The Expo theme this year is’Ageing Well’ and will feature a monster book sale organised by Pinevale residents and staff, with the proceeds from the sale of all pre-loved books going to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

‘Ageing Well’ is all about showcasing some of the opportunities that now exist for older people and their families, who want access to information and services that help in continuing to enjoy a good quality of life.  

More than 40 community organisations, private businesses and health promotion practitioners have booked in for the event, together with entertainers. 

As well as being able to provide specific information about ageing – perhaps trying out mobility aids, or having a remedial massage or having your blood pressure checked – the expo this year will have a definite spring flavour with a plant display, a fashion parade, homewares, gifts and accessories, lots of live music and good food.   

Organisers can still take some bookings from community groups and businesses who have a focus on the older population and would like to be involved in this informative and fun event.

Stalls sites are in the grounds of Pinevale and are outside, under cover. Pinevale can help with shades and chairs. 

Entry is by gold coin donation for those attending and stalls are free, however, organisers do ask for a small gift to the resident fund-raising commitee. 

Funds raised from entry into the expo will go to Pinevale Resident’s Fundraising Committee.

For further information phone Anna, Jan or Sonia on 6624 5010.

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Ms Saffin said the Government has changed the classification of rural and remote areas and now Lismore, Alstonville, Ballina, Wardell and Wollongbar have been included in the list of areas that can offer incentives to attract and keep GPs.

“I lobbied for these local centres to be included, and worked with local doctor Andrew Binns to push for these changes which have now been delivered,” she said.

“This means that the all of the Page electorate is now eligible to offer incentives to attract and keep GPs.

“The changed classification was long overdue as the previous government based the incentive system on population figures from 1991.

“The Australian Government is investing is a total of $134.4 million to encourage doctors to relocate and stay in rural areas as part of the Rural Health Workforce Strategy.”

Significant changes include:

• The incentives apply to fully-trained GPs, where previously it was only registrars
• Relocation grants of $15,000 to $30,000 for city doctors to move to our area
• Retention grants that increase for every year the doctor stays in the area
• HECS reimbursement scheme
• Incentives to attract overseas-trained doctors.

Under the Rural Health Workforce Strategy, the incentives are scaled to provide the greatest rewards to those doctors willing to work in the most remote locations.

An important part of the Rural Health Workforce Strategy is the locum program of incentives and training packages to support city doctors doing locums for doctors in country areas, so country doctors can have adequate rest and professional development.

Ms Saffin said these incentives benefit all residents of Page by encouraging more doctors to move here, as well as keeping local GPs in the area.

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It is estimated that more than 245,000 Australians have dementia, and nearly one million family members and friends help care for them. 

“The $50,000 funding for the North Coast will support people with dementia, their families and carers,” Mrs Elliot said.

Tweed Valley Services Inc will receive $50,000 for the Living Life Well pilot project.

This project involves the development of Creative Life Story Albums to acknowledge the issues faced by people in the early stages of dementia and their carers and families.

“Australia has one of the longest life expectancies in the English-speaking world and with increased longevity comes the greater possibility of dementia and other chronic diseases and complex health conditions,” Mrs Elliot said.

“Communities throughout Australia will benefit from the grants which fund innovative projects to support and provide services for people with dementia, their families and carers.

“Local communities are the key to improving awareness about dementia and helping families and carers provide support and care.”

In the last two years the Rudd Government has provided nearly $225 million to the Dementia Initiative and more than $384 million to the National Respite for Carers Program to provide support and assistance to people with dementia, their families and carers.

“The Rudd Government is providing ongoing support to the Dementia Initiative, including early intervention programs, training for aged and community care workers to improve care for people with dementia, and funds for research,” Mrs Elliot said.

Further details of the grant recipients are available at www.health.gov.au/dementia

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With some cancers, patients from rural areas are up to three times more likely to die within five years of diagnosis than their counterparts in urban areas.

The $9.1 million investment in Lismore will work towards improving the services and care for the more than 32,000 NSW residents diagnosed with cancer each year.

The Government will provide $6.5 million to commission a second linear accelerator and a Positron Emissions Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner at Lismore Base Hospital.

