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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Ms Saffin and State Member for Lismore Thomas George inspected the near-completed Integrated Cancer Care Centre at the hospital, where they received a briefing from North Coast Area Health Service CEO Chris Crawford.

One of Ms Saffin’s major election commitments was $15 million in Commonwealth funding to fast-track the cancer care centre so that it will be operational from the end of May this year. The NSW Government’s contribution is $12 million.

Ms Saffin said the $2.7 million ELEKTA linear accelerator – the single most expensive equipment item in the project – will increase the availability of radiation oncology services and improve health outcomes for cancer patients in our region.

“This new machine in Lismore will be linked with similar technologies in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, giving the people of Page easy access to the highest quality, safe radiation oncology services,” she said.

“Two new technical specialists, medical physicist Nick Bennie and deputy chief radiation therapist Stephen Manley, have joined the cancer care centre. Over the next three months, the linear accelerator will be commissioned and new frontline staff will be trained.”

Associate Professor Tom Shakespeare will also commence the first Lismore Radiation Oncology Clinic in April.

The linear accelerator will be housed in one of the centre’s two bunkers, which has capacity for a second linear accelerator in the future.

The radiation oncology service will also include a CT scanner for radiotherapy planning, an X-ray unit to treat skin cancers and associated work spaces integrated with the existing cancer care unit that will relocate to the new cancer care centre in May.

The Integrated Cancer Care Centre is being built by National Buildplan Group with the project managed by Health Infrastructure NSW and directed by NSW Public Works.

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Mr George said politicians will be joining the cause and wearing their teal ribbon on Wednesday 24 February 2010 to support sufferers and raise the importance of prevention.

“There are 1500 women in Australia diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and more than half will die from the disease,” Mr George said.

“The goal of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is to see that every woman in Australia knows the symptoms of ovarian cancer because an early detection significantly increases the chances of a full recovery.”

Mr George said certain women are at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, so knowing the warning signs and the myths surrounding ovarian cancer could save a life.

“Women who are at highest risk are those who have a history of cancer in the family, particularly ovarian, breast or bowel cancer, as approximately 10 per cent of ovarian cancer cases are due to an inherited gene fault found effecting one in 500 Australians,” he said.

“Women over 45 are unfortunately more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer but there have been girls as young as seven diagnosed, so all women must be aware of the disease.

“Unlike cervical cancer, there is no test for ovarian cancer and so, until there is a test, awareness is the only tool we have in preventing deaths by ovarian cancer.

“Watching out for lower abdominal or pelvis pain or bloating, frequent urination and feeling full quickly or finding it difficult to eat could assist in early detection of ovarian cancer as these are the major signs that ovarian cancer may be present.

“Other reported symptoms include excessive fatigue, weight loss or gain, change in bowel or menstrual habits, vague but persistent stomach upsets such as wind, nausea, heartburn or indigestion.”

Mr George said that those wishing to donate, order teal ribbons or find out more could do so by calling 1300 660 334 or visiting www.ovariancancer.net.au or phone the electorate office on 66213624 for a fact sheet.

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Ms Saffin said: “I am delighted to be able to turn the first sod for the long-awaited Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment work. It is an election promise to our Clarence Valley community and today’s sod turning with the immediate start of works that can be seen by the community makes it a seeing is believing reality.

“This is an election commitment made by me, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Health Nicola Roxon that gives me the greatest of pleasure. The people of Grafton fought hard for this and I am delivering.

“I especially thank the hospital’s Medical Council Chair, Dr Allan Tyson, former Grafton City mayor Shirley Adams OAM, former Clarence Valley mayor Cr Ian Tiley and current Clarence Valley Mayor Cr Richie Williamson for their strong support, and all those people who worked to ensure that the development of Grafton Base Hospital stayed on the political agenda.”

Ms Saffin’s shovel work on the surgical services construction site was also welcomed by health administrators, including NSW Public Works regional project manager Kevin Plummer, North Coast Area Health Service CEO Chris Crawford and Grafton Base staff, including Director of Nursing Beryl Jordan and new Executive Officer Dan Madden.

State Member for Clarence Steve Cansdell was an apology as he had a prior commitment in Sydney.

