Whether you’re staying put or travelling over the Christmas break, keeping in good health will help you to get the most out of the festive season, particularly if you have an ongoing health condition.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) and North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) are joining forces to encourage North Coast residents to have a healthy holiday season with some simple preparations.

“Making sure you have an up-to-date medication list is a great first step, even if you’re not going away over Christmas,” NNSWLHD Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, said.

“Check this with your doctor or pharmacist and remove any medications you are no longer taking.”

You can carry this list with you if you go on holidays, use a smartphone app (e.g. Medicinewise) or save the list in your online My Health Record.

My Health Record is an online record of your important health information. Once you set up your record, you can access it from anywhere in Australia or overseas.

“Your My Health Record is a great way to be able to access vital information about yourself if you become unwell or have to visit an emergency department. When you get home your regular doctor will be able to see a summary of care you’ve had while being away,” Mr Jones said.

Anyone with an ongoing health problem should ask their regular doctor for a Sick Day Action Plan. This can help you recognise early if your symptoms are getting worse and take action.

It could mean that you avoid having to go to the Emergency Department while on your holiday or during the break when your usual doctor’s practice may be closed.

“Many GPs in the region go on holidays too and it can be hard to get an appointment during the holiday period, but planning ahead will help you ensure you have the medications you’ll need,” NCPHN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vahid Saberi, said.

“Residents and visitors can also use the online symptom checker on the Healthdirect website, www.healthdirect.gov.au/ to help manage illnesses at home and alert them when they need to seek medical attention more urgently,” Dr Saberi said.

“The site can also help you locate a GP or Pharmacy that is open.”

North Coast Primary Health Network has been reminding general practices and pharmacies to update their opening hours on their answering machines and with the National Health Services Directory.

Outside business hours, north coast residents and visitors can access the HealthDirect after-hours helpline to speak to a health professional, on 1800 022 222.

To register on line for a My Health Record visit: https://myhealthrecord.gov.au

For information on how to manage in extreme heat, head to www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20171214_00.aspx

For more tips on how to take charge of your health and health records, visit http://healthliteracy.nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/

Image: Lennox Head-Alstonville Surf Lifesaving Club Patrol 1 crew.

The success of the Ballina Food and Wine Festival has meant patients at Lismore’s North Coast Cancer Institute – Cancer Care and Haematology Unit will now be blessed with warm cosy blankets.

Festival organisers, the Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary Club, have donated $4,000 towards the purchase of a blanket warmer for the unit, to help patients having radiation therapy stay warm during treatment sessions.

“The Lismore Cancer Care and Haematology Unit was one of the organisations to benefit from our festival this year, and we’re delighted we could make such a meaningful contribution,” Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary Club president, Donella Kinnish, said.

“The major beneficiary of this year’s Festival was community radio station, Paradise FM, but each year we also support a number of other charities and organisations.”

As an active Rotarian, NCCI Radiation therapist Andrea Laszczyk has been able to combine her passion for community service with her dedication to her work in helping fundraise for the blanket warmer. She knows first-hand the difference these blankets will make to the patients she treats.

“Patients receiving radiation therapy often need to have some part of their body exposed during the set-up and delivery of the treatment. A warm blanket can make all the difference during this time to keep people comfortable,” Andrea said.

Andrea will soon travel with Rotary to Kathmandu, Nepal, to build a house and provide building equipment, educational resources and hygiene supplies for residents affected by the 2015 earthquake.

More than 550 patients undergo radiation therapy at NCCI each year through the public outpatient service.

First opened in 2010, the unit has been providing treatment options for an increasing range of cancers using complex treatment techniques and reducing the need for patients to travel to Queensland for radiation therapy.

Retro food and fashion was brought back to life at the North Coast Cancer Institute – Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (NCCI) yesterday in celebration of World Radiography Day.

Staff in the Radiation Oncology unit donned retro revival outfits, and dined on Scotch eggs, cocktail onions and bombe Alaska to honour to the birth of technical innovations which are still delivering results for patients today, and to celebrate the work of radiation therapists across the world.

NCCI employs 18 radiation therapists, who range from graduate placements to highly experienced therapists with world-wide expertise.

Richard Ford is a senior radiation therapist who trained in Canada and worked overseas and in Western Australia before moving to Lismore to work at NCCI 4 years ago.

Richard has been in the field of radiation therapy for 15 years and says he enjoys developing great relationships with patients during their treatment period, as well as the flexibility to travel the world working in different places.

“The best thing for me has been the patient interaction. I love the technical side of things but if I had a choice, I prefer the hands on patient interaction over the technical side,” Richard said.

“I’ve always worked in big cities, so it was nice to come to a regional centre. I’m enjoying a more rural lifestyle, and we’re so close to the ocean and to brilliant cities, it’s an absolutely fantastic place to live.”

Radiation therapists work as part of a multidisciplinary team in radiation oncology units, and use medical imaging equipment and computer software to help ensure patients receive effective doses of radiation at the site of a tumour, while minimising the radiation exposure to healthy surrounding tissue.

Radiation therapists complete a four-year university degree, with training placements in the final year. NCCI radiation therapist tutor, Kath Dower, trains students throughout the year as well as delivering treatment to patients and conducting research. She has been with the centre since its construction days, and enjoys the variety her role provides.

“I enjoy getting to know patients and helping them to get better, and I also love teaching students and new graduates,” Kath said.

The volunteers at the heart of the Nimbin Multi-Purpose Service have been celebrated today with a morning tea recognising 70 years of service.

