edmiston said.

“While there is still no cure for HIV, advances in medication and treatment not only improves health and wellbeing of people with HIV but also reduces the risk of spreading HIV to others, often without people knowing it.”

“A recent key development on the North Coast is the introduction of rapid HIV testing site in Lismore – an important step to getting tested for early diagnosis and treatment. The new easy finger-prick screening test for HIV can give preliminary result within 20 minutes – while you wait,” Dr Edmiston explained.

On World AIDS Day 1 December, people in NSW are being asked to show their support for those living with HIV by wearing a red ribbon.

Our Kids 2014 Calendar and a professionally produced and superbly packaged Christmas CD, featuring the talent from Local School Choir students singing ten Christmas Carols is now available.

The Our Kids Calendar features photographs of children who have spent time in the Lismore Base Hospital Children’s Ward or Special Care Nursery. Every photo tells a story of the children, who were photographed by the highly-regarded photographer, Jacklyn Wagner.

After the photos were completed, Graphic Designer Dougal Binns from Lismore’s Graphiti Design laid-out the calendar and Shaun McGuiness from Lismore City Printery supervised the print job. When the project was finished, one set of the calendar images were individually framed and are ready to go on display in the Lismore Base Hospital.

Local Sponsors pre-booked a one month sponsorship for this worthwhile community project. The Sponsorship covers the full cost of the production, allowing all monies raised to go directly to Our Kids.

Besides the Calendar the Our Kids CD is also being launched. The ten Local Schools that participated had their songs recorded at the Southern Cross University, using the local recording talent of Brendan Waters.

The CD packaging was designed by Dougal Binns from Lismore’s Graphiti Design team, who also created the Our Kids 2014 Calendar.

This is a wonderful idea to revisit the Calendar Kids, as many people ask how the ‘Calendar Kids’ are going?” said Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator, Rebekka Battista.

The Calendar’s and CD COMBO sales raise vital funds to buy equipment for the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery at Lismore Base Hospital and will be on sale after the launch at a retail price of $20.00.

This year our aim is again to be ‘SOLD OUT’ before Christmas. They will be available across the North Coast and on line at onlineourkids.org.au or by emailing the Our Kids office at ourkids.LBH@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Some places where they will be available from 14 November:

Westpac Bank (Lismore, Casino and Ballina), Lismore Base Hospital, Budget Eyewear, East Ballina Foodstore, Kyogle Dentists, Lennox Head Pharmacy, MacDonald’s Pharmacy, Lismore Foodworks, Scotts@ Molesworth, Angus and Coote and the Book Warehouse

October is Mental Health Month and this year the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), together with the Australian Department of Human Services, On Track Community Programs, Family & Community Services (Housing NSW), The North Coast Community Housing Company and Youth Connections is focussing on the difficulty people with a mental health challenge or other social disadvantage, have in obtaining suitable accommodation.

Real Estate Agents from across the Northern Rivers have been invited to participate in a morning of skills training to equip them to more effectively support clients who may be experiencing mental health challenges or other social disadvantage.

Warren Shaw, NNSWLHD Richmond-Clarence Mental Health Services Network Manager said the information session is intended to be interactive, providing the Real Estate Agents an opportunity to ask questions from the presenters.

“The session – Navigating the Mental Health Garden Turning Disadvantage into Advantage – covers topics on practical ways to assist Real Estate Agents on how to manage complex tenancies and to demystify mental health issues in the rental market,” Warren Shaw said.

It can be difficult for Real Estate Agents to navigate situations where mental illness or other distress in tenants becomes apparent. Having a reliable plan and a contact person will greatly assist in achieving a positive outcome for both the landlords and tenants,” said Mr Shaw.

“The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2007) data shows that over the previous12 months one in five Australians reported the existence of a mental disorder. This forum is a good opportunity for Real Estate Agents and their teams to build on their skills with guidance from mental health and community development professionals,” Mr Shaw added.

Presenters are as follows:

Maire Barron, North Coast Community Housing Guy Dayhew, Richmond/Clarence Mental Health Rehabilitation Coordinator Ryan Rooney, Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator, Richmond Mental Health Service Steve Carrigg, Rural Adversity Mental Health Projects Officer Lucie White, Youth Connections

Jill Enks was diagnosed with a rare cancer in the salivary gland of her mouth, called an Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and was referred to the North Coast Cancer Centre in Lismore for treatment. However, living in Junction Hill near Grafton meant a two hour drive each way for six weeks to have daily treatments was going to be difficult.

When Mrs Enks was told about Our House, it provided the ideal solution to her dilemma. Staying at Our House avoided all the driving and helped make her six weeks of treatment more bearable while at the same time reducing the travel and costs.

Rebekka Battista, Our House Director said “Our House was specifically built to help provide accommodation for patients and their families, as well as for people who have loved ones receiving medical treatment in the Lismore Base Hospital or the Cancer Care Centre.”

Our House is located directly across the road from the Cancer Centre and has 20 private units with access to communal areas, including a kitchen, lounge room and barbecue area.

After having surgery in Brisbane it was really important for me to stay somewhere closer to home,” Mrs Enks said.

“Since Our House opened in December last year we have had a lot of guests from outside the 2480 postcode because the daily drive for treatment takes its toll,” said Rebekka.

“Our House is a wonderful facility, it is modern, clean and has everything you could possibly need during treatment,” Mrs Enks said.

Our House was made possible through the generosity of the local community. Even after the doors opened the community continues to give. Their kindness is ongoing and there is always someone helping out from local organisations and the sports enthused Lords Taverners, who provide a weekly dinner or barbecue for the guests.

Our House was great for us, even though I couldn’t eat much, my husband Warren and I loved the interaction and conversations with everyone,” said Mrs Enks.

“I want to send a special thanks to Ruth and the Staff of Our House for their support during my treatment. I recommend anyone who needs somewhere to stay while having treatment in Lismore to stay at Our House” Jill added.

Mrs Enks is now at home, keeping well and enjoying the glorious Jacarandas.

To contact Our House please call reception on 6629 4350 or visit:

www.ourhouse.org.au

For more information on Our House contact Rebekka Battista: 0438 41 70 85

The 2013/14 Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Budget delivers important extra funding but the next twelve months will present challenges.

Giving an overview of the 2013/14 Expenses Budget, which totals $632M, some $23M higher than in 2012/13, the Chair of the NNSWLHD Board, Dr Brian Pezzutti, said, “This extra funding will cover higher staff wages of around 2.5 per cent and inflation-induced increases in the cost of various good and services, such as medications, bandages and electricity.

Under the new funding arrangements which commenced in 2012/13, NNSWLHD has received an Activity Based Budget, which funds the NSW LHD to treat a specified number of patients. Should the NSW LHD treat more than the targeted number of patients, it does not receive any extra funding for treating the extra patients from Activity Based Funding sources. Therefore, to achieve the National Elective Surgery Targets, NNSWLHD will need to make efficiencies in other areas.”

“However, I am reassured that the financial arrangement with the Ministry of Health will improve over the coming years associated with improved transparency.”

“I am comfortable that we will meet the efficiency targets that are applied to all NSW Government agencies. In addition, the NNSWLHD will be able to retain some of the extra own source revenue raised and expenditure savings that it generates through efficiencies to fund growth in its services,” according to Dr Pezzutti.

Examples of how these extra funds will be utilised include –

The opening of an extra around-the-clock Intensive Care Unit bed at The Tweed Hospital The opening of an Emergency Medicine Unit at Lismore Base Hospital, to help manage ED pressures The appointment of a second Orthopaedic Surgeon to Grafton Base Hospital Appointment of an extra five Clinical Nurse Educators and Clinical Nurse Specialists for local hospitals.

Dr Pezzutti said, “Since January this year the Board has been considering how it would meet the challenges of implementing the 2013/14 Budget. The prime goal is to ensure that services continue to expand to meet the increasing needs of the community, while ensuring that necessary and achievable savings result from reducing inefficiencies and reviewing expenditure.

The Board has faced some difficult choices but it recognises that such decisions are better made on an informed local basis, rather than resulting from a centralised process.”

The Board Chair said, “The 2013/14 NNSWLHD Budget does contain positive news but this year will also require some challenges to be met through careful management to optimise the delivery of high quality patient care from the available funding.”

As well, NNSWLHD will receive around $3.0M under the National Dental Scheme, which will enable it to provide Dental Care to around an extra 3,500-plus clients, who would otherwise have waited longer for their care. This additional dental care is on top of the 140,000 dental treatments NNSWLHD already provides each year.

“Meeting the inevitable increases in patient demand will require NNSWLHD Hospitals to introduce and adhere to more efficient practices, in order to treat a greater number of patients within existing bed capacity,” Dr Pezzutti said.

“A key demand management strategy will be treating in the community more patients, who would previously have been admitted to hospital. This will be done through an expanded utilisation of the effective Hospital in the Home Program and by expanding Community Palliative Care Services.”

Dr Pezzutti said the Connecting Care Program will continue to be utilised by patients with chronic diseases, with earlier intervention protocols in place to ensure that early treatment is made available should their health show signs of deteriorating. This will help to reduce the “revolving door” of hospital re-admissions for these chronic patients.