A further $2.6 million will be invested in a 20-unit cancer patient and carer accommodation facility, ‘Our House’, to be built adjacent to the new cancer care centre at the Lismore Base Hospital.

The investment means people across the North Coast will no longer have to travel to Brisbane or Sydney to receive treatment, and can get care closer to home and with the support of their family.

The additional infrastructure will also underpin planning for future expansion of radiotherapy services in this region.

‘Our House’ will provide a home base for carers and cancer patients who need accommodation when they come to Lismore to receive their treatment.

Member for Page Janelle Saffin said this was a wonderful announcement and will mean vastly improved cancer care for patients on the North Coast, as well as a place to stay for their carers.

“There were many local submissions for this, and I lobbied hard to see these facilities become a reality on the North Coast, and I am delighted that the cancer care services the Northern Rivers community have asked for will be delivered,” she said.

“I am very excited by this announcement and I want to thank the community and particularly Dr Chris Ingall and Dr Adam Boyce for their hard work on these cancer care initiatives.”
 
The North Coast Cancer Institute Regional Cancer Service forms part of the Rudd Government’s $560 million investment in regional and rural cancer centres to ensure all Australians can get care closer to home and their community.

It builds on the Rudd Government’s other investment for Lismore Base Hospital:

$7 million to fast-track the building of the integrated cancer centre at the Lismore Base Hospital bringing the total Commonwealth contribution to $15 million. The new building is due to be completed and operational by 31 May 2010;
$8.3 million to expand the Emergency Department through an additional eight beds; $600,000 for Elective Surgery equipment.

Today’s announcement also shows the benefit of the Federal Government stepping up to the plate and providing funding for health services across Australia.

Under the National Health and Hospitals Network, the Rudd Government would provide 60 per cent of the funding for capital upgrades for public hospitals.  

The Rudd Government’s plan will see health services funded nationally and run locally through local hospital networks to deliver better outcomes for local communities.

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Page MP Janelle Saffin met Sarah and her mother, Denise, in her Parliamentary office on Thursday morning and then joined them at the Kids in the House lunch with the other youth ambassadors, their supporters and many Members of Parliament. 

Ms Saffin said in the electorate of Page there are more than 950 young people with type 1 diabetes,

“Australia has one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes in the world, and the rate of new cases in children is increasing by 3 per cent a year,” she said.

“At the lunch we discussed this alarming statistic and the clear need for more research to find the cause and a cure.

“The CEO of JDRF appealed for a national research program, costing $40 million, to which the JDRF is putting $10 million.

“A number of young people told their personal stories, and moved many of us to tears. But along with the despair there was lots of hope and optimism.

“At my table, in addition to Sarah, were two young boys, not much more than toddlers and they were so delightful, in the matter-of-fact way that they dealt with their type 1 diabetes. 

“We were asked to prick our finger tip, to get a feel for what these children do up to 10 times per day and they laughed when I let out a loud ‘ouch’ when Sarah pricked my finger! 

“Sarah has been to see me in Lismore to discuss support for type 1 diabetes and she is dedicated to lobbying and raising awareness of the illness.

“I was delighted when I heard that Sarah was chosen as one of the youth ambassadors for this event, and I would like to congratulate for being such an active advocate.

“Both the Prime MinisterKevin Ruddand the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, attended the function, showing the strong commitment the Rudd Government has for supporting people with diabetes.

“The Government has set up the type 1 diabetes Insulin Pump program, to help families managing this illness.

“Insulin pumps are expensive, ranging in cost from $4000 to $8000, and last month the Government announced an increase in the maximum subsidy from $2500 to $6400, for eligible families.

“An insulin pump significantly improves the health of users by making it easier to control their condition and live regular, healthy, active lives.

“I have told Sarah I will support measures for further research into type 1 diabetes.

PICTURE: 15-year-old Sarah Moore (centre) with her mother Denise Moore (left) and Janelle Saffin MP and Ryan Lum (front) at the Kids in the House lunch at Parliament House in Canberra.

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Ms Saffin this week met with Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon to discuss a $57.8 million Regional Cancer Centres Initiative-North Coast Cancer Institute and a $2.6 million ‘Our House’-Lismore Cancer Patient and Carer Accommodation project.

