No rural health Ombudsman but a new panel and 10,000 more staff
The NSW Government has finalised its response to the parliamentary Upper House’s Rural Health Inquiry (reported in NorDocs Winter 2022), confirming it support for 41 of the 44 recommendations but declining to support a request to strengthen the Health Administration Ombudsman amidst massive, publicised failings in the system.
Saying the Perrottet government is on track to address identified shortages, the Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said it recognises the findings of the Inquiry and is taking meaningful action to provide safe and high quality health care services in the bush.
‘It is my absolute priority to ensure that, no matter where you live in our state, you have access to the health services that you need and deserve,” Mrs Taylor said.
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Read more: No rural health Ombudsman but a new panel and 10,000 more staff
Local MPS upgrades will enhance rest and recreation
By mid-2023 aged care residents at Kyogle Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) will be enjoying better shared activity and entertainment spaces thanks to upgrades now under way.
One focus is a purpose-built residents’ lounge that will provide both indoor and outdoor spaces to allow residents and their families and carers to exercise, relax or share a quiet moment away from the busy dining room.
Executive Officer/ Director of Nursing for the MPS Network, Nancy Martin, said the upgrades would provide residents with a safe area in which to connect with loved ones, or sit peacefully in reflection.
‘Best practice care for older people, including those who may be living with dementia, involves having a variety of spaces which are suited to specific activities, such as eating and drinking, relaxing and resting,’ Ms Martin said.
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Read more: Local MPS upgrades will enhance rest and recreation
Extreme sports can be extremely good for us
Dr Eric Brymer is one of the experts who featured in Risk and Reward episode of SBS television’s Insight program.
Photo: SBS Insight.
Tossing up and then largely dismissing such terms as adrenaline junkie, thrill seeker and undue risk taker, Southern Cross University psychologist Dr Eric Brymer, believes because the real motivations of people pursuing “extreme sports” don’t conform to our perceptions.
Dr Brymer is no stranger to those people who leap off mountains, surf outsized waves, jump out of planes or free-dive to unbelievable depths.
Working out of SCU’s Gold Coast campus, Dr Brymer, the new course coordinator of the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours program, shared his expertise with a national audience on SBS television’s Insight program in an episode titled “Risk and Reward”. The show aired on Tuesday June 21.
‘The popular conception for extreme sports participation is risking one’s life and chasing the adrenalin rush,’ Dr Brymer said.
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New mental health hubs launched
In late July 2022 the NSW Government and Healthy North Coast launched four new community support and wellbeing hubs across the Northern Rivers region to offer mental health support and build community resilience.
Established and funded by Healthy North Coast through the NSW Government’s Northern NSW Flood Recovery Program, the four ‘Safe Haven’ hubs will be delivered and managed by local organisation, The Buttery.
Located in Lismore, Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby and Woodburn, Safe Haven hubs will offer a free ‘drop-in’ service that operates 7 days a week, from 12-6pm.
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Water, water everywhere
The cover of this issue depicts the complex river systems of the Far North Coast. The caput medusae (resulting from an obstruction that leads to engorgement of the upstream vessels) of the Wilson River at Lismore has had repeated, and often unpredicted, severe consequences for decades. The flood waters from this system combine with those of the Richmond River to inundate the other townships downstream. All settlements and much farmland on the North Coast have been affected either directly or indirectly.
On 23 June 2022 NorDocs held its first face to face meeting in almost three years. “Flood Docs” brought together over 60 GPs, specialists, residents, politicians and health administrators from around the region to discuss the devastation of the February-March flood, its aftermath and its effect on the community and the provision of medical care.
Congratulations go to the organising committee of Nathan Kesteven, Dave Glendinning and Sue Velovski, and to master of ceremonies, Peter Silberberg. Special thanks goes to NorDocs administrator, Linda Ward, for all her work in making the meeting such a great success.
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- Written by David Guest
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