“These efficiencies will be facilitated by the introduction of a variety of new programs, such as the Whole of Hospital, Rapid Response and Results Pending initiatives and a Transit Lounge at The Tweed Hospital, which is a proven way of increasing the utilisation of acute beds.

“Through introducing these efficiencies, NNSWLHD is seeking to achieve $6.3M of savings, which it will be able to retain in order to help meet the demand pressures generated by our growing and ageing population.”

Dr Pezzutti added, “While ensuring that services are still provided free of charge to Medicare eligible patients, NNSWLHD has agreed to raise extra revenue of $3.7M by better identifying Privately Insured patients, which costs will be met by the Private Health Funds. In total, NNSWLHD will need to raise $84.76 million of own source revenue to pay for the services that it will provide.

“Patients are asked to let Staff know that they are Privately Insured, so that they can be classified as such, which means that they can access the extra benefits available to Privately Insured patients and can assist NNSWLHD to raise this extra revenue.

Can you spare a couple of hours a week to help people find their way to the new Fracture Clinic at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH)? The LBH United Hospital Auxiliary is looking for Volunteers to help with guiding and transporting patients to the new Fracture Clinic within the Hospital.

The LBH Auxiliary is seeking men and women of all ages, who have some spare time and would be interested to assist in the Clinic on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

If you are sensitive to the needs of people from different backgrounds and would like to help our patients please contact Diane Loza on: 02 6620 2354

Would you like your life to have more meaning and passion? Could you be happier than you are now? Is stress a problem in your life? Come and learn how to thrive instead of just survive!

Six free evening sessions will be held from Tuesday 29th October 2013 – 3rd December 2013 5.30pm – 8.00pm Women’s Health Matters Third floor, 29 Molesworth Street, Lismore

Bookings

02 6620 2999

The Quit for New Life program aims to contribute to the reduction in smoking rates amongst pregnant Aboriginal women, women who have an Aboriginal baby and other members of their households.

Tracey Greenberg, Cessation Trainer from NSW Ministry of Health, said the program is an initiative of the NSW Ministry of Health in partnership with NSW Kids and Families.

“The objective is to support pregnant Aboriginal women and members of their household to quit smoking during the pre-natal and post-natal periods and to remain smoke-free,” said Ms Greenberg.

“The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) will roll out and implement the program locally over the next three years (2013-2016),” said Christine Sullivan, Cessation Support Leader with the NNSWLHD.

Quit for New Life Cessation Support Officers will follow-up with the pregnant mum to help her with her Quit attempt.

The women will be referred to the NSW Quitline, provided with ongoing smoking cessation care and if clinically appropriate, provided free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) through a voucher system. Household members are also able to receive the free NRT after they are assessed by the Cessation Support staff,” Ms Sullivan advised.

Mothers and household members can take their voucher to the local Pharmacy to receive their NRT and once they are enrolled in the Quit for New Life program, both the mother and household family members are entitled to 12 weeks free supply of NRT.

Letitia Kelly is a local woman who had been a ‘social smoker’ for over ten years. Whilst employed as a police woman and working shift work, her smoking habit increased. She says she found it difficult working night shifts and she struggled with the irregular hours required in the police profession.

Letitia changed jobs to work in the health industry and watched another worker support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to quit smoking. She saw the change in community members who were able to quit and recognised the benefits of giving up the smokes.

When she fell pregnant with her son, she joined the local quit smoking program. Letitia says she was concerned about the dangers of smoking and the effects that would have on her unborn baby. Letitia gave up smoking with the support of the local Bugalwena Quit Smoking Program and credits the staff for helping her achieve a smoke free lifestyle.

Act Belong Commit is the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program’s message being sent out during October on how to keep mentally healthy.

Steve Carrigg is the Mental Health Promotion Officer for the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program and said being active, having a sense of belonging and having a purpose in life all contribute to happiness and good mental health.

“To be mentally healthy means that most of the time you feel good about yourself and good about what you do. To be able to enjoy the simple things in life and to feel optimistic about the future is really important for our mental health and wellbeing,” said Steve.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Mental Health Services is encouraging people to keep physically active, to be involved with a group and to be socially active. Social connectedness is good for our mental health. This can be simply saying ‘good morning’ to your neighbours, joining a club or becoming a volunteer, where you meet people and can make friends as well as feeling good about yourself through giving. All of these activities are good for our mental health.

“One of our staff members, Julijana Vranic is a Welfare Officer at the Lismore Adult Mental Health Unit and has been volunteering her time around her work commitments to set up the Bundjalarms,” Steve said.

The Bundjalarms (Butterflies) Netball Program is a health promotion project that has arisen through the connection between a group of Aboriginal people, health and public sector workers, and community members with the shared belief that sport can be instrumental in creating positive change for people and communities.

“Since the Netball Program began 18 months ago the numbers have doubled with young girls aged between 8 to 16 years wanting to participate in the Program, which primarily targets Aboriginal girls from the Goonellabah and Lismore area but is inclusive to girls in the Richmond area,” said Julijana Vranic.

The Program operates on a weekly basis and provides diversional activities with a focus of education, healthy lifestyle and behaviours, positive role modelling, nutrition education and connecting with the community.

These activities have been beneficial in providing a social outlet for the Aboriginal girls, while at the same time increasing their resilience to social and environmental pressure. The Program also nurtures their sense of self-worth, builds fitness, creates peer support and helps them to overcome difficulties beyond the umbrella of the group activities,” said Julijana.

“We have good collaborative partnerships with local organisations that include NNSWLHD, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Officer, Mental Health Services, Lismore City Council, Goonellabah Sport & Aquatic Centre, Tackling Aboriginal Smoking and the Health Lifestyle Initiative Team – known as ‘Solid Mob’, Northern Rivers Social Development Council and Aboriginal Legal Service.

When the program finishes the group of up to 25 young girls will attend the NSW Aboriginal Netball Carnival in Newcastle, where they can showcase all the netball and social skills they have learnt throughout the year. The Carnival is held over three days culminating with a dinner and presentation, which is very exciting for the Bundjalarms especially for some, who have never travelled so far or been to such a large event,” Julijana added.

The Lismore Bundjalarms Netball Program will expand in 2014 to include sporting club membership in the Lismore District Netball Carnival. Our aim for the Program is to have senior, intermediate and junior teams, which is open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous players who would like to play for a unique and diverse netball club.

The Program has been supported by community businesses and volunteers. A big thanks for 2013 needs to go to Norco Kyogle, Goonellabah Aquatic Centre, Northern Rivers Social Development Council, Solid Mob, Lismore City Council, the volunteers Julijana Vranic and Brian Caldwell (Community Corrections Aboriginal Officer), who developed the program and A Grade Players/Coaches Tamara Hamshaw & Zoe Goodsell, Penelope Gibson (Team TB), Georgina Cohen (First Sun), Caitlin Duroux (Student), Kelly Sharf-Hyde (Indigenous Youth & Mental Health Worker) for their ongoing support and assistance during the year.

Less than 1 in 2 women aged 50-74 have their recommended mammogram every two years.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Women aged 50-74 are encouraged to call 13 20 50 to book an appointment for a free mammogram.
To support the ‘My Reason to Screen’ campaign visit www.facebook.com/breastscreennsw and share the viral pledge and tag your loved ones as your ‘Reason to Screen’.

‘My Reason to Screen’ is an awareness campaign that aims to help women recognise who or what is important to them, and allow them to identify their ‘reason to screen’ – for example, this could be their family, friends or life itself.

The ‘My Reason to Screen’ campaign was launched at a breakfast event in Sydney on 28 August 2013. The event welcomed a small group of powerful, highly influential women from key cancer organisations, business backgrounds and media outlets.

These women have pledged to unite to start a conversation and increase breast screening rates across the State. This ‘pledge’ will be communicated through mainstream and social media channels, igniting discussion around the critical need to increase breast screening rates.

Melissa Hoyer hosted the intimate discussion among panellists including breast cancer survivor Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Julie McCrossin and Professor Sanchia Aranda. These influential women highlighted their reasons to screen through real life experiences, and shared information to support breast screening awareness.

We invite you to join us and make a pledge to improve breast screening rates – and ultimately save lives.

Make the PLEDGE and tell us your reason to screen on the BreastScreen NSW Facebook or Twitter pages or use the the #myreasontoscreen hashtag.

The Murwillumbah District Hospital, through the Tweed Valley Birthing Service has been providing pregnancy, birth and postnatal care to women in the Tweed Valley and Tweed Coast region for nearly four years.

Recently the service was accredited to incorporate the concept of water birthing.

On 5th August 2013 Lauren Solca was the first woman to have a water birth in the Hospital’s Women’s Care Ward since accreditation was received.

“Lauren and partner Dave Warne are the proud parents of baby Grace, their second child. Grace’s birth will not only be memorable for her parents but also for the Midwives,” said Cheryl Colley, Midwifery Unit Manager.

Providing a ‘water birth’ option for women is another way the local Midwifery-led service can offer more birthing choices for women,” Cheryl Colley said.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Annette Symes said, “Since the implementation of the Midwifery-led Model of Care, which commenced at Lismore Base Hospital in 2009, this model is available in Midwifery Units at Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah Hospitals.”