Ms Saffin said she hoped both projects could be approved under the Federal Government’s $560 million Health & Hospitals Fund, which will build 10 best-practice regional cancer centres in Canberra and non-metropolitan centres.

“I encouraged the local medical fraternity and community members to lodge strong applications, which were independently assessed by the Health & Hospitals Fund Advisory Board during the past few months,” she said.

“Clearly, we must compete against other regional bids from around Australia, but with the North Coast having the highest incidence of melanoma in New South Wales and above-average incidences of all forms of cancer, we can certainly justify a need for improved services.”

NSW Health and the North Coast Area Health Service jointly lodged the regional initiative, which includes $9.1 million for a second linear accelerator (radiotherapy) and a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner at Lismore Base Hospital’s $25 million Integrated Cancer Care Centre, due to open by May this year.

Other key capital investments in this submission, developed by leading oncologists, are $26.7 million for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, approved as Medical Benefits Schedule eligible, at Coffs Harbour Base Hospital, and $22 million for a second linear accelerator and bunker at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

Our Kids, spearheaded by fundraiser Rebekka Battista, and the Northern Rivers Community Cancer Foundation Limited, chaired by Lismore paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall, are seeking $2.6 million in Commonwealth funding towards a $4.1 million, 20-unit accommodation lodge for cancer patients and their carers.

‘Our House’ – Lismore Cancer Patient and Carer Accommodation would be built next door to the Lismore ICCC where Jildyn Flats currently stand.

NSW Health has approved the sale of Jildyn Flats to the Foundation and confirmed it will match the Cancer Council of Australia’s $500,000 contribution to the project. The Foundation has committed to raise a further $500,000 and already has sizeable pledges from local organisations.

PICTURE: Nicola Roxon and Janelle Saffin in Canberra this week.

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Starting in April, the project will involve up to 50 people who have been referred for support at home.

Funded by the NSW Department of Human Services, Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), the project follows a study by Professor Colleen Cartwright (pictured), director of ASLaRC, into the use of a re-ablement approach in community care services.

“Instead of just providing support services, this approach is person-centred, building on the hopes and needs of each individual and setting goals along the way,” Professor Cartwright said.

The aim is to ensure that individuals who have been identified as needing home care services are provided with the best opportunity to rebuild and maintain their independence and ability to live in their own homes.

“We have really learned from the disability sector about how to help people identify what they can do and what they can relearn to do,” she said. “It is about building on their strengths, rather than focussing on what they can’t do.”

Professor Cartwright said this approach was being used in New Zealand, in Western Australia and in Sydney, but this was the first project of its type on the North Coast.

Instead of providing standard support services, the re-ablement approach involves a multi-disciplinary team made up of allied health professionals including a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a registered nurse, a care co-ordinator, and re-ablement assistants or support workers.

“It’s person-centred and goal-focused with steps along the way. It may be that the ultimate goal for one person is to be able to walk to the corner shop or go to the post office, so the first step may be with a physio to help that person get dressed on their own,” Professor Cartwright said.

“The focus is on getting them well again and independent.”

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The Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Memory Van is a mobile education resource that travels statewide to help raise awareness on the importance of brain health and dementia risk reduction.

The Memory Van provides communities with information designed to help educate and assist people living with dementia, their carers and health professionals.

Staff can also assist with enquiries about memory loss.

The Memory Van is fully equipped with Help Sheets, Fact Sheets, DVD and video resources and a Nintendo Brain Game.

The Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Memory Van and experienced staff will be at:

• Ballina District Community Services Association Community Centre, 20 Bangalow Rd (next to IGA) on Tuesday, 9 March, from 1.30pm – 4pm
• Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club, Dalley Street, Mullumbimby, on Wednesday, 10 March, from 1pm – 4pm
• Byron Bay Plaza carpark, Jonson Street, on Thursday, 11 March, from 2pm – 4.30pm
• Ocean Village Shopping Centre, Rajah Road, Ocean Shores, on Friday, 12 March, from 9.30am – 12.30pm

1300 new cases of dementia are diagnosed a week in Australia and 1 in 3 Australians with dementia live in NSW. Dementia is a fatal disease and there is, as yet, no cure.

