More than 100 new nurses and midwives will begin working in Western NSW Local Health District hospitals this year as part of their annual new graduate intake.

WNSWLHD Nursing and Midwifery Transition and Workforce Manager, Jackie Corliss, said the recruits are part of the NSW Government’s record $2.8 billion investment to boost frontline health workers by 8,300, including 5,000 nurses and midwives, over four years.

In WNSWLHD the nurses and midwives will join hospitals at Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Coolah, Condobolin, Narromine, Peak Hill, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Coonamble, Walgett, Blayney, Cowra, Forbes, Rylstone, Parkes, Baradine, Collarenebri, Grenfell, Warren, and Mudgee. “The new graduates will work in all clinical areas including surgical, medical and paediatrics,” Jackie said.

This news must come as somewhat of a relief to Forbes residents. Since the Parkes Maternity unit has closed, Forbes Hospital continues to take on the maternity care for Forbes women as well as those from Parkes and some from as far as Condobolin. An astounding accomplishment with such a limited number of nurses and midwives, OBGYN’s and Anaesthetist’s being brought in from elsewhere. The lack of reliability and consistency is a concern for many.

It is no secret that healthcare in Western NSW is lacking in staff, resources and funding and this is all too apparent when one is faced with the results of such neglect. Hopefully Forbes will see significant, positive changes over the course of the plan.

Western NSW Local Health District is warning the public to take care against mosquito-borne viruses following recent heavy rains and associated flooding.

This increase in rain and flooding may result in an increase in mosquito breeding, particularly where there is pooled water. Much of the pooled water still remains in paddocks, on grassy roadsides and around the Ski Dam and Lake Forbes. Whilst being bitten is irritating, mosquitoes can carry disease such as Ross River, Barmah Forest Fever and Murray Valley Encephalitis.

These infections can cause symptoms ranging from tiredness, rash, fever, and sore or swollen joints. Symptoms usually resolve within several days, but some people may experience symptoms for weeks or even months. Infection with Murray Valley Encephalitis can cause more severe symptoms such as encephalitis.

Western NSW Local Health District Public Health Manager Priscilla Stanley advises residents and visitors to take preventative action to avoid being bitten.

Priscilla suggests people should protect themselves by screening all windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside, using spray when mosquitoes are inside and wearing appropriate clothing and using repellent when outdoors at dusk and dawn as this is when mosquitoes are most active. It is also important to have septic tanks professionally pumped if they were inundated by flood water and to ensure mesh is in place on septic vents.

Now that it is the start of a new school year, parents are preparing themselves for the inevitable back-to-school rush. But amid the dash for backpacks, books and last-minute haircuts, children’s sleep routines must also be high on the agenda if parents want to start kids off on the right foot.

University of South Australia researcher and sleep expert Dr Alex Agostini, says a good sleep routine is important for children’s emotional, physical and mental health, especially after school holidays.

“There are lots of positives that come with the school holidays, there are fewer time pressures, kids get to have a well-earned break from school and families spend more time together, but hand-in-hand with the holidays also comes irregular sleep, which can have an impact on children’s behaviours and abilities to operate well at school,” Dr Agostini says.

“Staying up late, watching TV and playing on computers, iPads or phones, are all common holiday activities, but as we enter a new school term, it’s time to initiate better sleep routines.”

The light from the screens on electronic devices is not conducive to sleep and they don’t have a set “end time” like a typical television show would, which means that children are encouraged to keep playing games or messaging friends on them. Putting away these devices an hour or more before bed time is one way to encourage healthy sleep.

Changing behaviours can be hard however, persistence is key. Parents and carers should remember that by establishing positive sleep routines, they’re setting their kids up for success.