The Midwifery-led Model of Care offers women with a normal pregnancy, an alternative to traditional maternity care. Women who use this model are able to have continuity of care with the same Midwife throughout their pregnancy, birth and early post natal experience.

“This service was in response to the growing worldwide recognition that midwife-led care offers an appropriate and cost effective maternity care option for women experiencing a normal pregnancy and birth,” Annette Symes said.

“Building a relationship with a midwife has proven successful for women in the region. In addition, research indicates that women receiving care from a known Midwife experience lower rates of unnecessary intervention, excellent outcomes and higher rates of satisfaction,” said Cheryl Colley.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Tweed Valley Birthing Service, please call the midwives on (02) 6672 0108.

In 2012/13, funding to Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) for patient services was on the basis of meeting local needs within agreed activity targets. This funding approach known as Activity Based Funding (ABF) was applied to acute inpatients, emergency departments and non-admitted services. The first year of the reforms focused on the development and implementation of the funding model.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner established the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Rural Health to provide advice on how to improve both the delivery of health care in rural areas and assist with the development of a Rural Health Plan for NSW.

“The NSW Rural Health Plan will identify innovative solutions for rural, regional and remote health in NSW, to improve access to quality health care and the general health of these communities,” Mrs Skinner said.

The plan will ensure that rural health remains firmly on the state agenda, receiving the attention it deserves.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health Melinda Pavey and NSW Health’s Director of Health System Planning and Investment, Dr Liz Develin, will facilitate a consultation today at Lismore.

Mrs Pavey said just over a quarter of the NSW population lives outside the three major cities of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

“There has been significant improvement and investment in rural health services since the last rural health plan was released in 2002, including a substantial increase in the rural health workforce and investment in the rural health infrastructure,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Despite these improvements, health services and people living in rural and remote NSW experience challenges due to a range of factors including: geographic isolation, socioeconomic disadvantage; access to health services; greater exposure to injury risks and Aboriginal populations with a high prevalence of health risk factors and diseases.”

Mrs Skinner said consultation with rural and regional stakeholders was fundamental to the development of the NSW Rural Health Plan.

“The NSW Government has made significant investments in health infrastructure throughout rural and regional NSW but, for a comprehensive understanding of where further work is required, we need the help of those who provide health services and those who rely on them,” Mrs Skinner said.

“I encourage everyone to participate in this consultation process, either directly or through submissions to the website”.

The Ministry for Health is encouraging submissions for the Plan to be made via:

Have Your Say - NSW Rural Health Plan

For more information on the NSW Rural Health Plan visit:

NSW Health Rural Health Website

As from the first week in August, to facilitate the return of community health services, the current Community Care Centre will be replaced by Coraki Campbell Community Health, which will be located in the Coraki Conference Centre space on the ground floor.

Coraki Campbell Comunity Health

Services will be provided starting at two days per week, commencing on Wednesday and Thursday. To make an appointment please call Evans Head Community Health Reception on 6682 4899 between 8.00am and 4.30pm weekdays.

It is expected that further services will commence in the near future as part of these Coraki Campbell Community Health services. These services will include Community Paediatrics, Diabetes Education, Womens Health and Audiometry. It is anticipated these and other services will be eventually located in the new HealthOne facility when operational.

Services provided on Wednesday

Child and Family Health Nursing Clinic Child and Family Social Work Child and Family Speech Pathology

Outreach Community Health Services are provided in Coraki, in client’s homes and in other locations such as the local school.

These Community Health Services include Community Nursing, Child and Family Health Services, Paediatric, Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology, Counselling and Immunisation Services.

As well, services are provided at the Community Centre in Box Ridge. These services include:

Child and Family Health Nursing, including immunisation Adult Physiotherapy Adult Occupational Therapy Child and Family Counselling Child and Family Speech Pathology Child and Family Speech Occupational Therapy Medical outreach from the Casino Aboriginal 
Medical Service. Diabetic care Baby care Blood pressure monitoring • Skin care
• Vitamins
• Family health Webster care – medicine packing • Home medication review
• Prescriptions on file
• Local delivery service

In addition, the local Coraki Pharmacy provides:

Services provided on Thursday
Physiotherapy – (may also attend at other times) Monthly Immunisation Clinic
Wound Clinic – (may also attend at other times) General Health Chronic Disease

Adult Staff members from nine different shops across the north coast were taken to court during the last financial year by the North Coast Public Health Unit for selling cigarettes to people under 18 years of age.

Director of North Coast Public Health, Paul Corben said that fines of between $400 and $1000 were handed down by the various Magistrates after the sales persons from stores in Kyogle, Casino, Bowraville, Grafton and Ulmarra pleaded guilty.

“NSW Health is determined to prevent the sale of cigarettes to people under 18 years of age and the No Identification, No Sale is the simplest message we can give to retail shops that sell cigarettes,” Tony Kohlenberg, Environmental Health Officer said.

If all sales persons ask customers who appear to be under the age of 25 years for identification, then everyone should be able to comply with the law,” said Tony Kohlenberg.

The maximum fine for a first offence by an individual for selling cigarettes to a person under 18 years of age in NSW is $11,000 and for a corporation, it is $55,000.

In the 12 months from July 2012 to June 2013, 93 tobacco retailers across the North Coast were tested for compliance with the Public Health (Tobacco) Act as part of the NSW Health Tobacco Compliance Monitoring Program.

“I am very pleased that most tobacco retailers make an effort to comply, however finding that some shops will still sell cigarettes to children is unacceptable”, said Mr Kohlenberg.

“Preventing children from accessing tobacco products is an important step in reducing smoking-related illness and deaths in our community,” Mr Kohlenberg said

The North Coast Public Health Unit regularly checks retail premises to ensure they comply with the law.

To notify the authorities about someone selling cigarettes to young people,

Please call an Environmental Health Officer at your local Public Health Unit on: 1300 066 055 or call the NSW Tobacco Information Line on: 1800 357 412

Carer Val Courte is being recognised with Kidney Health Australia’s Operation Angel Awards this Wednesday, 31 July in Lismore.

Kidney Health Australia’s CEO Anne Wilson said: “The Operation Angel Award is a part of the National Awards Program which recognises the unsung heroes of the kidney sector – the carers, the patients, doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to support those with kidney disease and to increase awareness of the need to reduce the burden of kidney disease.”

Currently in Australia nearly 11,000 people are on dialysis, over 1,000 are waiting for a kidney transplant and sadly over 54 die with kidney-related disease every day.

Val has been caring for her husband since 2004 when he commenced haemodialysis at the Lismore Base Hospital. Tom has had both of his legs partially amputated and has had significant health challenges since he started dialysis to treat his end-stage kidney failure. To support Tom after a lifetime of never driving, Val learned how to drive a car to take him from their home in Casino to his treatments three times a week. The dialysis unit staff says that Val never expects staff to do anything for Tom that she could do herself. Those that know Val say that her dedication, enduring love and commitment to be by Tom’s side during his kidney journey is truly admirable and inspiring to all around them. She also engages with and supports other patients, carers and staff, by lending a helping hand to ensure patients are warm and comfortable during their dialysis treatments. Husband Tom said that his hardworking and loving wife makes him feel like he is in Heaven already with the care he gratefully receives.

Kidney Health Australia is a national health care charity with a vision ‘to save and improve the lives of Australians affected by kidney disease’. As the national peak body, Kidney Health Australia promotes good kidney health through delivery of programs in education, advocacy, research and support:

www.kidney.org.au

The North Coast Public Health Unit is advising people in Nimbin and surrounding areas to be on alert after four people living in the Nimbin area were diagnosed with rubella infection.

The spacing between the cases suggests that there have been other infectious cases in the local area that have not been diagnosed or reported.

Greg Bell, Public Health Assistant Director said although rubella is very uncommon in Australia due to high vaccination rates, it is important that residents are aware that it is currently circulating in the community.

Rubella is a viral infection that is usually mild in nature but can have very serious consequences for unborn babies if mothers contract the infection during pregnancy,” Mr Bell said.

“Infection during pregnancy can result in congenital rubella syndrome in up to 90% of infants born to women infected in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The risk is considerably reduced after the 20th week of gestation,” Mr Bell said.

Congenital rubella syndrome can result in miscarriage and a range of congenital problems including but not limited to, intellectual disabilities, deafness, cataracts and heart abnormalities. Affected babies may suffer one or more of these problems.

“Symptoms of rubella may include a mild fever and a red blotchy rash over the entire body. The rash lasts for around three days but children may not develop noticeable symptoms. It’s important to note that up to 50% of people with rubella infection will show no symptoms,” Mr Bell said.

“Vaccination with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent infection. Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for children with the first at 12 months and the second at 18 months of age,” Mr Bell said.

People born during or after 1966 and don’t have two documented doses of MMR vaccine should contact their local health provider for vaccination advice. The MMR vaccine is available free to people born during or after 1966.

“The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically 14 to 17 days but can be up to 21 days. People are infectious for seven days before the onset of the rash until at least four days after the appearance of the rash. Anyone who contracts rubella should stay away from pregnant women, work, preschool, school and other public places until at least four days after the onset of the rash,” Mr Bell said.