Staff of the Nimbin MPS honoured the women and men of the Nimbin Hospital Auxiliary, and thanked them for their contributions and tireless work to improve the lives of patients and aged care residents at the service.

The Auxiliary punches well above its weight, raising a substantial amount of money from its small membership base. At present there are only around 15 active members, and 29 members in total.

In 2016-17 financial year, the Auxiliary raised $26,851 and during that year it gifted the Nimbin MPS with over $33,000 worth of medical equipment and furnishings.

“It’s a pleasure to mix with people wanting to give back to their community, and so inspiring to see all the effort our members put in,” Nimbin Hospital Auxiliary President, Robyn Roos, said.

During the last 10 years, the Auxiliary has donated $90,650 in items to benefit Nimbin patients.

“On behalf of the Nimbin staff and management, I sincerely thank the Nimbin Auxiliary for their tireless work,” Executive Officer/ Director of Nursing MPS Network, Nancy Martin, said.

“Their generosity is evident in the state-of-the-art lifting machine, the lovely new aged care furnishings and practical items like pressure-relieving mattresses they have generously provided to the facility. We celebrate their 70th Birthday and look forward to 70 more years of enthusiastic and selfless dedication by the members.”

There are few historical records remaining from the Auxiliary’s early days, but the story goes that the Auxiliary was formed out of a public meeting called by the Nimbin District Memorial Hospital Board in August 1947.T

In an Australian first, experts from health and aviation have combined their wisdom to deliver an exciting initiative designed to enhance patient safety.

The first-ever Advanced Emergency Performance Training (ADEPT) workshop was held at the University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore over the weekend, with local nurses and doctors seizing the opportunity to advance their teamwork and communication skills.

International Pilots Michael Aspinall and Anthony Lock teamed up with Dr Charlotte Hall and Dr Dean Robertson to create the ground breaking “Human Factors” training workshop.

Dr Hall said the weekend’s workshop was a success, with participants learning valuable skills to improve their performance in complex emergencies.

“We were blown away by the positive feedback from workshop participants at the end of this weekend’s course,” Dr Hall said.

 

“They arrived with few expectations but left with an armful of ideas and skills that they said will change how they practice from now on.”

This course is the first of its kind for health workers in Australia, and has been accredited by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

The workshop also showcased the Emergency Protocols quick reference guide that was developed by Dr Dean Robertson from Maclean District Hospital and Dr Charlotte Hall from Lismore Base Hospital.

After receiving endorsement from the Emergency Care Institute within the Agency for Clinical Innovation, this Emergency Protocols quick reference guide is now available to staff in all Emergency Departments across NSW.

The course will be run again in Lismore in 2018.

When Carol Lockhart’s mother died of breast cancer, she was advised to have annual mammograms. It was 1992 and an advertising campaign was running suggesting women give themselves a birthday present each year by booking a mammogram.

That’s what Carol had been doing for almost 20 years, when she unexpectedly received a call-back to the Lismore BreastScreen site in 2011, aged 60.

“Most women went in, came out smiling and went home,” Carol said. “I thought it would be the same for me.”

Carol was diagnosed with two malignant carcinomas in the left breast in August 2011, and within two months had had a mastectomy.

Over the following two years Carol underwent chemotherapy, bone scans, heart tests and 26 sessions of radiation therapy in Lismore.

Lismore Base Hospital Visiting Medical Officer, Dr Sue Velovski is the surgeon who performed Carol’s mastectomy at St Vincent’s Hospital.

“When I first met Carol I let her talk and talk, and out flowed a life story, history of breast cancer in the family, fears and concerns,” Dr Velovski said.

 

“Fortunately, Carol accepted the advice of her treating team and had great support from her GP, Dr Carl Currie, something a lot of patients just don’t get in the city. She walked her path and I saw her fears decline as she jumped each hurdle.”

Carol documented her treatment and recovery through regular emails she sent to her close family and friends after each treatment session. The aim was to relieve her husband, Charlie, of having to recount Carol’s latest treatment to everyone who phoned, but after two years, Carol had also documented her entire journey without even realising it.

“My surgeon is still trying to get me to write a book,” Carol said.

Today, Carol is full of gratitude for the clinicians and staff who guided her through what was a very distressing time. The personalised care from staff at the North Coast Cancer Institute- Cancer Care and Haematology Unit, St Vincent’s Hospital, and a wonderful breast care nurse, made her feel as though her situation was unique and important.

“The feeling of being part of a team is amazing,” Carol said.

Breast cancer patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians working together across the Northern Rivers. Through weekly meetings, cases just like Carol’s are reviewed and discussed, with the team cross-referencing their expertise to provide the best treatment plan for each patient.

“I’m not sure if people are aware of the fantastic services we have in Lismore,” she said. “We have no idea how lucky we are.”

Since Carol’s diagnosis in 2011, advances in breast cancer treatments have brought new diagnostic methods and treatment options, which are now being used by the staff at NCCI.

These include Deep Inspiration breath hold (DIBH), a specific approach used to treat young women to reduce the radiation dose to the heart during radiation therapy.

NCCI has also acquired a prone breast board by donation from the Byron Lighthouse Run that also helps target localisation and reduces treatment side effects for women.

This month, the Casino grandmother had her annual check-up, and showed no signs of the cancer, 6 years to the month after her first operation. She wouldn’t necessarily go back and change anything.

“I have been given a gift that I have found out what is important in life – a beautiful family, three grandchildren and wonderful friends.”

Around 240 delegates converged on Tweed Heads over the past two days, for the 84th Annual State Conference of the United Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA).

