More people using natural, complementary medicine: ABS
July 25, 2008
New government findings that people are flocking to natural and complementary medicine practitioners have been welcomed by Hans Wohlmuth, the head of Southern Cross University’s Department of Natural and Complementary Medicine.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures out this week show that the number of people visiting a complementary health professional — most commonly a chiropractor, naturopath or acupuncturist — increased by 51 per cent in the 10 years to 2005.
Almost 750,000 people (3.8 per cent of the population) had visited this type of practitioner in a two-week period in 2005 compared with about 500,000 (2.8 per cent of the population) in 1995.
In another vote of consumer confidence in the natural health sector, the census data also showed the number of people working as complementary health professionals nearly doubled from 4,800 to 8,600 in the ten years to 2006.
Saffin, Cansdell seek best-practice model for Grafton’s GP Super Clinic
July 23, 2008
Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin has embarked on a fact-finding tour to find best-practice models that will help plan Grafton’s proposed $5-million GP Super Clinic.
Ms Saffin and State Member for Clarence Steve Cansdell last week inspected the Goonellabah Medical Centre, where two of its directors, Dr Andrew Binns and Dr David Guest, briefed them on how GPs and allied health professionals work as a team under one roof to improve patient care and achieve greater efficiencies.
The MPs last night in Grafton (Tuesday, July 22) gave their impressions of this local ’super clinic’ to a community consultation meeting attended by doctors and practice managers, public health administrators and users of the health system.
The Goonellabah Medical Centre has 12 consultation rooms which are used by seven GPs, four psychologists, a dietician and visiting specialists.
Richmond Clinic demolition is under way
July 18, 2008
With a strategic blow from a sledgehammer, Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin symbolically started demolition of Lismore Base Hospital’s former mental health building to mark the start of construction of the $27 million Integrated Cancer Centre (ICC).
Following the recent relocation of patients and staff from Richmond Clinic to the new Mental Health facility, the building will be demolished as part of the site clearance for the new ICC, Stage 2 of the LBH redevelopment.
The demolition will be handled by Lismore contractor, Farpoint Demolitions.
The ICC, which includes Radiation Oncology (Radiotherapy), is the third such facility for the North Coast Cancer Institute.
Cancer Council’s new office has major advantages
July 9, 2008
Dr Andrew Penman, pictured, CEO of Cancer Council NSW, this week welcomed Member for Lismore Thomas George, Mayors Silver and King from Ballina and Lismore Councils, Cr Jenny Dowell, Dr Sue Page, volunteers, Area Health staff, volunteers and other supporters to view the new office in Alstonville.
“A major advantage of the new office is how it integrates working space for staff and volunteers,” Dr Penman said.
“We are now in a position to work alongside our volunteers in an open-plan office as part of a close-knit team.”
After the launch Dr Penman used the new office for the afternoon and declared it a wonderful way to work.
Fitness trainer Natasha loves her job
June 25, 2008
Natasha Ryan reckons she has the perfect job.
“I’ve always loved exercise and I really enjoy meeting new people – that’s what makes being a fitness instructor so great,” said Ms Ryan.
“Gone are the days of monotonous weightlifting and hours on the rowing machine — now most gyms run spin bike classes, boxercise, boot camps and more.
“My job is flexible, challenging and fun – so much better than being stuck behind a desk all day!
“As a personal trainer and a mother of two young children, I realised that their was a niche in the market to provide affordable and accessible programs for health and fitness.
Lifestyle medicine association is an Australian first
May 21, 2008
The alarming increase in diabetes, heart disease and a number of other lifestyle associated illnesses has led to the establishment of the country’s first lifestyle medicine association, bringing together GPs and allied health professionals.
The inaugural meeting of the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association, established by Southern Cross University’s School of Health and Human Sciences, will be held in Lismore on Thursday, May 22.
Dr Garry Egger, pictured, one of the country’s leading experts in obesity and related diseases, said there was a growing need for GPs to work alongside health professionals in fields such as nutrition, exercise science, psychology and physiotherapy.
“About 70 per cent of people who visit a GP are there because of their lifestyle,” Dr Egger said.
Pollies unite to improve Indigenous health
April 19, 2008
They might be on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but Member for Ballina Don Page and Greens MLC Ian Cohen united for the betterment of Indigenous Australians at Parliament House.
Mr Page, a Nationals MP, and Mr Cohen attended the Close The Gap Forum in Sydney at Parliament House in Sydney.
Lismore Base Hospital wins Defence Reserves award
April 13, 2008
Lismore Base Hospital has been honoured for its support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserves.
Lismore Base Hospital was one of 56 NSW employers honoured at a ceremony on board HMAS Darwin at Garden Island.
The event organised by the NSW Committee of the Defence Reserves Support Council, recognised employers who have supported their Reservist employees with workplace policies that allow them to render Defence service.
North Coast health services: Govt under attack
April 3, 2008
North Coast Nationals MPs today went on the attack in State Parliament over health services in the region.
Leader of The Nationals Andrew Stoner and North Coast Nationals MPs Steve Cansdell, Thomas George, Geoff Provest, Don Page and Andrew Fraser slammed Premier Morris Iemma and Health Minister Reba Meagher for their ‘mismanagement of health on the North Coast’.
In Question Time today, Clarence MP Steve Cansdell asked Reba Meagher to explain why she had planned to add only 30 beds for the entire North Coast while taking away 84 beds as part of the so-called surge beds strategy, when Queensland is planning up to 1000 extra beds by 2012 just across the border on the Gold Coast.
Ms Meagher revealed she had agreed this week to postpone the bed cuts, which would have reduced bed numbers by 54, in order to conduct a review.
Medical treatment for seniors on the agenda
April 3, 2008
Helping older people plan in advance what medical treatment they do or don’t want to receive in the event that they can’t speak for themselves is the focus of a series of workshops during Seniors Week, starting on April 7.
The workshops will be held during Seniors Week in Ballina, Brunswick Heads, Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads.
The Advance Care Planning workshop is being run by the Aged Services Learning and Research Collaboration (ASLaRC), a partnership between Southern Cross University and the University of NSW.
Professor Colleen Cartwright, director of ASLaRC, said planning for health care at the end of life was just like taking out an insurance policy.