Anyone with symptoms should contact their General Practitioner or Emergency Department in advance before arriving for treatment to ensure that they can be isolated from other patients.

Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the occurrence of congenital rubella syndrome in our community. For vaccination to be effective a high level of MMR vaccine coverage must be maintained in the community.

To assist local people who require vaccination for rubella, a Clinic will be held at Nimbin hospital on Tuesday 6th August 2013 from 10-00am to 12-00 noon. Please call 6688 1401 for an appointment.

concerted new recruitment campaign has been launched to find a suitable medical practitioner to operate a fulltime General Practice in Bonalbo and to work as a Visiting Medical Officer at Bonalbo Health Service.

“This campaign is being coordinated jointly by the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) and the North Coast NSW Medicare Local, with advertising in national and local press, online recruitment sites and medical publications,” said the Chief Executive of the NNSWLHD, Mr Chris Crawford, and the Chief Executive of the North Coast NSW Medicare Local, Mr Vahid Saberi.

“The GP VMO position in Bonalbo offers attractive relocation and accommodation incentives, with conditions including access to the Commonwealth’s General Practice Rural Incentives Program, and appropriate professional development and educational opportunities,” Mr Saberi added.

The search to recruit a new doctor for Bonalbo coincides with the planning that is under way for a redesigned health facility to service the long-term health care needs of the community.

“We need to ensure that Bonalbo’s acute, aged care and primary health services are appropriately tailored to the community’s needs. We know that innovative modern facilities attract high calibre clinical staff, and the knowledge that the development of the Bonalbo MPS, inclusive of a GP clinic space, is being considered is an added incentive for suitable applicants,” Mr Crawford said.

Further details on the position are available from Dr Katherine Willis-Sullivan, Director of Medical Services, (02) 6620 2353, other information and applications online at:

NSW Health Online Job Applications

Hepatitis Week: Time to Look After Your Liver – NSW Hepatitis Awareness Week – July 21-28

Northern Rivers residents living with hepatitis C are being urged to consider their treatment options for an illness that can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. In addition, many people may not know they are infected with hepatitis C virus because symptoms rarely occur at the time of contracting the disease.

These are the key messages for NSW Hepatitis Awareness Week, with the latest estimates showing more than 226,000 people in Australia are living with chronic hepatitis C and 170,000 people with chronic hepatitis B.

“Northern NSW has the third highest notification rate of hepatitis C in NSW,” said Jenny Heslop, Manager of HIV & Related Programs (HARP).

“New and effective treatments are available across many centres on the North Coast, but treatment uptake rates are very low. Hepatitis C can be treated, and in many cases cured, allowing people to live healthy, virus free lives.

“Public health strategies such as blood donor screening, Hep B vaccinations, Health Promotion programs and the well utilised Needle Syringe Program have contributed to significantly minimising the rates of transmission. But we still have a long way to go to get on top of this issue”, Ms Heslop added.

We urge all people who inject drugs to get tested at least annually and to access the free and confidential services provided by the Needle and Syringe Program to reduce the risk of transmission of Hepatitis B, C and other blood borne viruses such as HIV.

“During Hepatitis Week awareness raising and Health Promotion activities are taking place around NSW to help minimise the stigma and discrimination that prevents people from accessing information and treatment services.

“We thank Hepatitis NSW for their ongoing support to our local communities, particularly the annual Community Grants Program.”

The ongoing impacts of chronic hepatitis C are serious, with about 20 per cent of patients developing cirrhosis within 10 to 20 years of the onset of infection. Liver failure from chronic Hepatitis C is one of the most common reasons for liver transplants.

“A cure is now possible for the overwhelming majority of people with hepatitis C,” said Mr Stuart Loveday, CEO, Hepatitis NSW, who will officially open the new Lismore Liver Clinic this week.

“With the listing of new treatments on the PBS in April, almost all people in Australia living with hepatitis C have cure rates of around 75 per cent to 80 per cent.

“Now is the right time for people who may have been living with hepatitis C for years, or even decades, to visit their doctor to get a referral to have their liver health assessed. This will help them decide whether they should go onto treatment sooner rather than later.

“Hepatitis NSW encourages people from across the Northern NSW LHD to access the services that are available at the new Lismore Liver Clinic to help treat hepatitis C and B.”

A Patient’s Story

Digby Hildreth is a local journalist and self-described former injecting drug user:

“I thought I was the one that got away, when all my using companions from the 70s became ill with hepatitis C. It was only when two of them died from liver failure that I decided to get tested. Sure enough, I had the virus – and had it for more than 30 years.

“Mine is a particularly difficult form to treat and I was unable to clear the virus after two treatment programs. Now it has followed a not-uncommon course and developed into liver cancer.

I regret not having a check-up earlier. I may have been able to halt the disease’s progress.”

Commented Jenny Heslop, “Unfortunately Digby’s story is only one of many we hear and see at the Liver clinic…if only Harm Reduction Services such as Needle & Syringe Programs were available in the 70s, or that Digby didn’t wait until he had developed symptoms to get tested the results may have been very different today.”

For free and confidential Information and support, call the NSW Hepatitis Helpline 1800 803 990/ 1300 437 222 or visit:

Hepatitis NSW Website

Acommunity meeting will be held in Bonalbo on Friday 19 July 2013 to update local residents on the planning work undertaken to date for the Bonalbo Multipurpose Service (MPS).

The meeting at the Bonalbo Bowling and Recreation Club will be from 12.45pm – 2.45pm and local residents are invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to present nine design options for a Bonalbo MPS, to seek feedback on them, and confirm the community’s priorities.

The hosts of the meeting, Chief Executive of Northern NSW Local Health District, Chris Crawford, and Chair of UnitingCare Ageing Council North Coast, Mr Alan Hoskins, said, “Although we are still early in the planning and feasibility stage, the NNSWLHD and UnitingCare are committed to achieving the best health service outcomes for the people of Bonalbo and surrounds.

“It is important to conduct this process in close consultation with the local community. We want to fully understand their health and aged care needs and we will strive to meet these. Therefore, we extend an open invitation to residents and interested parties to attend the meeting on Friday 19 July, or if they are unable to, then to submit any questions they may have.

“We need to ensure that Bonalbo’s acute, aged care and primary health services are appropriately tailored to the community’s needs. The objective of this process is to ensure that health and aged care services continue to be provided at the Bonalbo Hospital site.

“We know that innovative modern facilities attract high calibre clinical staff, and we will be looking at a range of potential design options that we are keen to get feedback on.”

Mr Hoskins added, “UnitingCare NSW.ACT has a long history of providing aged care services for the NSW North Coast community and we are fully committed to creating a plan to ensure those needs are met long into the future.”

Our Kids Management Committee, Janet Bowden (Community Member), Dr Chris Ingall (paediatrician) Suzette Pearce (Chair), Katie O’Rourke (Community Member) Kevin Carter (NNSWLHD Richmond Network Business Manager) Rebekka Battista (Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator)

This week the local charity Our Kids celebrates one of the greatest possible milestones for any not-for-profit organisation – reaching the million dollar fundraising mark, all of it as a result of support from the local community.

At midday this Wednesday 10 July, Our Kids will mark this achievement by greeting the media in one of the key places where the money has been invested, the Special Care Nursery at Lismore Base Hospital, which looks after newborns requiring intensive medical management.

On hand to share stories about the charity’s 12-year life will be a number of Our Kids volunteers, including Board chair Suzette Pearce, founder and paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall, and fundraising coordinator Rebekka Battista.
More formally known as Northern Rivers Children’s Health Fund, Our Kids helps acquire key equipment that supports local medical teams. Without this equipment many more children and newborns would need to be sent to the cities to receive their care.
Our Kids also issues annual Community Grants for families or organisations which care for children who have special needs. These grants purchase equipment, medicine and therapeutic items to help care for these children at home.
Ms Pearce said, “On behalf of the many children and families we have helped to support over the years I would like to warmly thank everyone who has got behind Our Kids.

“his includes donors of particular equipment, supporters who have attended events such as the Our Kids Winter Ball and Melbourne Cup fashion lunch, people who’ve bought the wonderful Our Kids calendar, and much more.

“Our sponsors deserve our profound gratitude, especially the Platinum Partners – ABC NorthCoast, The Northern Star and Northern Rivers Echo, NBN Television, Southern Cross University, Telstra Countrywide and Wolftracks web design,” Ms Pearce added.

“The generosity of particular supporters and the broader community has enabled Our Kids to purchase a range of vital equipment to ensure more young people can be cared for locally in the LBH children’s ward or Special Care Nursery.”

For an overview of Our Kids activities in recent years visit:

Our Kids Website

The following statement may be attributed to Mr Chris Crawford, Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District:

For the safety and wellbeing of future mothers and their babies, birthing services currently provided at Casino and District Memorial Hospital (CDMH) will be transferred to Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) from 1 August 2013.

The Maternity Service suspension is part of an initiative to ensure that all local families have ready access to the full range of sustainable, specialised obstetrics services, including midwifery and anaesthetics, as well as 24/7 midwifery support.