Auxiliary members from all over NSW came together to hear from key speakers, to network and celebrate the great contribution their many hours of volunteering and fundraising make to hospitals throughout the state.

In the 2016/17 financial year alone, the NSW UHA donated over $5.5 million worth of items to their local hospitals, and the volunteer hours worked amounted to the equivalent of 540 full time staff.

Tweed Heads Auxiliary President Annette Alexander said hosting the conference in this region was a wonderful experience for her and her branch.

“It was hard work, however the hard work has been worth it, and it’s been great to welcome the wonderful members of the UHA,” Annette said.

 

“All the Tweed members enjoyed assisting with the hosting of the Conference.”

The Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah Auxiliaries started their campaign to secure the conference in the Tweed region around 4 years ago, with the conference being held in a regional location every second year.

“The Tweed UHA worked so hard for this conference, with the help of the Murwillumbah UHA and their president Val Foster,” Tweed Heads Auxiliary Treasurer and Deputy North Coast Regional Representative, Jennifer McKellar, said.

“It’s absolutely fabulous for our members, and although we have 140 members, they don’t always have the opportunity to go to a state conference.”

UHA Patron, Linda Hurley captivated the crowd on Thursday performing a song written specially for the event.

10 members were honoured with Life Membership at the conference, including Byron Bay Hospital Auxiliary President Mollie Strong and Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary Vice President Joan McKenzie.

An historic milestone was celebrated this week at a lunch recognising 100 years of volunteer service by the Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary.

The celebrations at Summerland House, Alstonville, honoured past and present members who have contributed to the health service in Lismore and improved the lives of countless patients over the last 100 years.

“Words cannot express how fortunate we are to have such a vibrant and hard-working Auxiliary serving the Lismore Base Hospital. Through their tireless efforts, we are able to continually improve the care we provide to patients in this region,” General Manager, Richmond Clarence Health Service Group, Lynne Weir, said.

“On behalf of all our staff and management, I wish to congratulate the Auxiliary on this wonderful achievement, and thank them for their commitment throughout the last 100 years.”

Throughout that time, the Lismore UHA has raised an estimated $1.5 Million for the hospital, purchasing items ranging from pianos to children’s toys, to vascular ultrasound machines, to pacemakers.

In the early years of the 20th century, an initial group of volunteers formed a sewing class to attend to mending and making hospital linen and night clothes for the Lismore hospital, and to raise funds through holding a tea tent at the agricultural show. The group soon formed into a Ladies’ Guild, with monthly meetings in members’ homes to organise fundraisers such as the tea tent, flower shows, sweets stalls and dances.

In 1934 the members attended the first Regional Conference in Grafton, and later that year were renamed as the Lismore District Base Hospital Women’s Auxiliary.

From the mid-1940s, Auxiliary members assisted with the preliminary nursing training school, supervising exams, giving prizes to the top students and providing floral arrangements for graduation ceremonies.

In 1982, “Women’s” was dropped from the Auxiliary’s name, in recognition of the many men who were joining with their wives.

The Auxiliary has continued to benefit patients in the Lismore region, through fundraising from raffles, the annual show tea tent and shop, street stalls in Lismore, charity days at Lismore Square and running the coffee shop in the foyer of the base hospital for many years.

With a permanent shop front in the foyer of Lismore Base Hospital, and a healthy membership of around 40, the Auxiliary is poised to continue this great work for many years into the future.

For four-year-old Ashley James, a simple vision screening at his preschool may have proved life changing.

Ashley was diagnosed with amblyopia, or lazy eye, in his left eye, after a routine screening by the Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) program at his Dunoon preschool earlier this year.

Thursday, 12 October is World Sight Day, and a great reminder to keep an eye out for vision screening programs in your area.

“We had no idea that Ashley had any vision issues, partly because of the nature of his condition which is in his left eye. He’s got good vision in his right eye and no-one had picked up that he had any problem,” Ashley’s mother, Emma Pittaway, said.

“Because he’s only four, there is a window of opportunity to somewhat correct the amblyopia. If we hadn’t known about it, he could have gone on through primary school before it was detected and it would have been too late to change any of it.”

After the initial screening by a specially trained nurse, Ashley was referred to an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, who prescribed glasses and patch therapy to correct the condition. The experts both agreed that without treatment, Ashley may have possibly eventually lost all vision in his left eye.

“We were really shocked, and so were his preschool teachers, when the screening came back showing there was a problem. We’re really grateful that the program is in place to pick up this kind of issue,” Emma said.

The StEPS program offers free vision screening to all four-year-old children before they start school, and is routinely delivered through preschools and childcare centres.

“Vision screening is essential at this age because it is a critical development period, and the earlier we’re able to detect a problem, the more likely it is that we’re able to correct it,” explained Jennifer McKay, StEPS Program Coordinator, Northern NSW Local Health District.

“Children are particularly at risk of suffering from undetected vision problems because they may not realise they can’t see well, and may not complain of eye problems,” Ms McKay said.

Ms McKay encouraged parents to look out for the program when it comes to their child’s centre, and to complete the consent form to have their child screened.

Parents of children who aren’t attending preschool can also arrange for an individual screening at local Community Health Centres by phoning the StEPS office on 02 6620 2836.

Atrauma app developed in NSW recently won the Public Sector and Government Market Division at the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) National iAwards in Melbourne.

A highly-skilled team of staff and clinicians from NSW Health, lead by NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM) and including Lismore-based Emergency Physician, Dr Yashvi Wimalasena, designed the Trauma App to provide trauma clinicians with real time clinical guidance and information including flight and drive times to NSW hospitals, hospital blood stores, and specialty capabilities of NSW health facilities.

