$60 million toward Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment
May 4, 2012
The 2012-13 Federal Budget will deliver significant new funds for two Lismore hospitals.
Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said $60 million was going toward the redevelopment of Lismore Base Hospital and $2.5 million would be used to build two new operating theatres at St Vincent’s Private Hospital.
Saffin seeks assurance on future of Coraki’s Campbell Hospital
February 2, 2012
Page MP Janelle Saffin is calling on the Northern New South Wales Local Health District to give a public reassurance about the status of Campbell Hospital in Coraki.
Ms Saffin said it is not fair to leave the Coraki community in limbo about when the hospital will reopen.
Read more
MP calls for end of Canadian asbestos exports to sub-continent
November 25, 2011
Page MP Janelle Saffin has moved a Private Members Motion in Federal Parliament to recognise the action of Australian governments in dealing with the impacts of asbestos-related diseases.
“We have first-hand experience of the tragic legacy of asbestos with constituents of Page who worked at the James Hardie mine at Baryulgil,” she said.
Read more
New Mental Health Access Line – 1800 011 511
November 2, 2011
Northern NSW Local Health District is currently transitioning to a new Mental Health Access Line. The new number for the Mental Health Line is 1800 011 511.
Trent Taylor, Manager of Clinical Partnerships, Mental Health Services in Lismore, said the Mental Health Line provides 24-hour mental health connection and referral services and is staffed by mental health professionals.
“The new Mental Health Line is a single point, state-wide service that will connect the people of NSW with the right care,” Mr Taylor said.
“Services will continue to be provided at the same level as the existing Mental Health Access Line and callers will still receive the high level of care provided by the mental health professionals.”
Can laughter help people with dementia?
August 17, 2011
Can taking part in stand-up comedy performances have therapeutic effects on people with dementia?
An innovative Southern Cross University research project is investigating the link, in partnership with an aged care provider and a comedian.
Our House project gets $1m funding top-up
May 6, 2011
Member for Page Janelle Saffin today announced nearly $1 million in top-up Australian Government funding to ensure the completion of the Our House Cancer Patient Accommodation project in Lismore.
Ms Saffin said Northern Rivers cancer patients, and their families and carers, could look forward to conveniently located, low-cost accommodation while patients had treatment across the road at Lismore’s Integrated Cancer Care Centre
“The Government originally allocated $2.6 million from the Health and Hospitals Fund’s (HHF) Regional Cancer Care Centre initiative to the Northern Rivers Community Cancer Foundation Limited to purchase and build Our House on its Hunter Street site,” Ms Saffin said.
“However, the old Jildyn Flats were found to contain asbestos and termites, resulting in a change of the project’s scope from refurbishment to demolition and construction, entailing additional costs.
New health infrastructure funding for Page
April 27, 2011
Page MP Janelle Saffin today announced more than $157,000 in health infrastructure funding for St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Lismore.
Ms Saffin said local people can look forward to better access to health care with today’s announcement of funding under round five of the Australian Government’s National Rural and Remote Health Infrastructure Program (NRRHIP).
“The money will be used to purchase equipment to develop a Urological Centre of Excellence at St Vincent’s, to service the Lismore region,” she said.
The CEO of St Vincent’s, Bob Walsh, said he was delighted with the news of the grant that will be used to establish first Lithotripsy service for the North Coast, to treat public and private patients suffering from Renal Calculi.
Local firm launches ‘world’s best’ filtered water bottle
March 30, 2011
Local company AlkaWay, which has been busy for the past 11 years helping Australians prevent and treat disease through a more alkaline lifestyle, has just released a stainless steel filtered water bottle.
And they are good enough for health-conscious supermodel Miranda Kerr, who is using and endorsing the bottles.
The first of its kind in Australia, the makers say the Fill2Pure has been subject to rigorous clinical testing with independent laboratories and the armed forces in remote locations including Afghanistan and Iraq prior to market release.
The bottle can be filled with tap water from any country in the world. The bottle’s filter removes up to 99.99% of all contaminants including chlorine, heavy metals, fluoride, bacteria such as e-coli and giardia and other industrial and agricultural waste but leaves in beneficial trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium.
“Good water is the foundation of good health,” said Ian Blair Hamilton, founder of AlkaWay and author of The Untold Truth About The Cause of Disease.
Four new specialist doctors for Page electorate
March 2, 2011
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and Member for Page Janelle Saffin have announced four new specialist doctors for Page.
The announcement is part of the Gillard Government’s $356 million to boost specialist doctors across the country, particularly in regional areas.
Minister Roxon said 518 trainee doctors are being supported to undertake specialist medical training – an increase of nearly 44% on 2010 and an unprecedentend investment in the Specialist Training Program (STP) by the Government.
Ms Saffin said the extra invesment in four specialist doctor trainees in Page was a great boost for the local community.
Work under way on $5 million Grafton GP Super Clinic
February 25, 2011
Clarence Valley residents will soon be able to visit doctors, nurses and a range of allied health professionals in the one convenient location after Page MP Janelle Saffin today turned the first sod for the Grafton GP Super Clinic.
Ms Saffin said she was delighted that one of her major election commitments from the 2007 election – Ochre Health Group’s $5 million GP Super Clinic on the corner of Clarence and Fitzroy streets – was under way.
“The Grafton GP Super Clinic will house general practitioners and allied health professionals, plus offer integrated chronic disease management services and provide training and education for future health professionals,” Ms Saffin said.
“Preventative services will also be available from the clinic to address conditions including obesity, respiratory disease, circulatory disease, mental health conditions and musculoskeletal disease. Pharmacy and pathology services will also be available.”