At present, under its classification as a Level 2 facility for maternity services, CDMH may assist in low-risk birthing only, does not undertake inductions, elective or emergency caesarean obstetrics, or anaesthesia (general or epidural).

As a result, all expecting mothers outside the low-risk criteria are assisted to deliver at LBH, only a 30-minute drive from Casino. Local GPs and the Aboriginal Medical Service also refer their patients to LBH. At present, around 326 women a year from Casino and surrounds birth at LBH.

In recent years the number of women birthing at Casino has decreased considerably, with only 46 births last year (2011-2012). One impact of the lower number of births is the reduced professional opportunity for midwives to work in a best-practice model of care, and maintain their skills.

The midwifery model of care, which operates at LBH, helps with the recruiting of midwives. CDMH has regularly experienced midwife shortages, with the birthing service now overseen by only one doctor, a Visiting Medical Officer who is a GP with advanced obstetrics training.

Despite various attempts at recruitment, it has not been possible to attract other Obstetrics-trained GPs or sufficient additional Midwives to work at CDMH.

Because birthing numbers at LBH have been trending downwards, this major referral hospital has extra capacity available to manage all the women currently birthing at CDMH. It also has a full range of high-level obstetrics services, including a full surgical capability, and well-developed midwifery and nursing teams.

To maintain the convenience of maternity-related care in Casino antenatal services will continue to be provided at CDMH. The decision to suspend the CDMH Maternity Service has been taken in order to ensure that all women from Casino and surrounds can access a sustainable, high quality maternity service into the future.

Anyone seeking further information or advice about their birthing arrangements is asked to ring Casino and District Memorial Hospital on (02) 6660 0642.

From Lismore to Langtang, the children will thank you!

If you’ve ever sat with an ill child or parent, you know how much they need you there. That’s why this year’s 6.7 km Byron Lighthouse Run on Sunday 15 September will be donating all profits to Lismore’s Our House and Nepal’s Lantang Valley Health.

“These charities are very close to my heart,” said organiser and cancer-survivor Brigid Kramer. “This time last year I was clinging to my family at Lismore Base Hospital. I can’t imagine how awful it would be to not have them close by.”

Brigid said the aim is to donate more than $22,000 to charity this year, so that families can be together when they most need to be.

We are calling on everyone who is fit and well to celebrate their good health and sign up for this year’s Byron Bay Lighthouse Run. We have options for either the run and for a walk. Let’s get all of our healthy families to support those not so lucky.”

Our House will use some of the funds to help accommodate people having cancer treatment who are experiencing financial hardship.

Support will also be given to Langtang Valley Health, some four days away from the closest medical care, which will use the funds to purchase essential medical equipment and supplies, and to help pay staff salaries.

“A little bit of funding goes a very long way in Nepal, and this clinic does a wonderful job for local people in this remote area,” Brigid said.
“If you are well enough to sign up, please show your support and enjoy a great day out with family and friends.”

Early Bird entries are still open – visit www.byronrun.com and celebrate your good health!

Byron Lighthouse Run Website

The Northern NSW Health Promotion Unit and North Coast Public Health have praised the success of the State’s extended smoking bans introduced in early 2013 to cover public places such as children’s playgrounds, public transport stops, sporting fields, public swimming pools and entrances to all public buildings.
Following a monitoring and targeted education program in the Northern Rivers, 38 key sites have since been monitored as part of a state-wide audit, with the smoking behaviour of several hundred people observed.

Some 18 cautionary notices were issued to smokers, mostly at bus stops, taxi ranks and entrances to buildings such as shopping malls. People found smoking in these areas may receive a fine of up to $500.

Butt bins were found to be situated within the no-smoking precincts of certain bus stops, taxi ranks and large buildings, and advice was issued for these to be relocated appropriately.

The Manager of the Northern NSW Health Promotion Unit, Jillian Adams said, “Together with the Commonwealth’s plain packaging legislation, this is an important health initiative to promote a healthy living environment and reduce the number of people who get exposed to others’ smoke in public places.

Second hand or environmental smoke is known to be harmful to health of those exposed to it and is especially harmful to children who might suffer respiratory conditions, including asthma. Babies exposed to smoke are significantly more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). These legislative changes act to make smoking in public less socially acceptable.”

For more information about the tobacco legislation and advice about the appropriate placement of signs and butt bins, please contact North Coast Public Health on 1300 066 055 during business hours.

For help with quitting call the NSW Quitline 24/7 on 137848 (13 QUIT), which also offers a free call back support service, or

I Can Quit Website

Sunday 7 July 2013 – Faulk’s Park, Kingscliff . Cycle events begin at 8.00am, registrations from 7.30 am. Media: 10.30 am on – interviews with Dr Mike Lindley-Jones, Medical Specialist, Tweed Shire Mayor Cr. Barry Longland, and local organ recipients.

It may not be as long or lucrative as the Tour de France, but the Kingscliff cycle ride will help promote the best cause in the world – saving human life.

To support organ donation awareness, Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is coordinating a community cycling event this Sunday 7 July. The aim is to remind the community of how important it is to know their loved one’s organ and tissue donation wishes.

Registration is at 7.30 am for the two cycle options – a 45 km ride through the countryside or a 5-7 km ride suitable for families or non-cyclists along a designated cycle path. Mid-way refreshments will be offered, and Kingscliff Rotary is running a BBQ at the finish. Road cyclists receive a complimentary DonateLife jersey, with a t-shirt for cycle path participants. The events start at 8.00 am.

“Many people aren’t aware that around 1 per cent of hospital deaths occur in specific circumstances where a person can be considered for organ donation,” said Donation Specialist/Medical, Dr Mike Lindley-Jones.

“However, many more people have the opportunity to become a tissue donor,” he added.

“When people become aware of this fact, the overwhelming majority (84 per cent) are more motivated to decide they would like to become an organ and tissue donor.

“The limited availability in Australia of donated organs for transplantation is why everyone needs to know their family members’ donation wishes. We need to make every effort to maximise the community’s access to life-transforming transplants.

“It’s a conversation that one day could save lives,” said Dr. Lindley-Jones.

Colleague and event coordinator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Organ and Tissue Donation, Mary Campbell, said, “Every family needs a clear idea of their relatives’ wishes because the family of every potential donor is always asked to confirm their loved one’s donation wishes before organ and/or tissue donation can proceed.”

77 per cent of Australians have talked about organ and tissue donation with their family 71 per cent of people believe that their family knows their donation wishes BUT only 56 per cent of Australians actually do know the donation wishes of their loved ones.

Awesome personal trainer and Sunday Telegraph columnist Commando Steve is heading to Lismore to host a bootcamp on Saturday 20 July and later that day to attend the Our Kids Winter Ball … and he needs to find a suitable dance partner.

The fitness superstar has offered himself as a date for the evening to the highest bidder. The lucky winner gets both Steve and a Ball ticket, if they don’t have one already. Local charity Our Kids gets what it hopes will be a sizeable donation.

Commando Steve’s super-intensive 90-minute bootcamp is arranged by local Nine12 Fitness Centre and will be held at Oakes Oval, at a cost of $190.00. Gates open from 8.00 am, with $5.00 entry fee for all spectators. Proceeds will go to Our Kids.

The Lismore event will include a meet and greet with the ex-Army legend as well as photo and autograph opportunities.

“Commando Steve’s reputation precedes him, and this is a great opportunity to train under his guidance,” said Jason Windsor, Nine12 co-owner.

Steve is one of the fittest athletes in world and has competed in the Crossfit Games. To have such a calibre of athlete in Lismore is a unique opportunity for those who love their training, and there’s the added boost of helping a great local charity,” Jason said.

In addition to Nine 12 Fitness Centre, generous sponsors for Commando Steve’s ‘Tour of Lismore’ are Northcoast Wholesale, Sailfish, Bank of Queensland, R. Gordon & Son Real Estate, Boost Juice, The Northern Star and Snap Fitness.

The Our Kids Winter Ball is at the Lismore Turf Club on July 20 with a 6.00 pm start and a Black Tie dress code. To bid for a ‘Date with the Commando’ head to www.ourkids.org.au or the Our Kids Facebook page. The highest bid will be seated next to Commando Steve at the Ball. Bids close 12 July at 5.00 pm.

“Even if you’re not up to the Commando Steve’s Bootcamp, accompanying him to the Ball is a great way to raise funds for Our Kids,” said the Northern Star’s Regional Product Sales Manager Heather Williams.
Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator Rebekka Battista added, “Having Commando Steve in Lismore is an amazing opportunity for people to get valuable fitness advice, or bring the family along to watch.”

Our Kids raises funds for Lismore Base Hospital’s Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery to buy equipment to help keep children local when needing medical care.

For more information or a photo opportunity please contact Rebekka Battista 0438 417 085 or Jason Windsor on 0406 328 879. Bootcamp bookings to Jason Windsor.

The cream of the many innovative health care projects developed locally over the past year have competed for honours in the annual Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Quality Awards. The projects represent the work of clinical teams in diverse settings, including hospitals, community health and specialised services such as mental health, dementia care and the management of hepatitis C.