The iAwards are the biggest innovation and technology awards in Australia, attracting hundreds of entries for the state-wide and national competition, including from well-known large governmental and private institutions and companies.

The Trauma App contains specialised medical calculators, guidelines, and checklists from NSW trauma hospitals and speciality services as well as pre-hospital and retrieval providers.

The pre-hospital component of the app was the brainchild of Dr Wimalasena and two fellow Retrieval Specialists in the Greater Sydney Area Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (GSA HEMS), Dr Karel Habig, and Dr Cliff Reid.

“Winning this award was very exciting as it was the culmination of many years of hard graft,” Dr Wimalasena said.

This award recognises the collaborative effort of numerous NSW Health agencies, clinicians and staff, including statewide trauma and burns services, ambulance, retrieval, pathology services, and specialist trauma centres across the state.

“The NSW Trauma App is a breakthrough innovation to support clinicians in caring for their trauma patients and ensuring they are able to meet each patient’s specific needs.”

Through the app, clinicians can locate blood products to provide appropriate blood transfusions to critically injured patients prior to admission to hospital, something that was previously only available once patients reached hospital.

ITIM’s Clinical Director, Dr Michael Dinh, said evidence suggests modern, interactive decision-support tools, such as the NSW Trauma app, contribute to reduced medical errors and improved patient outcomes.

“Trauma is the most common cause of death in the first half of life,” said Dr Dinh.

 

“With trauma clinicians in more than 200 hospitals across NSW, resources must be accessible immediately, whether at the scene of an accident, in a rural hospital, or in a major trauma centre.”

The Trauma App includes GPS tracking to provide real time information for all NSW hospitals, including flight and drive time from a patient’s current location and hospital capabilities, Burns units and Paediatric units.

“The development team, lead by the Institute of Trauma and Injury Management, have worked tirelessly to create a product which has exceeded all our expectations and which is easy to use,” Dr Wimalasena said.

The app is now being used by NSW Health, NSW Ambulance, Queensland Health and the New Zealand Major Trauma National Clinical Network. Recent monitoring shows that in the past 18 months 9622 clinicians used the app for over 31,084 clinical sessions in caring for injured trauma patients.

The Trauma App was built in collaboration with a range of services including NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation’s (ACI) Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM) and Statewide Burn Injury Service, NSW Ambulance Health Emergency and Aeromedical Services, Greater Sydney Area Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, NSW Health Pathology and 20 designated NSW trauma centres that include clinicians from Lismore Base Hospital and Tweed Heads Hospital Trauma Services.

For more information about the Trauma App, visit the ACI website.

Pictured above are winning team members, Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM) Manager, Christine Lassen, Lismore Base Hospital Emergency Physician, Yashvi Wimalasena and ITIM Project Manager, Ben Hall with their trophy at the recent Australian National Innovation Awards.

The link bridges inside Lismore Base Hospital have received a fresh installment of art this week with staff from the Lismore Regional Gallery hanging a new collection of artworks.

The artwork is part of a partnership between the hospital and the Gallery, showcasing a revolving exhibition of around 50 works in the two purpose-built link bridges connecting the existing hospital with the redeveloped south tower (E block).

This is the second installment of artworks since the partnership began in March this year.

General Manager of the Richmond Clarence Health Services Group, Lynne Weir, was previously involved in a similar partnership in Western NSW LHD, and saw an opportunity to replicate the idea here as part of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment.

“Art projects have worked well in other hospitals and we have already received a lot of positive feedback from patients, visitors and staff – in fact they love it,” Ms Weir said.

“I like to tell people that we don’t have link bridges, we have art galleries. Studies have shown that art helps patients and families in the healing process. It’s a fantastic way of brightening the building and bringing something of interest into the hospital environment,” Ms Weir said.

Pictured here are gallery staff, Andrew McNeill, Fiona Fraser and Jacquie Connolly hanging ‘Between Worlds 3’ by local Aboriginal artist, Karla Dickens.

Ballina District Hospital celebrated a milestone of a different kind yesterday when patient, James Keen, 90, and his wife Val, 86, celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary.

Jim and his wife have been long-time Ballina residents and still have friends and family in the area.

The couple met at a dance at Evans Head, where Jim was stationed with the Air Force.

“He was a good dancer. We got on like a house on fire”, said Val.

Jim and Val have five great-grandchildren, some of whom came up from Sydney to celebrate with them at the morning tea held in the hospital’s transitional care unit.

Improving nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight starts with making good choices.

As part of a state wide effort to create a healthier NSW, the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is moving towards more nutritious food and drink choices for staff and visitors as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The NNSWLHD has a responsibility, as a health provider, to set a good example by making healthier choices easy.

We’re doing this by increasing the offerings of nutritious foods and drinks available for purchase on site and reducing the availability of less healthy options.

Over the coming months, visitors and staff at facilities throughout the local health district will start to notice some changes to drinks available for sale, as NNSWLHD works towards the removal of sugary drinks from sale by 1 December 2017.

With more than half of all adults and nearly one quarter of children overweight or obese, no single action will be able to tackle this issue, and offering healthier options is just one part of a range of initiatives designed to make healthy the new normal.

For more information on how you can make healthy choices, head to www.makehealthynormal.nsw.gov.au

Staff and patients at The Tweed Hospital now have access to new lifesaving equipment thanks to a generous donation by The Tweed Hospital Auxiliary.

Following work done by The Tweed Hospital Resuscitation Committee in addressing the need for rapid response systems and Basic Life Support training for hospital staff, new equipment was purchased by the Auxiliary.