Ms Saffin confirmed that a total of $2.4 million had been spent on early works to pave the way for the redevelopment.

These early works included:

$600,000 for Ballina-based TF Woollams’ fit-out of public mental health services which have been relocated from Grafton Base to the nearby Aruma site.

And $400,000 on decommissioning old steam boilers at the hospital and replacing them with a natural gas heating system, reducing carbon emissions.

Ms Saffin said prior to a start-up workshop at the hospital on Monday, January 18, main works building contractor, Lahey Constructions, had already set out up to 20 concrete footings for the operating theatres.

“Health Infrastructure NSW delivery project manager Phil Cortis advises that work will start on the Emergency Department by the end of February, meaning that the two medical facilities will be built and fitted out almost concurrently,” she said.

“Lahey Constructions is a family company based in Kempsey with 30 years’ experience in building public facilities in New South Wales, and currently has contracts for Gosford Mental Health and the Coonamble Hospital redevelopment.

“Lahey’s project manager Vaughan Hitchings will have up to 40 tradespeople and apprentices on site at Grafton Base, and has a policy of employing local people wherever possible.

“The challenge is to minimise any disruptions to the hospital’s normal operations throughout 2010, so the Health Service will keep the community regularly informed about the redevelopment’s progress and any special arrangements which need to be put in place.

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But Amy, a Lismore-based second-year student studying for her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science in the School of Health and Human Sciences, has had her first research project supported by a Summer Scholarship from the Heart Foundation.

Titled ‘An evaluation of central blood pressure in cardiac rehabilitation’, the project will be conducted in conjunction with the cardiac rehabilitation unit at Lismore Base Hospital over January and February, supervised by University staff Dr Rosanne Coutts and Mr Kade Davison.

The pilot project aims to investigate the efficacy of measures of blood pressure using new technology called ‘pressure pulse waveform’.

The SphygmoCor pressure pulse waveform unit provides a tool for the non-invasive assessment of the cardiovascular system, focused on central blood pressures and measures of arterial stiffness and autonomic function.

Because it measures central blood pressure, it has been shown to be a superior predictor of cardiovascular function and beneficial in the management of patients with hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, high-risk pregnancy, drug therapy management and cardiovascular disease conditions.

“I am really thrilled to have been given this opportunity so early in my studies,” Amy said.

“I chose to study at Southern Cross University because I am interested in health and the human body and how it works, so this is the perfect course for me and I am really glad I chose it.

“The experience has been exciting and rewarding so far and I have enjoyed great support from my lecturers and supervisors, who gave me tremendous guidance and encouragement in putting the research proposal to the Heart Foundation and helping to train me in the use of the equipment.

“I will be using the equipment on patients at the hospital and evaluating the results to see if this technology provides improved data to assist in managing various conditions.

“Southern Cross University has purchased the equipment and will be using it this year for both student training and in its new public health clinic, so it will be good to be have the research outcomes from my project to better inform how the equipment can be effectively used.”

Students can still apply to study at Southern Cross University this year. The university provides a range of flexible study options.

For anyone considering studying their degree by distance education, applications can be made directly to the university.

The Direct Application Form can be downloaded from the website and applications are open throughout January and into February. Personalised campus tours can be booked at any of the campuses by phoning 02 6620 3975.

Information about courses and how to apply to SCU is available at www.scu.edu.au/studyin2010

Anyone with questions about their applications or changing preferences should contact student services on 1800 626 481.

PICTURE: Amy Coy is undertaking research on the new pressure pulse waveform technology for testing blood pressure.

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Ms Saffin said she was delighted that work on one of her key election commitments – new operating theatres and a new emergency department – was expected to start in January 2010, and if all went according to plan, would be completed by early 2011.

Ms Saffin today joined Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and NSW Minister for Health Carmel Tebbutt in announcing this milestone in the project, which has a total cost of $19.735 million.

“My original election commitment was for $18 million, and I convinced project managers Health Infrastructure NSW to direct $1.2 million in interest earned to further consolidate this very important project for Grafton and the Clarence Valley,” she said.

The NSW Government has contributed a further $500,000 towards the planning process.

Ms Saffin paid tribute to Grafton Base’s clinicians, particularly Medical Staff Council Chair Dr Allan Tyson, nurses and administrative staff for their efforts in ensuring that the local community will get access to top-level health care.