Team finalists in the awards came from across the region – Tweed Heads, Lismore and Kyogle Hospitals, Mullumbimby Community Birthing Service, the LHD Drug & Alcohol and Donate Life teams, and other services. The finalists competed in categories that parallel those of the statewide NSW Health Innovation Awards.

The winners

Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services

“Excellence in Cognitive Screening of the Older Person” – Psychogeriatrics & Dementia, and Tweed Aged Care Assessment Team. This award winner also won the “best of the best” Overall Winner category, which was judged on the night.

Patients as Partners

“Allowing natural death – Development and evaluation of an innovative model for end of life care in a rural setting (Kyogle Community Health), and “Women with midwives with women – a publicly funded model of care offered by Mullumbimby Community Birthing Service” – joint winners.

Integrated Healthcare

“Hep C Matters” – HARM and HIV team, NNSWLHD Drug & Alcohol Service.

Healthy Living

“Patient Care Area Air Quality” – The Tweed Hospital.

Building Partnerships

“Community Health in Schools” – Paediatric Speech & Family Coordinator team, Tweed-Byron Network.

Collaborative Team

“Donate Life and give our people a second chance of life” – Organ & Tissue Donation, and Bugalwena Aboriginal Health Service.

NNSWLHD Board Chair Dr Brian Pezzutti said, “The range and quality of these projects indicates the NNSWLHD’s close involvement with the community’s health care needs at every level… from the designing of preventive health programs through to the delivery of acute and primary care services. The standard of the award entries are a great testament to our innovative and highly professional staff.”

International Nurses Day has been celebrated across the whole world in early May of each year since 1965 when the International Council of Nurses celebrated this day for the first time.

In London, every year a special service is arranged in Westminster Abbey and during this service, a special symbolic lamp is taken from the nurses, which represents the passing and recognition of knowledge sharing from one nurse to another.

In Australia, International Nurses Day is celebrated on 12th May – the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Special nursing ceremonies are conducted during this nursing week including Midwives Day, which is celebrated on the 5th May each year.

The theme for this year’s International Nurses Day is ‘Equity and Access to Health Care’ and International Midwives Day theme is ‘The World Needs Midwives More Than Ever Now’.

Chris Crawford, Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive said that having a dedicated day to recognise the Nurses and Midwives working in our Hospitals and Community Health facilities provides the Local Health District Executive the opportunity to extend its thanks to the valuable contribution our Nurses and Midwives provide.

Wendy Howell, Acting Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery said International Nurses Day is an important occasion as it highlights the diverse range of nursing services provided in a modern world.

As well as General Nurses there are Nurses who undertake further education and training to specialize in a particular field of nursing, such as midwifery, emergency medicine, orthopaedics, intensive care, pain management etc. We have Clinical Nurse Educators and Nurse Educators who assist in providing further training for existing nursing staff and Nurse Graduates when they come to work in hospital settings after completing their University degree,” Ms Howell said.

“We also have highly trained Nurse Practitioners, who have studied to attain Masters Level University degrees in a specialized field such as Dementia, Aged Care, Mental Health, Chronic and Complex Care,” said Ms Howell.

“As a result of their education, training and experience, Nurse Practitioners demonstrate a high level of clinical proficiency and carry out a range of procedures within the scope of their practice. This also includes the ability to prescribe medications and order and interpret specific diagnostic tests. They work in close collaboration with their medical, nursing and allied health colleagues.”

“Our Nursing Staff also include Community Nurses and Hospital in the Home Nurses who work in the community. Across the Local Health District our Nurses work hard to provide high level of nursing care, education and support to our community members. They also play a pivotal role in health promotion and the delivery of chronic disease management,” Ms Howell added.

Congratulations and thank you to all the Nurses for the significant contributions they make towards improving patient care in NNSWLHD Hospitals and across the whole community.

The Northern NSW Local Health District Board (LHD) has given its approval for a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed between the LHD and Southern Cross University (SCU) School of Health and Human Sciences.

Chris Crawford, Chief Executive said that over the past five years a partnership between the LHD Midwifery Directorate and the SCU School of Health and Human Sciences had evolved.

They are collaborating in the promotion of staff opportunities for education, research capacity and capabilities within both organisations.”

“This involves LHD Staff participating in the development of curriculum and LHD Clinicians are also teaching in the School’s programs and supporting students on placements,” Mr Crawford said.

“LHD staff participate in the selection process of academic Nursing and Midwifery Staff with the Head of the School of Health and Human Sciences.

A Collaborative Practice Unit is being established and a funding partnership for a joint educational appointment and a research assistant is occurring.”

“The Memorandum of Understanding will further strengthen and formalise the relationship between the NNSWLHD and SCU,” Mr Crawford ended.

Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee welcomed the agreement.

This is evidence of the valued partnership with the LHD. SCU is working towards tighter cooperation between clinicians, academics, research and teaching to improve the delivery of health care to the community,” Professor Lee said.

Professor Iain Graham, head of the School of Health and Human Sciences, said the Memorandum of Understanding formalised working arrangements which had been steadily developing over the past five years.

“We are working to increase clinician involvement and provide new opportunities for joint appointments as the School continues to grow and develop to meet the challenges of healthcare reform in Australia,” Professor Graham said.

The Lismore Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic celebrated 10 years of operation recently. The Clinic was officially opened on 17th March 2003 and has been supported by the world renowned Pain Management and Research Centre based at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.

In the 10 years since the opening of the Clinic, there has been increased awareness of chronic pain across the world with growing recognition of the debilitating effects of this condition.

Recently, five new regional Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinics were opened in New South Wales and the design of these Clinics is a replication of the Lismore service,” said David Beveridge, Nurse Practitioner.

“The Clinic has a Medical Specialist, Clinical Psychologist, Physiotherapists, Nurse Practitioner and Administration Staff,” Mr Beveridge said.

The Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic provides a service targeted towards assisting those with persisting or chronic pain and takes a self-management approach.

Treatment is focused on assisting patients to improve their level of function, decrease reliance on health services and re-engage in a higher quality of life.

Assessment and treatment of patients is from an interdisciplinary approach to managing pain. That is all the disciplines involved (Medical, Physiotherapy and Clinical Psychology) work together, treating Patients simultaneously, rather than working in parallel.

The approach to treatment taken by the Clinic is strongly based on the current scientific literature, with a robust, evidence-based approach. This has resulted in high level patient outcomes. This point was reiterated by the Patients of the Pain Service who attended the function,” Mr Beveridge advised.

Paul Le Bars is one of the patients who attends the Clinic and came to the afternoon tea celebration. He explained how debilitated he was with chronic pain for over 20 years prior to attending the three week Pain Clinic IMPACT program in 2008.

Patients are referred to the Pain Service by their General Practitioners and all undertake an extensive assessment. Following this, a treatment plan is generated with many of these Patients returning to undertake the intensive IMPACT program.

For more information about referrals please contact the service on 6620 7250 during office hours.

The Eighth Our Kids Day Out will be held this Sunday 5th May from 9.00am – 2.00pm at Missingham Bridge Amphitheatre in Ballina.

The day promises lots of fun for the whole family with a range of live entertainment including Newcastle Permanent, which is presenting the show ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’, as well there will be Ronald MacDonald, NBN Big Dog, Reptile Awareness and the Magical Clowns – to name just a few.

The Our Kids charity raises money for the Lismore Base Hospital Children’s Ward and for children from the broader Richmond Valley and further afield, so they can receive specialist medical care locally.

Lismore Base Hospital is the region’s major referral hospital and cares for more than 10,000 children a year in its Paediatric Unit, Special Care Nursery and Emergency Department.

This year Our Kids has again invited the Emergency Services – Fire Brigade, Ambulance, SES, and Police – to attend and display their equipment, including trucks, cars and boats, on a designated area at the park. Children can see and learn about the vital services that help keep the community safe and also people are rescued when in trouble.

Our Kids will be presenting the Children’s Ward Bravery Award which recognises the courage of a local family, who have a young daughter called Allie.

Allie Robinson has spent long and frequent periods of time as an inpatient in the Children’s ward at Lismore Base Hospital. Allie has been battling leukaemia and her family have been so courageous in caring for her.

Allie is currently having chemotherapy treatment and is doing really well. Staff in the Children’s Ward say she is truly an amazing and a brave little girl, even when receiving her treatment.

Allie is an inspiration and deserves to be centre stage at the Our Kids Day Out celebration,” said Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator, Rebekka Battista.

“Our Kids Day Out provides families with the opportunity to enjoy free entertainment a chance to take the kids to meet the local Emergency Services. So bring the family, a picnic blanket and enjoy a fun filled day,” Rebekka added.

Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) in collaboration with North Coast Medicare Local has launched the Aged Care in Emergency (ACE) Program.

Wayne Jones, Acting Executive Director of the Richmond Clarence Health Service Group said, “The ACE Program is currently being rolled out across selected public hospitals in NSW.”

ACE is a model of care specifically aimed to improve the management of residents from Residential Aged Care Facilities when they become acutely unwell, by providing support and care in their own place of residence and efficient flow through the Emergency Department (ED), if a presentation is required,” Mr Jones said.