The Auxiliary donated seven Critical Care Defibrillators, 19 Automated External Defibrillators and one Lucas 3 Chest Compression System.

A two-week education program involving on-site training with the new equipment has seen approximately 580 staff trained across The Tweed Hospital.

“A special thank you must go to the Auxiliary for all their volunteer work and donations to provide funds for this lifesaving equipment,” Andrea Thawley, Clinical Nurse Consultant Emergency, said.

Staff have praised the new equipment, and how easy it is to use in an emergency situation.

“The Lifepak 15 defibrillator was easy to operate during a recent rapid response in Coronary Care, eliminating any confusion during a stressful situation,” Marg Crilly, Clinical Nurse Specialist Emergency, said.

It’s National Stroke Week and Lismore Base Hospital’s Acute Stroke Team is calling on Richmond Valley residents to learn the principles of the FAST Response to avoid becoming one of the region’s high number of stroke victims.

A recent report by the Stroke Foundation[i] revealed the electorate of Page has the third highest incidence of stroke in Australia in 2017.

“Stroke kills more women than breast cancer, more men than prostate cancer and leaves thousands with an ongoing disability, yet, it doesn’t have to be this way,” Kim Hoffman, LBH Stroke Care Coordinator, said.

As part of National Stroke Week, which runs from 4th – 10th September, Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) is hosting a stroke awareness and prevention stand in the foyer from Tuesday 5th September to Friday 8th September.

Staff at the hospital will be offering free Blood Pressure health checks between 11am and 12.30pm on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th September. Stroke information handouts will be available at the display.

“Stroke can be treated, but people need to get to hospital quickly. FAST stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time. It is easy to remember and could save your own life or that of a loved one,” Ms Hoffman said.

“If you are confronted with a medical emergency you suspect may be a stroke, ask yourself these three questions:

 

1)    Has the person’s mouth drooped?

2)    Can they lift both arms?

3)    Is their speech slurred?

If the answer to any of these is ‘yes’, call an ambulance straight away.”

Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Sharon McGowan, said 80 percent of strokes displayed at least one of the FAST symptoms.

“Stroke is always a medical emergency and time is critical. Almost 1.9 million brain cells die each minute, so it is important to recognise the signs of a stroke and seek medical help as soon as possible,’’ Ms McGowan said.

“With the right treatment at the right time, many people are able to make a full recovery.

[i] Stroke Foundation. No Postcode Untouched: Stroke in Australia 2017, June 2017

The Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary continues to delight the hearts of patients and staff at the Lismore Base Hospital, with their latest donation of life-saving equipment.

The Auxiliary recently purchased three temporary external pacemakers for the hospital at a total value of $20,487.00.

“A temporary pacemaker may be required when the heart’s electrical system is not working correctly,” Di Goldie, Nursing Unit Manager Intensive Care and Cardiac Services, said.

“The temporary pacemaker is inserted into the patient’s heart and connected to an external pulse generator which allows the heart to beat. This is a lifesaving procedure.”

These machines are the latest in life-saving technology, and are used when a patient’s heart rate has slowed beyond normal. The new technology used in these machines also means better care for patients who require transfer to another facility.

Following the use of this temporary device and further medical investigations, a patient may need a permanent pacemaker inserted, or alternatively, their condition may improve such that the temporary pacing wire can be removed.

“Our community is very fortunate to have these machines available in Lismore, and once again we extend our thanks to the wonderful auxiliary volunteers for their continued hard work,” Ms Goldie said.

Pictured are Lismore UHA President, Diane Miller, with fellow auxiliary members, and Lismore Base Hospital staff, from left, Peter Kwan (Nursing Unit Manager Cardiac Cath Lab), Kym Clements (Acting Nursing Unit Manager Intensive Care Unit), Paul Green (Manager Medical Imaging Richmond Network), Ellen Palmer (Lismore Base Hospital Acting Director Nursing and Midwifery) and Kevin Carter (Business Manager Richmond Network).

Now in its 31st year, Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day was celebrated across NSW today with the theme “For Someone I know”.

Volunteers manned Daffodil Day stands at various sites across the region on Friday 25th August, including at the North Coast Cancer Institute – Lismore Cancer Care and Haematology Unit (NCCI).

Offering smiles, a friendly ear and a table packed with yellow flowers and fundraising goodies, former Lismore City Council Mayor, Jenny Dowell, and local businesswomen Michelle Mitchell of LJ Hooker greeted patients and staff in the foyer.

Jenny has been a Cancer Council ambassador for many years, after she decided to get involved following a diagnosis of breast cancer 9 years ago.

“Every year, someone we know gets diagnosed, and this year I’m here for my mum, who has just been diagnosed with cancer,” Jenny said. “Each day we volunteer is a day closer to a cure for cancer.”

For Michelle, who has also had breast cancer, volunteering with Daffodil Day is about wanting to give back to those who are going through the same experience.

“It’s great to be here today and talk with people and continue to raise money for a cancer-free future,” Michelle said.

NCCI is a public healthcare provider, offering a range of cancer services including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and blood transfusions in Lismore. Services provided at the unit are bulk billed, following patient referral from a specialist.

Funds raised by Daffodil Day contribute to life-saving cancer research, prevention programs, support services and advocacy programs.

Pictured seated are Daffodil Day volunteers Jenny Dowell and Michelle Mitchell, with Cancer Council NSW Community Engagement Manager Rowena Terone.

This week the progress of the new Bonalbo Multi-Purpose Service was celebrated at a Topping Out ceremony to mark the completion of the facility’s roof.