“I also value the contributions of the Grafton Community Health Committee, led by Shirley Adams OAM, Clarence Valley Mayor Cr Richie Williamson, Health Infrastructure NSW, and the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS), including its Clarence-based Advisory Council member Sandra Woods,” she said.

“Grafton Base plays a vital role in providing for the majority of acute health needs for more than 50,000 people who live in the Valley and these facilities will help relieve some of the pressure on health services.”

Ms Saffin said the Rudd Government was committed to nationwide health reform and had already taken action by:

·       Increasing health and hospitals funding by 50 per cent to a record $64 billion.

·       A $600-million injection to cut elective surgery waiting time.

·       More funds to train much needed doctors and nurses.

·       $3.2 billion for additional health infrastructure.

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The draw of 110 surfers from as far south as Victoria’s West Coast to the hot North of Noosa Heads rocked out in the sun to 70s whaling guitar riffs, riding pre-80s surfboards and proudly wearing their groomed moustaches, all in a bid for the most sought-after piece of iconic surfing meMOrabilia, the 2009 ‘STYLEMOSTER’ modallion.

From the 7am meet at Lighthouse carpark, Ballina, where prizes are awarded for the best arrival, it was on!

Starting with Moses and his 10 comMOndments, loudly interrupted by the 4-mo strong Mo Mads (Bikey Gang) muscling their way through the crowded carpark hurling eggs and abuse to the onlooking surfers, Evil Monevil soon stunt-rolled his way through the carpark after rolling in from the top of the hill on a kids bike that stopped traffic and resulted in a fire-extinguishing.

Mobi Wan Kenobi used the force of his 62 EJ Holden riding in on the roof, cape flowing and lightsaber drawn.

Rollerbladers wearing G-Strings and carrying single fins also put in an entry but it was Mo-Joe Hudson’s literally back-scrapping entry into the carpark covered in blood after an unsuccessful attempt at bombing the hill on his skatey that took it out!

Heats then rolled out like Balinesse ‘rubber time’, with exceptional hand jives, cheetah fives and countless cockroaches on each and every wave.

In the absence of defending surf format champion ‘Des-Troy’ Brooks, it was Brains Aboody who mesMOrised the crowd with this year’s only 100-point ride (only the second ever in the gathering’s history), diving off his board mid-wave into a school of trevally and landing the catch of the day!

Early calls went out for this to be automatic seeding into the finals but speculation surrounded the authenticity of Brains’s MO!

The Movember Gift (50m nude sprint) was again won by 3 x Gift champion Mo-Lester, and as usual was closely watched by all the Mo Sistas lining the Beach.

Best Mo from the gathering went to Morning of the Mo regular Moses (MOllumbimby), for his perfectly groomed and styled number.

Event history was made in the first-ever Mo Sista’s expression session, held MOments before the final.

Full-piece 70s cheetah costumes, terry towelling and crocheted bikinis filled the line-up for half an hour, showing the hairy lipped onlookers that beauty does exist hair-free in the ocean!

With very little separating all Mo Sistas, it was Burleigh Heads’ Notorious Jazz Widow taking out the inaugural win.

By this time the large crowd had secured their vantage position on the rocks lining the Shellywatu point, hilarities from the commentary of Nuggee’s DJ Eddie filled the air as the six finalists stood looking out, awaiting their individual song from the twin MOshall amps to signal the start of the final.

Three locals – Eddie Would Mo, Frosty the Mo Man, Evil Monevil – and 3 Mo-Ins – Hans Hedermo (Burleigh Heads), Moe Goreng (Bali) and Peter Mownend (Gold Coast) from the Monzed Aussies made up the final.

In a see-sawing battle it was 3 x Finalist, first-time winner Peter Mownend (James Lewis) who after years of falling a whisker short, deservedly felt the cold sensation of the modallions’ steely make swing proudly below his mo.

The mood was now set with a day spent with toes in the sand, salt water and air providing natural wax to all the mos and sauce-drenched snags from the legends at Coles lining the bellies, it was time to board the bus to Byron and party.

DJ Eddie rocked the party the only way he knows how, Loud and Proud, dropping dance-floor classics for all who filled the newly renovated Buddha Bar.