“Isla Attewell and Kathleen Shaw, Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNC) – ACE Program, are excited about the potential for the Program to prevent unnecessary presentations of aged care residents to the ED,” said Wayne Jones.

“During the planning and implementation of the Program, Isla and Kathleen have been working closely with Residential Aged Care Facilities, General Practitioners (GP), Medicare Local, Emergency and Aged Care Specialists with the shared goal of benefiting our residents/patients.”

“Staff in the Residential Aged Care Facilities have been trained in the use of standard guidelines that relate to common problems experienced by residents. The Staff will refer to the guideline, where appropriate and make contact with the ACE Clinical Nurse Consultant by phone for support.”

“If the resident requires transfer to the ED, the CNC will do their best to make sure care is expedited through the ED, so the resident is able to return home or be admitted to the Hospital in a timely fashion,” Mr Jones said.

Chris Gavaghan, Medical Director, LBH ED said, “Each year in excess of 200 residents present to the ED for assessment and management of common health problems.”

“ACE, in conjunction with the resident’s GP, will support residents to receive the care they need in their home and avoid an unnecessary trip to Emergency,” said Dr Gavaghan.

Marilyn Jolley, Acting Regional Director of UnitedCare Ageing, North Coast Region acknowledged that UnitedCare were proud to be part of this exciting partnership.

Ms Jolley said, “This kind of networking and engagement with GPs, Medicare Local and NNSWLHD to provide acute care for residents in their own environment will greatly reduce the stress and anxiety often experienced when residents fall ill, enhance recovery times, and optimise wellness for people in our care.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is urging people to monitor their alcohol consumption over this Easter long weekend.

“Alcohol abuse is a significant cause of health and social problems in the community and unfortunately, Byron Bay has been identified as one of the worst areas in the State for excessive drinking and violence” said Richard Buss, Executive Director of Mental Health and Drug & Alcohol.

Authorities are expecting an influx of visitors to the region over Easter with people taking advantage of the four day holiday and a range of events such as the East Coast Blues Festival near Byron Bay.

Doctors and nurses who work in the Byron District Hospital Emergency Department are concerned they’ll see an increase in the number of presentations as a result of drunkenness and violence occurring in the streets of Byron Bay.

The Easter long weekend is a peak time for acute alcohol intoxication. Sadly this can often result in people unnecessarily ending up in hospital. Over one in five (22%) of all hospitalizations of young people aged 15-24 years old are alcohol related.

We don’t want people to stop enjoying themselves, but we want them to be aware of the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption and the dangers of mixing alcohol with highly caffeinated beverages,” Mr Buss said.

“People should carefully consider their consumption and the potential harms to themselves or others.”

NNSWLHD is also warning Festival goers in particular, against the dangers of mixing alcohol with highly caffeinated energy drinks.

“Research indicates this combination can mask the effects of intoxication which can lead to increased alcohol consumption, even to dangerous levels,” Mr Buss said.

“The stimulants in energy drinks affect an individual’s perception of how much alcohol they have actually consumed and create an illusion of lower intoxication.”

Experts advise people to set limits and stick to them and have a “Plan B” in place, if you are intending to drink then make sure you, organise a designated driver.

The effects of alcohol differ from person to person, depending on: how much you drink

how quickly you drink your size and weight whether you are male or female how good your general health is how healthy your liver is where you drink whether you drink alone whether you use alcohol with other drugs

Emergency Departments are also braced for a potential increase in trauma patients, as a result of increased road traffic over the long weekend.

“We’d like everyone to have a safe and happy Easter and not end up in hospital unnecessarily.”

Information on alcohol consumption can be found at:

www.nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about/drug-alcohol-services/

www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/alcohol.html

What are highly caffeinated energy drinks?

Highly caffeinated energy drinks are soft drinks which contain a range of stimulants to boost energy levels. The central ingredient is usually caffeine, together with other stimulants including guarana, acai, taurine, ginseng and vitamin B. Energy drinks typically contain high levels of sugar, or are produced as artificially-sweetened ‘diet’ versions. The amount of caffeine contained in energy drinks as well as other substances has raised concerns about their potential health risks, particularly when they are used in combination with alcohol.

When kids go back to school we’re back to the lunchbox routine, a routine that often resembles a pitched battle!

“It’s boring”, “There’s nothing to pack”, “Why can’t I have a bag of chips?” are common squawks from our much loved nestlings.

Anna Huddy, Healthy Children’s Initiative Coordinator from Northern NSW Local Health District, has a couple of ideas that might tone down the peeping.

“First, keep it cool and not just with an ice brick,” Anna Huddy said.

You need to have a clear idea in your head of what’s going to happen and you’ll be ready to counter the building pressure to pack rubbish.”

Anna suggests the following the Lunchbox Rules are as easy as 1 + 2 + 3 + water.

One – Pack a sandwich, wrap, roll or leftover.

Sandwiches can be boring – liven it up with different types of breads, rolls and wraps that can be stored in the freezer. Vary the fillings with cold meat, cheese, egg, lettuce, grated carrot, coleslaw or other salads. Or pack leftovers like fried rice or pasta salad.

Two – Put in a vegetable or fruit snack.

Produce in season is cheaper and at its peak. Fresh or canned, whole or pieces of carrot, snow peas, strawberries or apple, it doesn’t matter as long as they are getting some fruit and vegetables. Use small plastic containers for cut up fruit or salad.

Three – Add a couple of healthy snacks.

Variety and interest can be created with snacks like popcorn, low fat fruit yoghurt, a cheese slice and plain biscuits, or go all out with a small sushi or banana bread.

Just keep humming 1 + 2 + 3 + water and it will all fall into place and into the lunchbox!

Across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) a total of 62 First Year new graduate nurses and midwives will be working in our hospitals.

Chris Crawford, Chief Executive said, “We are very pleased to welcome the new graduate nurses and midwives, who have chosen to take a rural placement and work in our hospitals.”

Nurses and Midwives are an indispensable part of the health system and are central to the care of our patients in both the hospital and community setting,” Mr Crawford added.

The Tweed Byron Health Service Group has 32 new graduate nurses and midwives. This year four will work in the Mental Health Service while the other 29 will work across The Tweed, Murwillumbah District, Byron District and Mullumbimby & District Memorial Hospitals.

Annette Symes, NNSWLHD Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery said “Nurses and Midwives are a vital part of the health system, who deliver a high level of care in a range of situations, which are often challenging.”

“Our Clinical Nurse Educators and Ward based Staff who mentor nursing graduates play an essential role in orientating the new graduate nurses and midwives to the hospital environment.

“These new nursing and midwifery positions provide opportunities for talented young health professionals to learn and grow as well as strengthening our health system.”

“It is hoped that these nurses and midwives will enjoy their experience working in a rural setting and decide to stay, or consider returning to the area in the future,” said Ms Symes.

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is inviting interested members of the Community, Consumers and Carers to become part of a Mental Health Forum.

The Forum will also consider other ways of improving how Mental Health Services involves Consumers and Carers in its service development.

A Consumer is someone with mental health issues, who uses public or private Mental Health Services. A Carer is someone who provides support to that person. A Carer can be a family member, partner, friend or neighbour.

The Forum will meet bimonthly and provide input into strategic planning, review draft and existing policies and procedures, as well as consult on action plans arising from surveys that are undertaken.

Anyone interested in being a member of the Forum will be asked to complete an application form. Applications close 5 April 2013.

For further information or to request an application form, please email or call:

Heidi Keevers, Mental Health Consumer Partnerships Coordinator

02 66294 088 Heidi.Keevers@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Mim Weber, Mental Health Program Coordinator

02 66202 629 Mim.Weber@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Lennox Head woman Chelsea Coleman (a diabetic), was attending an appointment at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) for a test to see how her baby was going however, within 1 ½ hours of the test she was in the operating room having a caesarean.

Baby Will Coleman Hay was delivered prematurely at 34 weeks and weighed only 345 grams, which meant he was admitted to the LBH Special Care Nursery.

After being discharge from LBH, Chelsea and her husband Andrew were travelling daily from Lennox Head to be with William so he could continue to be breastfed. They found the round trip was becoming very long each day.

The Staff in the Special Care Nursery told us about Our House so we had a look and found it was perfect for us to stay in while William was in the Special Care Nursery,” Chelsea said.

“Our House is a 20 unit accommodation situated directly across from the LBH. It made a huge difference to us not having to travel back and forward from Lennox Head each day to be near to William,” said Chelsea.

“Our House was opened in December last year after funding was received from the Federal and State Governments, Cancer Council and the local community who were extraordinarily generous,” said Rebekka Battista, Our House Director.

“Our House was built to provide accommodation for cancer patients and their families as well as for families, who have babies in the Special Care Nursery or children in the Paediatric Ward of LBH while receiving treatment,” Rebekka Battista said.

“Our House was perfect for our family. We had our own room and were able to cook in the communal kitchen and importantly, it enabled us to go back and forth to the hospital to see William. It provided us with all our needs during a difficult time in our lives,” said Chelsea.

“Thank you to the Staff of the Special Care Nursery for their care of William and to Ruth and the Our House Team for being so helpful during our stay” Chelsea added.