NSW Health is urging parents and carers to ensure children are vaccinated on time and has warned vaccinations shouldn’t be delayed even if a child has a minor illness.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Executive Director, Health Protection NSW encouraged parents and carers to download the Save the Date to Vaccinate app to ensure their children receive vital vaccinations in time for the start of school. “On-time vaccinations are the most effective way to protect children from life-threatening diseases,” Dr McAnulty said.

“The free Save the Date to Vaccinate app reminds parents and carers what vaccinations their child needs and when they’re due, in line with the NSW Immunisation Schedule. If a child has a runny nose or slight cold, they can still get vaccinated. Delaying vaccinations can leave children exposed to serious illnesses at a time when they’re most vulnerable.”

Mother of two Lisa Smith, from Sydney’s north, said the Save the Date to Vaccinate app is a helpful reminder in a hectic schedule. “The Save The Date to Vaccinate app sends automatic reminders to my phone, it’s made it so much easier to schedule immunisation appointments, not forget them and have a record to hand of all the vaccinations my children have received.”

On-time vaccination and overall participation in childhood immunisation programs continues to improve in NSW, with 94.5 per cent of children fully vaccinated by five years of age in the past 12 months compared with 90.8 per cent in 2012.

Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which has invested approximately $130 million in the 2019-20 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines.

To kick off the new year, Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies are hosting a fantastic promotion. If you join LifeClub, or for existing members if you use your LifeClub card in-store, you’ll enter the draw to WIN free fuel for a year (valued at $3,000) or one of 20 $100 fuel vouchers.

“Being a LifeClub member has some really fantastic benefits,” said Flannery’s Pharmacy Manager, Debbie Prior. “Not only do you earn dollars for every non-script purchase, you also enter our regular competitions and receive member-only rewards,” said Debbie.

“Many people save up the dollars on their LifeClub card and spend them on Christmas or birthday gifts but it’s up to the individual how and when they spend their reward dollars.” Unlike many other reward cards, the total of your dollars is printed on your receipt which means you know exactly how many dollars you have at any given point in time and you don’t have to wait to get a voucher… the dollars are available when you want to spend them.

“Customers can use the card anytime to purchase products or prescriptions,” said Debbie. “LifeClub members also receive lots of special offers and a special triple dollar reward on their birthday,” Debbie said.

So don’t miss out. Call in to Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies and join up for your chance to win.

Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next perfume

Flannery’s Pharmacy has an amazing range of fragrances and bath and body gifts for you this Christmas.

“Our Pharmacy has a great range of fragrances and the team can provide advice and help you choose the perfect gift for your family and friends,” said Business Manager, Debbie Prior.

Flannery’s Pharmacy has the new Tiffany & Co, Ariana Grande Thank You, Next, Carolina Herrera Good Girl, My Burberry, Burberry Her and Mr Burberry fragrances as well as all your favourites such as CK Euphoria, CK Beauty, Jimmy Choo, Narciso Rodriguez and lots more.

“This year we have some new bath and body ranges as well as InEssence and Oil Garden diffusers and oils,” said Debbie.

The Pharmacy has a great range of girls’ and boys’ bath and body products as well as teacher gifts ideas. Why not let the friendly, helpful team at Flannery’s Pharmacy help you choose the perfect gift this Christmas? There is also a free gift-wrapping service available to customers who can use their LifeClub card to earn reward dollars.

The team at Flannery’s and Life Pharmacy would like to wish the Forbes community a very happy Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy 2020.

Christmas Trading Hours

FLANNERY’S PHARMACY
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: CLOSED
Friday 27th: 8.30am-5.30pm
Sat 28th: 9.00am -12.30pm
Sun 29th: CLOSED
Mon 30th: 8.30am-5.30pm
Tue 31st: 8.30am-5.30pm
NEW YEARS DAY: CLOSED
Thurs 1st Jan: 8.30am-5.30pm

LIFE PHARMACY
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: 10am – 1.00pm
Friday 27th: 8.30am-6.30pm
Sat 28th: 9.00am-1.00pm
Sun 29th: 10am-1.00pm
Mon 30th: 8.30am-6.30pm
Tue 31st: 8.30am-6.30pm
NEW YEARS DAY: CLOSED
Thurs 1st Jan: 8.30am-6.30pm

Dr Bernie Haberman and Dr Adam McKenzie of Chiropractic Life.