Prizes were flung into the crowd for best-dressed Mo Bro’s and Sista’s and the largely contended dance comp as usual didn’t disappoint, and all who considered themselves in contention for the ‘STYLEMOSTER’ were taking it to the extreme.

Once the low haze liquid from the smoke machine had settled, it was defending champion Bob Moley, newly named for the 2009 gathering Mobi Wan Kenobi (Bobby Reynolds, Rose Bay) who took out the hotly contest field to walk away with his second back-to-back ‘STYLEMOSTER’ Modallion and perpetual Prostate Brown Jacket.

Through a combination of participation, holding character throughout all the gathering’s events and raising well over $1000 in personal donations, earning himself a place in the record books and a 5’10” beautifully polished Morning Star, Tom Carroll Model Single Fin Surfboard, especially made for the event by 2 x World Surfing Champion Tom Carroll and Brett Warner.

We thank all who attended the day to help celebrate men’s health and awareness and the effort that went into recreating the 70s vibe on the beach, and the supporting sponsors who helped make it happen, Quiksilver, Coles, Cool Ridge, Billabong, Le Specs and Coastal Watch.

Through your support and participation we were able to donate over $7000 to Movember’s beneficiary partners – The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Beyondblue.

See you for the 5th next year.

PICTURES (from top): Eddie Would Mo, winner Peter Mownend, the Mo Sistas, best arrival, 100-point ride, dance comp.

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New figures mapping the impact of the dementia epidemic in NSW were presented to Federal parliamentarians representing NSW Federal Electorates at Parliament House Australia this morning.

The NSW coast is expected to be the area hardest hit in the State by dementia, according to the figures, prepared for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW by Access Economics.

This means that a large proportion of the respite, support services, community care and aged residential care needed for people with dementia will fall outside the metropolitan areas of NSW, said the CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, John Watkins.

“We know that, historically, regional areas do not generally receive the same level of service as metropolitan areas,” Mr Watkins said.

“We must plan now for dementia tsunami that is headed straight for us.”

The figures, prepared for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW by Access Economics, detail dementia prevalence estimates for Federal electorates across NSW.

The Richmond, Lyne, Cowper, Gilmore, Page and Dobell electorates – which are all in regional NSW – are in the top 10 Federal electorates for dementia prevalence in NSW now and are expected to remain in the top 10 by 2050.

In the Sydney metropolitan area, the figures suggest that the western and south-western areas will be hardest hit. The Federal electorates of Reid, Chifley, Lindsay, Mitchell, Macarthur and Werriwa will have an expected increase of between 400% and 750% in terms of dementia prevalence by mid-century.

Without a significant medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia in NSW is expected to quadruple from about 84,000 people today, to 341,000 by 2050. Nationally that figure is expected to exceed 1.13 million by 2050.

“Make no mistake, dementia will be disease of the century and will have a huge impact on the health and social welfare system,” Mr Watkins said.
 
“We need urgent action now to plan for the enormous impact dementia will have. We also need to make sure the planning for future service delivery is based on where the burden is going to fall.”

The figures were presented to Federal parliamentarians representing NSW Federal Electorates at a briefing Parliament House Australia this morning.

Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, also spoke at the briefing.

The numbers support Access Economics’ figures recently released by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW which detailed dementia estimates in NSW State electorates.

“These figures indicate to us that the dementia epidemic is here,” Mr Watkins said.

“Because of the ageing population, there will be significant growth in the number of people with dementia in every single electorate across the State.

“The NSW Federal electorate with the least number of people with dementia in 2050 will still have more than the NSW Federal electorate with the most number of people this year.

“There are no winners.”

Mr Watkins said funding was urgently needed for more services for people with dementia and their carers and for more research to find a cure for dementia, or to delay the onset of the disease.

“We must act now to stem the tide of this debilitating and devastating disease,” Mr Watkins said.

“Dementia does not just affect the person with the diagnosis, but has a profound impact on their families and friends who must not only watch the person they love slowly slip away, but, often, must undertake the very difficult job of caring for them.”

The preparation of the figures was co-funded by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, Pfizer and Novartis by an unconditional grant.

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

Currently 245,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to double by 2030. 

National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500

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