Member for Lismore, the Hon Thomas George, laid a ceremonial brick and paid tribute to the community members, auxiliary and health organisation staff who have worked together to deliver this great project.

“Today is a marvellous day for the Bonalbo and surrounding communities as the completion of the roof, structural framing, and internal framework marks a significant milestone for the project,” Mr George said.

 

“The new MPS in Bonalbo will replace the existing hospital and outdated community health building with a modern, integrated health facility that will service the needs of region long into the future.”

Stage 1, comprising 15 residential aged care beds, a 24-hour emergency department, inpatient beds and consultations rooms, is due for completion by the end of the year.

Stage 2, comprising ‘back of house’ staff facilities, kitchen, and staff accommodation is due for completion in mid-2018.

The MPS model tailors healthcare needs for the local community by integrating health, aged care services, and emergency services, to provide flexible health service delivery – from primary health care to acute and residential aged care.

Image, L-R: John Tart, Bonalbo Project Control Group and Save Our Services (SOS) committee member; Cr John Burley, Kyogle Shire Council Deputy Mayor; Wayne Jones, Northern NSW LHD Chief Executive; Lynne Weir, General Manager Richmond Clarence Health Service Group; Nancy Martin, Executive Officer/ Director of Nursing MPS Network; and Narelle Gotting, Save Our Services (SOS) and Bonalbo United Hospital Auxiliary.

Patients at The Tweed Hospital and Murwillumbah District Hospital now have access to the REACH program, after it was rolled out across inpatient areas on June 1.

REACH is a patient and family activated rapid response program.

“The REACH program encourages patients, family and carers to initially engage with their nurse or medical team, if they are concerned that ‘something is not right’, and provides them with avenues to escalate their concerns to initiate a more in depth review of the patient’s situation if necessary,” Darleen Berwick, Deputy Director of Nursing at Murwillumbah District Hospital, said.

To mark the significance of this milestone, a nursing conference, Heart of Caring, was also held in Tweed Heads on the day, organised by Tweed Byron Health Service Group nursing executives and attended by local senior nursing staff.

The Heart of Caring Conference encouraged participants to reflect on how they could improve their nursing practice to enhance compassionate care and engagement patients and their families.

REACH advocates Naomi and Grant Day, whose son, Kyran, passed away in a Sydney hospital in 2013, presented their patient story at the conference and also addressed Medical Grand Rounds at The Tweed Hospital on the day.

“Grant and I believe that the program will save lives and also allow parents and families to raise their hands if they’re concerned. Children and babies don’t have a voice, so we need to be their voice,” Mrs Day said.

“We are very appreciative that the local health district has allowed us to share our story.”

The response from local clinicians and nurses to the rollout of the program has been extremely positive, and the involvement of the Days has been beneficial in raising awareness of the importance of this type of communication channel.

“It was very well received and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Naomi and Grant for assisting us in engaging staff in this process,” Ms Berwick said.

Image: Participants at the Heart of Caring Conference held in Tweed Heads recently.

Palliative Care nurses, clinicians and staff at Lismore Base Hospital and Richmond Specialist Palliative Care Services are encouraging the community to get talking about palliative care and end of life choices this week as part of Palliative Care Week.

To recognise National Palliative Care Week, which runs from 21 – 28 May, the Lismore Base Hospital and Richmond Specialist Palliative Care Services are running an information stall in the foyer of Lismore Base Hospital each day from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

“Palliative Care is designed to manage pain and improve symptoms of people towards the end of their lives. It’s an integral part of a patient’s journey, and it can make all the difference to a patient’s quality of life in those last weeks, months or years,” Lismore Base Hospital Palliative Care Specialist, Dr Ken Marr, said.

National Palliative Care Week is an annual event supported by NSW Health to raise awareness and understanding about palliative care in the Australian community.

This year the theme is “You matter, your care matters. Palliative Care can make a difference.”

The Richmond Specialist Palliative Care Service works to deliver palliative care in the community through aged care facilities in collaboration with general practitioners and aged care staff.

“Aged care services are a key part of ensuring that people cared for by them have a positive end-of-life experience. They are vital in ensuring that there is collaboration between the palliative care sector and their staff,” Joanne Cooper, Lismore Community Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultant, said.

During May, the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has been running a range of activities designed to encourage people to talk and learn about the important issues of death and dying.

In addition to the information stall at Lismore Base Hospital, similar stalls are also being set up this week at Grafton and Maclean Hospitals, and Community Health centres in the Clarence Valley.

Earlier this month, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health, Leslie Williams, visited Lismore to host a Palliative Care Round Table on improving end-of-life care in Northern NSW.

For more information on National Palliative Care Week visit http://palliativecare.org.au/national-palliative-care-week/

Download the Dying to Talk Discussion Starter at www.dyingtotalk.org.au

NSW Health has launched a new app designed to help parents remember when their children’s vaccinations are due.

The ‘Save the Date to Vaccinate’ app is now available to download now from the NSW Health Immunisation website.

Just enter your child’s name, date of birth and postcode and the app creates a personalised immunisation schedule and sends you a series of reminders when it’s time to book appointments.

Get your child’s shots on time to make sure they’re protected from serious disease.

http://www.immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au/

Lynn Hopkinson, Northern NSW Local Health District’s Manager, Service Redesign, was among those awarded with a Graduate Certificate (Clinical Redesign) at the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation’s (ACI) Centre for Healthcare Redesign graduation ceremony in Sydney recently.