Chiropractic Life has recently opened practices in Parkes and Forbes. Chiropractic Life is a family focused practice where all can feel welcome and belong. We provide the tools and support to help our practice members achieve their health and wellness goals.

Dr Adam McKenzie opened the first Chiropractic Life practice in the Northern Territory in 2015. Since then Chiropractic Life has grown to support rural and regional communities of Australia. We have established practices in Cowra, Canowindra and Grenfell too.

We offer contemporary chiropractic health care focused on your body’s master control system: your nervous system. State of the art digital x-rays and motion study which couples together Roger Sperry’s Nobel Prize winning work that 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to your brain come from movement of your spine. We provide world leading health and wellness tools currently used by high performing athletes and business professionals across the globe. We are excited to announce that services com- ing soon to Forbes and Parkes include an iFloat Tank (sensory deprivation therapy), red-light therapy and an infrared sauna.

Chiropractic Life is heavily involved in each community we practice in with local sponsorship programs available for sporting clubs and support for community organisations. We also regularly offer free spinal health checks and business health talks where our doctors go out into the community to speak to locals about their structural function and wellness. As an entity we raise funds for charities such as Royal Children’s Hospital, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Australian College of Chiropractic, Spinal Health Research, New Zealand College of Chiropractic, Tan Ari, with initiatives such as our annual Christmas Toy Drive, workshops and Dinner with the Doc.

Pregnant women and their families in the Lachlan Health Service area are being reminded of some changes to maternity services at Parkes and Forbes Hospitals.

While a new maternity service model is being developed, babies from Parkes, Forbes and surrounding communities will be born at Forbes Hospital where midwifery, obstetric and anaesthetic services are available around the clock. Lachlan Health Service Manager, Liz Mitchell, said work on the new Lachlan Maternity Service was progressing and the community would receive regular updates. “We will be working hard to further develop our Midwifery group practice ‘Know your Midwife’ services in 2020, and in the interim we want women and families to have accurate information about how to access the maternity services they need,” said Liz.

Birthing is not currently available at Parkes Hospital. However, procedures are in place to respond to emergencies. Parkes Hospital continues to provide women with pre and post-natal care and fortnightly clinics. In the future, women will be able to choose to have their babies in Parkes Hospital if the pregnancy and birth are assessed to be low risk. If an induction of labour or a caesarean section is required, then this would occur in Forbes.

During each pregnancy, an assessment is made to identify the safest location for birth, taking into consideration the wellbeing of both mother and baby. In some cases, where a higher-level care is needed, this may be Orange Hospital or, on occasion, Nepean Hospital. Anyone with questions about how to access maternity services in Parkes or Forbes is encouraged to contact their local health services: Parkes Hospital 6861 2400; Forbes Hospital 6850 7100.

Did you know that Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies offer a complimentary service to make it easier for you to organise and order your prescriptions?

“We have always been able to keep customer’s scripts on file” said Pharmacist, Tracey Edwards, “however, we are also able to offer a handy phone app which helps people easily manage their prescription and other medications”.

Through the phone app, you can receive automatic reminders when it’s time to refill or replenish your scripts. “It’s a great way of keeping track of your medications and repeats” said Tracey. “Ordering with the app means that your medication is ready to be collected when it’s convenient for you”.

“Many customers have large numbers of prescriptions or lose prescriptions so the EasyScript service provides peace of mind and convenience” said Tracey.

“Your scripts are kept safely at the Pharmacy and you can organise your refills on the go with your new app” said Tracey.

Want to know more? Call in to Flannery’s or Life Pharmacies and ask about our EasyScript service.