Chris Crawford, Chief Executive of the Northern NSW Local Health District said he is pleased to welcome Dr Alison Semmonds, a Geriatrician, who has recently been appointed as a Staff Specialist at the Lismore Base Hospital (LBH).

“Dr Simmonds will be working with Dr Hugh Fairfull-Smith, who is now working fulltime at LBH where he is providing more geriatric services. Dr Fairfull-Smith previously worked in the Rehabilitation Service at Ballina District Hospital for over 25 years,” Mr Crawford said.

Dr Semmonds will hold Clinics at LBH and Ballina Hospital, and will also provide an outreach service across the Richmond Network,” Mr Crawford said.

Prior to moving to the North Coast Dr Semmonds worked as a Geriatrician and General Physician in a large teaching hospital and before then, she worked for three years in rural NSW prior to undertaking her specialist training in Sydney.

Dr Semmonds said her interests encompass all aspects of aged care and she is looking forward to meeting and helping to care for elderly Richmond Network patients.

“There is strong demand for consultations with a Geriatrician and I am looking forward to seeing patients as promptly as possible. I will work with the community aged care workers so we can work together to give high quality care to our patients,” Dr Semmonds said.

In April Dr Semmonds will travel to Cambodia with International Child Care Australia to do medical clinics in rural villages with a team of nurses and volunteers including her partner Col McKenzie a local landscape designer.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) supports DonateLife Week 2013, Australia’s national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation by holding several events during the week.

Today in Lismore under the Organ and Tissue Banner in Carrington Street a young child, who has received a transplant highlights just how important the gift of life means after receiving a transplant.

Dr Mike Lindley Jones, NNSWLHD Medical Specialist said, “Many people aren’t aware that around 1% of hospital deaths occur in specific circumstances where a person can be considered for organ donation, although many more have the opportunity to become a tissue donor.”

When people become aware of this fact, the overwhelming majority (84%) are more motivated to decide they would like to become an organ and tissue donor.

The rarity of the possibility of organ donation for transplantation is why every Australian needs to ensure their family members know their donation wishes, so that we can optimize every opportunity for Australians to have access to life-transforming transplants,” Dr Lindley-Jones said.

“To make every wish count, every Australian family needs to know each other’s wishes. This is because in Australia the family of every potential donor is always asked to confirm the donation wishes of their loved one before organ and/or tissue donation can proceed.

We are urging all Australians to take time during DonateLife Week to discover, decide and discuss organ and tissue donation so that your family can make your wish count should they ever be asked to confirm your donation wish,” Dr Lindley-Jones said.

Although 77% of Australians have now talked about organ and tissue donation with their family, and 71% of people believe that their family knows their donation wishes, only 56% of Australians say that they know the donation wishes of their loved ones. This highlights the need for all Australians to remind their family members’ about their donation wishes as well as to ask and know the wishes of family members.

“Any day this week is a good day to have the conversation with your family and close friends. It’s a conversation that will help you be prepared, should you ever be asked to confirm a loved one’s donation wishes. It will also help your family be prepared should they ever be asked to confirm your wishes. It’s a conversation that could one day save lives.”

“Some Australians find it difficult to bring up the subject of organ and tissue donation with family members. Deciding to have the discussion during DonateLife Week can help normalize the subject and make it OK to talk about”, said Dr Lindley-Jones.

DonateLife Week is Australia’s national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation. It is led by the Organ and Tissue Authority as part of the national DonateLife campaign and supported by community events and activities across Australia.

For more information: www.donatelife.gov.au

Over the past week new Interns have been kept busy with a full orientation program to the hospital. The new graduates from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have chosen to work at The Tweed Hospital.

The Doctors are now assigned to work for a term in the Emergency Department, Medical and Surgical, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatric and Orthopaedic Wards and Operating Theatres, where they will gain experience in all of these areas.

Dr Pieter Pike, Director of Medical Services for Tweed, Byron and Mullumbimby said, this year there are sixteen Interns, eleven of whom were successful in applying to undertake the Prevocational Rural Preferential Training Program in Tweed. This is an increase from six in 2012.

It is hoped that these Doctors will enjoy their experience working in a rural setting and decide to stay, or consider returning to the area in the future,” Dr Pike said.

Dr Deky Souvannavong, Director of Medical Services for Murwillumbah Hospital and Deputy Director Tweed Byron Health Service Group said the Program has been very successful saying that five out of six from last year’s Rural Preferential Doctors have stayed on to work at the Tweed Hospital.

The Rural Preferential Program provides Doctors with a real opportunity to experience all the North Coast has to offer. It is a beautiful area to live in and has a growing population, so there are a lot of work prospects for these Doctors.

North Coast Public Health Unit is reminding residents and visitors to the North Coast to protect themselves against mosquitoes, which are increasing in numbers as floodwaters recede.

“Mosquito numbers normally increase in summer but tend to become more of an issue after flooding, when there is water lying around and weather warms up” said Tony Kohlenberg, Senior Environmental Health Officer.

The heavy rains and flooding of recent weeks has produced more mosquito breeding sites and a greater risk of being bitten.”

“Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are common on the north coast and are transmitted by infected mosquitoes that breed in flooded, grassy and swampy areas and around waterways,” said Tony Kohlenberg.

On average, in each year over the past decade, about 500 people living on the NSW north coast were diagnosed with either Ross River virus or Barmah Forest virus – in equal numbers (around 250 cases of each are reported on average each year.)

Compared to the NSW average, people living on north coast are five to eight times more likely to be infected with Barmah Forest virus and three to five times more likely to be infected with Ross River virus.

Simple steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes include:

• When outside cover up as much as possible with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear.
• Use an effective repellent on all exposed skin. Re-apply repellent within a few hours, as protection wears off with perspiration. The best mosquito repellents contain Diethyl Toluamide (DEET) or Picaridin.
• Light mosquito coils or use vapourising mats indoors. Devices that use light to attract and electrocute insects are not effective.
• Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens.
• When camping, use flyscreens on caravans and tents or sleep under mosquito nets.

“Preventing these viruses depends on avoiding mosquito bites, especially in the warmer months of the year when mosquitoes are most active,” Mr Kohlenberg said.

This year the Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge is on Sunday 3rd March 2013 at Mortimer Oval.

The Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge is a team event, where four people in each team will complete 8 gruelling challenges that include strength activities, running, swimming and an outdoor obstacle course. The fittest team will take home the Samson Title.

The Challenge this year is to raise funds for Our Kids to purchase a Humidicrib for the Lismore Base Hospital Special Care Nursery, which cares for one third of the babies born in the Northern Rivers.

“Our Kids has already raised $15,000 from the community, including generous donations from Woolworths, the Rotary Club of Alstonville and the Charcoal Inn Charity Club. Our aim is to raise the balance from the Samson Challenge Event,” said Rebekka Battista, Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator.

The event is based on Mortimer Oval and involves competitors running through the streets of Lismore down to the Memorial Baths for the swim leg, then a run back to the oval where competitors will complete the last two fitness legs.”

Each team will need to complete 8 legs: Sandbag carry, a Truck tyre flip, Prowler Push, 3.5km Run, a Swim in relay fashion, 3.5km run back to the oval, stationary rower and an outdoor obstacle course. Each team member must finish each leg before the team moves onto the next leg, and the fastest team who finishes the course will take home the Samson title.

“It a great event for those who are into fitness and like a challenge” Rebekka Battista said.

“There are many people in Lismore who enjoy keeping fit and this event is a way to put your body to the test while at the same time, help support local children at Lismore Base Hospital.”

“Involving fitness people throughout the area to compete against each other is a wonderful way the fitness world can get behind a local charity” said Julie Speidel from GSAC, whose team won the Samson Title Last year.

“I know there’s been some training going on lately across the Northern Rivers and the Samson Challenge is a great way to focus people’s training and help others at the same time” Julie said.

North Coast Public Health Unit is reminding people that from a street drain to a raging river, all flood waters should be considered contaminated.

“To avoid illness from potentially contaminated flood waters, it is important to wash hands with soap and clean water after participating in any flood clean-up activities, and before eating or handling food,” said Greg Bell, Acting Director of Public Health.

First aid should be applied immediately to any scratches or cuts to reduce chances of infection.”

“It is best to avoid all unnecessary contact with mud and floodwaters and to keep children out of flood affected areas,” Mr Bell said.

Other tips for staying healthy during floods and while cleaning up are:

Wear gloves and suitable foot wear when removing mud or debris from homes or yards. Yards can be raked to remove debris and if necessary, hosed down. Don’t try to check electrical appliances and other equipment yourself, seek professional help. Have septic tanks or pipes professionally inspected or serviced if you suspect damage.

Residents and visitors are also reminded to avoid swimming in the ocean, rivers, creeks and lagoons for at least 3 days after the rain has stopped.

“If people are concerned about their health they should first seek advice from their General Practitioner”, Mr Bell said.

• Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, use roll-on insect repellent on exposed skin and apply every few hours.
• To avoid creating mosquito breeding sites in your yard by emptying out pot plant bases and removing all water-holding rubbish.
• When cleaning up, consider your personal health, drink plenty of clear fluids.  Do not wait until you are thirsty. Take breaks when you can, watch out for heat stress.