Lynn lead a team from The Tweed Hospital’s orthopaedic service to design and implement an improved journey for patients having an elective hip or knee replacement.

The ‘Totally Hip (and Knee)’ project focussed on improving patient preparation for surgery and helping them manage at home after discharge; safely reducing their length of stay; and reducing the costs associated with this type of surgery.

The outcomes of the project, and other initiatives presented at the graduation ceremony, can be found at the ACI Innovation Exchange website, www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au

Image: Lynn Hopkinson with Dr Antonio Penna, Executive Director of the Office for Health & Medical Research, NSW Ministry of Health. Photo courtesy of ACI.

North Coast parents are being urged to immunise their children against preventable diseases after a spike in cases of the potentially deadly whooping cough disease.

Acting Director of Public Health, Greg Bell, said there had been 37 whooping cough notifications in the last week, more than double that of the previous week.

“Anyone can contract whooping cough, it spreads easily by sneezing and coughing, and can be a life threatening infection for infants,” Mr Bell said.

Public health units (PHUs) actively follow up all cases involving children under five years of age by attempting to contact parents by phone. For those cases involving patients older than five years, the PHU sends either an SMS or letter in an attempt to provide all cases with information relating to whooping cough in a timely manner.

Mr Bell said the North Coast experienced a similar spike in whooping cough cases leading into winter last year.

Persistent low vaccination levels in some parts of Northern NSW is worrying, given that free vaccination is available to all parents. Whooping cough vaccination is valuable in preventing severe infection in infants and toddlers, and if unvaccinated children are infected they are at high risk of severe disease.

“It must be remembered that prior to the NSW Government introducing free antenatal whooping cough vaccinations in 2015, four infants had died in the preceding six years,” Mr Bell said.

 

“All pregnant women are urged to have the free whooping cough vaccine during their third trimester, preferably at 28 weeks, to provide optimal protection to their infants.”

Positive health interventions, such as vaccination, in the first five years of a child’s life are vitally important in laying the foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life.

The NSW Immunisation Program provides communities with protection against vaccine preventable diseases across all ages including infants, children, adolescents, healthcare workers and older people.

Vaccination is the best way to protect your child and other children in the community from serious diseases such as measles, whooping cough and hepatitis B.

Vaccines work best if they are given on time. Even if a child has a runny nose or cold they can still have their vaccines. Vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) is recommended for babies aged six to eight weeks, then at four months and six months of age. A booster is recommended at 18 months, again at four years of age and in the first year of high school. Delaying vaccination can increase the risk of your child getting sick.

NSW Health has made it easier for parents to ensure their children are fully immunised on time through its innovative app – Save the Date to Vaccinate.

The app allows parents to enter their child’s name and birth date, as well as their General Practitioner’s (GP) contact details. It then calculates the next immunisation due date and sends a series of reminders to prompt the parent to call their GP to schedule an appointment for each immunisation. Parents can make that call straight from the app.

A Save the Date to Vaccinate website has also been developed and includes resources such as a printable Personalised Vaccination Schedule and immunisation videos.

Download the SAVE THE DATE App or print a Personalised Vaccination Schedule at www.immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au.

To book in for your child’s immunisations contact your local Community Health Centre or General Practitioner.

Women’s care across the Northern Rivers will receive a major boost tomorrow with the opening of the new Women’s Care Unit (WCU) at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH).

The stylish, state-of-the-art WCU is the first floor to open in the $180 million Stage 3B redevelopment of LBH.

The $80.25 million LBH Stage 3A redevelopment, comprising the new Emergency and Renal Departments, was officially opened late 2016 by then NSW Premier Mike Baird.

General Manager of the Richmond Clarence Health Service Group, Lynne Weir, said the new WCU was a giant leap forward for women’s care in the area.

“The new WCU is absolutely beautiful, yet apart from its looks it is also an ultra-modern state-of-the-art facility,” Ms Weir said.

 

“The WCU is spacious and contains an expanded Special Care Nursery and Birthing Unit, as well as predominantly spacious single bed rooms. In keeping with modern standards, each of the five new birthing suites contains a birthing bath.”

The WCU will open to the public tomorrow, 2 May from 10am when patients in the existing WCU will be transferred across to the new unit. Pregnant women presenting to LBH on that day after 7am will be directed to the new unit.

The WCU is the latest floor to open within the 12-storey south tower, which includes a helipad. The $180 million Stage 3B redevelopment will deliver in stages additional clinical services, including new operating theatres, the WCU, paediatrics, medical imaging services and a range of new inpatient units.

Construction of the four-storey north tower is expected to commence mid-2018.

The North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) and the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) have launched free health services to assist those affected by floods which swept through our region.

NCPHN announced $100,000 in emergency relief funding.

This package includes a 1300 Mental Health Flood Support Line which launched on Monday 10 April:

Access to free mental health services No referral needed In-person and telephone counselling available Centralised number to connect you to the right care: 1300 137 934

beyondblue Support Service: 1300 224 636

Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800

To access a PDF flyer about the Mental Health Flood Support Line click here.

“Being able to use existing health infrastructure, and our strong relationships with the NNSWLHD, has helped us to respond quickly. The effects of this tragedy are being felt now across our region, and will be felt for many months to come,” said Dr Vahid Saberi, NCPHN Chief Executive. “Our focus is on making sure services can respond quickly to meet immediate needs of the community.”

Existing psychological counselling services have been mobilised through the NCPHN Healthy Minds program. Experienced practitioners registered with this program are making themselves available for this increased community need.