The Memory Van visit has been made possible by Community Development Support Expenditure funding from the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club.

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is the peak body for people with dementia and their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information.

Currently 257,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to double by 2030. 

National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500

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The terms of the petition brought to the NSW Labor Government’s attention:

• That the mobile Breast Screen Units have been removed from many areas of the North Coast Area Health Service;
• This removal is disadvantaging women in these areas and reducing their chances of an early diagnosis of breast cancer due to the difficulty experienced in trying to get to a fixed screening unit;
• An early diagnosis greatly increases a woman’s chance of survival; and
• Already less than 50% of eligible women are being screened.
   
  Mr Page said it was important to keep the campaign for reinstatement of the mobile breast screening vans active because it would save lives.

“I’ve raised the issue many times in Parliament and I will continue to put this important issue before the State Labor Government,” he said.

The issue was first raised by Mr Page in March last year and the campaign to have the mobile service returned has been growing ever since.

“My office is consistently contacted by concerned residents who can no longer access the mobile breast screen service. Many of them have difficulty accessing the fixed services in Lismore or Tweed Heads due to lack of transport, work and family commitments,” Mr Page said.

One in eight Australian women will develop breast cancer, with over 12,000 women diagnosed every year. 

There is a rally today in Ballina and Byron Bay to protest against the loss of the mobile breast screen vans since June 2008. 

“Parliament is sitting, so unfortunately I can’t be there to support the rally today. I will be continuing to raise this issue in Parliament as I have this week,” Mr Page said.

Meanwhile, Greens MP Ian Cohen will ask Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt about improving access for all Northern Rivers women to the new breast screen machines that are at Tweed Heads and Lismore.

Mr Cohen supports the concerns of residents who are protesting the removal of mobile screening units that serviced Ballina, Byron Bay, Lennox Head and Casino.

Women in the area now have to go to fixed breast screening units at Lismore or Tweed Heads for a mammogram.
 
“I will be putting Questions on Notice to the Health Minister because I am concerned about a reduction of access to breast screening services,” Mr Cohen said.

“I raised this issue in Parliament during Breast Cancer Awareness Week last year. I also wrote to the Minister about the issue. She assured me then that the mobile units have been replaced by state-of-the-art breast screening machines at Lismore and Tweed Heads.
 
“I will be asking the Health Minister further questions to determine whether these new machines could be put into mobile units. Women would then have the advantage of the new technology and the increased access that the mobile unit provides.
 
“Not all women in the Northern Rivers area have a car; there is poor public transport in the area and many women will find it very difficult to get to their nearest screening centre.
 
“It is important to increase the number of women who are coming to be screened for breast cancer. I am especially concerned about women from Indigenous communities in less accessible areas such as Cabbage Tree Island, for whom travel to Lismore is quite an expedition.
 
“Local women report that when there was a van in Ballina, a mammogram was a quick examination that took around 15 minutes. Just to travel to Lismore from Ballina will take 40 minutes each way.
 
“The message of all breast cancer awareness campaigns is that early detection is of paramount importance in determining a woman’s survival and recovery from the disease.

“I will be asking the Minister if the return of the mobile BreastScreen units can provide better health outcomes for women by making screening easier to access.”

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Ms Saffin said two of 83 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach workers nationally will join the Lismore-based Northern Rivers General Practice Network and Grafton’s Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation by the end of June.

“These  organisations  are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous people in the region, and these outreach workers will help increase community engagement with primary health care services,” Ms Saffin said.

“The Federal Government’s $805.5 million Indigenous Chronic Disease Package includes $42 million to fund a total of 160 such positions to build the capacity of the Indigenous health workforce over four years.

“We are putting resources on the ground to improve the prevention, early detection and management of chronic diseases which account for about two-thirds of premature deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases.”

Outreach staff will work to increase the uptake of Indigenous health checks and identify Indigenous people who would benefit from improved access to health services.

They will also assist Indigenous people to access other health services, including follow-up care, specialist services and pharmacies.

The workers will have access to nationally accredited basic level training through the vocational education and training sector. They can choose to develop career paths in the health sector by undertaking more advanced training as health workers or enrolled nurses.

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