Wayne Jones, NNSWLHD Chief Executive said, “We appreciate that the full effects of this traumatic event may not be felt for some time, and people should not hesitate to seek out assistance through these avenues both now and into the future. Help is available and we encourage people to use these services.”

From Monday 10 April, anyone seeking mental health support is urged to phone 1300 137 934 between 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday. People calling this number will be quickly directed to the most appropriate service to meet their individual needs.

Outside of these times, people should call one of the existing support lines below:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511

As the flood recovery continues in Northern NSW and Queensland, affected areas are beginning to dry out.

Taking proper precautions can help you reduce your chance of developing health complications that can arise from contact with dangerous materials during the flood clean up.

For more information on how to stay safe during a flood clean up when dealing with dust, asbestos and mould, click here.

The North Coast Public Health Unit is urging Northern Rivers residents and visitors to avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater.

Greg Bell, Acting Director Public Health, said it is important that people treat all floodwater as potentially contaminated. Mr Bell advised people that they should not swim or play in floodwater because of the dangers of contacting diluted sewage, bacteria, chemicals and physical hazards that may be present. “While the risk of infection from contact with floodwater is generally low, it is important to stay away from flood-affected areas and avoid unnecessary contact with mud and floodwaters.” If you cut yourself on something that has been contaminated with floodwater, check with your GP about your tetanus vaccination.

To view the full media release, click here.  To view the Staying Health After Floods Advice – click here.

Hints for staying healthy during floods and while cleaning up:

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.

For more information please visit the following links on the NSW Health website:

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/emergency_preparedness/weather/Pages/storms-and-floods.aspx

• Discard any tinned food that has no labels, as well as perishable food that has been out of refrigeration for more than 4 hours. If freezer door is kept shut, frozen food will not spoil for at least 24 hours.
• Have septic tanks or pipes professionally inspected or serviced if you suspect damage.
• Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, use roll-on insect repellent on exposed skin and apply every few hours.
• 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.

Hospitals across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) have been highlighting the importance of organ and tissue donations within their local communities.

In order to ignite conversations around existing avenues and new opportunities to increase donation rates, representatives from the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service visited the area to meet with clinicians, hospital executives and other key stakeholders.

In 2016, a record 1,448 Australians received a lifesaving transplant as a result of the generosity of 503 deceased organ donors whose families agreed to donation at the time of their loved one’s death.

“With ongoing education and improved awareness we can increase this number,” State Medical Director for the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, Dr Elena Cavazzoni, said.

“One donor can save up to 10 lives and improve the lives of many more. Many people aren’t aware that only about 1-2 per cent of people who die in hospital will be eligible to donate their organs, which is why raising awareness at a local level is so critical,” Dr Cavazzoni said.

Among discussions which took place was the introduction of the new femoral head bone donation program at Grafton Base Hospital.

“The femoral head bone is typically removed during a hip replacement and would otherwise be discarded following the operation. Bone donation can assist people needing life-enhancing spinal fusions and treatments after cancer, trauma and sports injuries,” Tissue Donor coordinator, Helen McKeon, said.

Organ donation services are also soon to be expanded in other hospitals on the North Coast.

“We’re expanding our engagement with other sites in the local health district with the help of local donation specialist staff. In the next 12 months we’ll be working with staff in Ballina, Byron and Grafton to expand the services provided there,” Juliana Celcer, Clinical Manager, NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, said.

In NSW, you can no longer register a donation decision via your driver’s licence. The Australian Organ Donor Register is the only way to record your decision to become an organ and tissue donor.

To find out how to register online visit www.donatelife.gov.au

The Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary this week opened a revamped shop-front in a prominent position in the foyer of Lismore Base Hospital (LBH).

Auxiliary members have welcomed the move, saying the new location has brought increased public awareness and positive feedback from the general public and hospital staff.

“This spot gives us a higher public profile, because not everyone was aware of it in the old location,” President of the LBH Auxiliary, Diane Miller, says.

The store had previously been located inside the foyer of the Level 4 café.

“When the public supports the gift shop, that supports our fundraising efforts and we have more opportunities to supply equipment for the benefit of hospital patients,” Mrs Miller says.

The gift shop is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 2.30pm, selling handmade babywear, homewares, magazines and newspapers. On Thursdays the store also stocks home-cooked cakes, slices, biscuits and preserves, but it’s best to go early because things sell out!

This World Cancer Day, the Cancer Institute NSW is joining with Northern NSW Local Health District to encourage people to make a personal pledge to help change the future of cancer in our region.

New figures from the Cancer Institute NSW show that in 2016 approximately 2,490 people in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) were diagnosed with cancer and 705 people died from the disease.

World Cancer Day on Saturday, 4 February is a global event aiming to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease.

This year the theme of ‘We can. I can’ highlights how everyone can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.

“Under the campaign theme ‘We Can. I Can.’ World Cancer Day offers an opportunity to reflect on how we can lessen the impact of cancer on our community and in our own lives,” Chief Executive, NNSWLHD, Wayne Jones, says.

“One third of cancers in Australia can be attributed to lifestyle factors including smoking, UV exposure, alcohol intake, diet and physical activity. By taking action to quit smoking, protect your skin, reduce alcohol, eat well and exercise, a person can reduce their risk of developing cancer.”

We can also come together to make a difference for people with cancer, pledging that: “We can keep improving cancer treatment,” or “We can turn research findings into new treatments for people with cancer.”

No matter who you are or what you do, everyone is encouraged to share a message on Saturday, 4 February, using #WeCanICan and #WorldCancerDay.

For more information on World Cancer Day in NSW visit: https://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/worldcancerday