Clinical nurse and child and family health consultant, Anne Roth and Meagan Evans, clinical nurse specialist for child and family health WNSWLHD.

Keeping new parents connected during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) Child and Family Health Nurses developing a new way of working.

The WNSWLHD is now offering first time parent’s access to a Virtual New Parent Group.

WNSWLHD, Consultant Child and Family Health Clinical Nurse, Anne Roth said, “New Parents Groups are normally provided face to face in centres across the WNSWLHD and we’ve had a great response to the first group, with 52 first time parents registering since it started on 22 April.”

COVID-19 has meant that these face to face groups can no longer operate as normal but the need to stay connected is more important than ever.

“This is particularly important for new parents who can feel vulnerable at this time. It may be hard right now for them to know how to balance the joy and excitement of having a new baby with the fear caused by this unprecedented global pandemic,” Anne said.

The Group is led by Meagan Evans a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Child and Family Health and is held weekly over four weeks with each session running for 90 minutes.

There has been a 42% increase in demand for services at CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes (CCWF) since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I couldn’t be prouder of how quickly our team adapted to make sure support and services were still being delivered at a time when our many communities needed us most,” CCWF CEO, Anne-Marie Mioche said.

“Our team responded quickly and pro-actively and implemented really engaging new ways of supporting our clients through phone support, web-based interactions, video conferencing, social media, online help, in home resource packs and more,” Anne-Marie said.

“Our organisation was started in a time of  serious drought, to address stress and depression in what is considered the poorest diocese in Australia. We continue to meet these needs by providing a range of parenting and family services, playgroups, housing, domestic and family violence, financial counselling, and mental health support from 14 offices and outreach centres covering 52% of NSW.

The innovation and genuine positive problem solving is an absolute credit to the hard working and resilient team members at CCWF who are out facing some community’s largest and most challenging issues.

Kristen Smith was awarded Western NSW Local Health District Midwife of the Year.

Health services around NSW are coming together to honour the work of our nurses and midwives.

With International Day of the Midwife on 5 May and International Nurses Day on 12 May, this is the perfect time to celebrate.

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) Midwife of the Year was awarded to Kristine Smith from Lachlan Health Service on Tuesday, 5 May for her hard work and dedication over 43 years of service.

WNSWLHD Executive Director of Quality, Clinical Safety and Nursing, Associate Professor Adrian Fahy, said: “We should be incredibly proud of our nurses and midwives across Western New South Wales Local Health District who have proven their tenacity and resilience especially through this COVID-19 pandemic.”

“This week we should celebrate them and personally thank them for the contribution that they make across the many settings in our rural environment.”

Nurses are the ‘Healing Hearts’ of the NSW Health service.

Blue and purple hearts will pop up in Western NSW Hospitals in the form of stickers, posters and postcards this month. The Healing Heart postcards provide a way to recognise and thank nurses and midwives for their unique contribution.

Forbes Shire residents and businesses are now able to access a COVID-19 Local Assistance hotline through Forbes Shire Council by calling 02 6850 2393. The hotline number is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm.

The service will provide answers to queries about services and advice available to residents during this pandemic.

“This is the biggest health challenge Forbes has ever endured and it isn’t just impacting individuals, but businesses as well,” says Forbes Shire Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “We want to help all residents to ensure they are led to the correct information regarding their situation. With so many sources available for people it is hard to know what services are available to whom.”

“The Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) has met twice already to work through the future challenges the local community shall endure in the coming months. They identified that there are vulnerable members of the community in our area and LEMC wishes to support them and their challenges. This may include but not limited to food, medical supplies and essentials.”

A customer service officer will lead callers to the relevant government departments or charity service groups that are providing assistance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The services available include;
• Groceries
• Prescription medical supplies
• Prepared meals
• Financial counselling
• Parenting services
• Men’s support
• Accommodation/Homelessness and domestic violence
• Men’s Health Early Intervention
• Financial assistance available from the State and Federal Government

“A lot of people feel they have lost trust in the Internet and random phone calls promising to help,” says Mayor Miller. “Residents know they can trust Forbes Shire Council; they have the best interests of residents at heart.”

Philip Donato is calling for the government to waive annual registration fees for our nurses’ and healthcare professionals.

Deputy Leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party and Member for Orange Philip Donato MP has called on the Government to waive annual registration fees for our nurses and other essential registered healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our nurses and other healthcare professionals are working around the clock while under constant threat of the deadly Coronavirus,” said Phil.

“We value and appreciate what our nurses do to care for the sick and injured, even in ordinary times. But we now find ourselves in extraordinary times. In these extraordinary times our nurses continue to front for work despite the risks they now face with the potential for infection of COVID-19.”

Phil applauded nurses’ dedication to their profession and to the unyielding number of patients for whom they care, adding “It should be of no surprise that because of their tremendous work ethic and mantra of putting their patients first and foremost that nurses are considered the most trusted profession in Australia.”

“In light of the increased risks our registered nurses and healthcare professionals now face, and as a gesture of our sincere appreciation for what they do, their annual registration fees should be immediately waived.”

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) works with 15 National Boards to help protect the public by regulating registered health practitioners across Australia. The registration of Nurses and Midwives is managed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), through which an annual $175 registration fee is paid by nurses and midwives.

“We have all stood and clapped to applaud nurses and health care professionals for their brave and tireless work in caring for the COVID-19 patients and other sick or injured patients, so now let’s give them a well earned waive on their annual registration fees too,” Phil said.

The lockdown and social distancing rules have changed the way we go about our day to day business, but for a demographic of women in our community, this time can induce more fear and uncertainty than most will experience. Pregnancy and childbirth in Forbes can be uncertain on an average day, with resources, staff and facilities stretched to accommodate women in Forbes and surrounding towns. It is not uncommon for women with high-risk pregnancies to be sent to Dubbo and Orange to give birth.

Now women face the additional challenges of giving birth during a pandemic. Birthing in lockdown has been met with both confusion and praise. Praise for the exceptional work that the midwives, staff and Obstetricians at Forbes Hospital do, and the care they provide to women during their most vulnerable time. There is also confusion surrounding the rules once women return home. While in hospital, the rules are clear, no visitors except for one support person. However, upon returning home, one Forbes mother of two found herself stuck.

Recovering from a Caesarean delivery with a one-year-old at home and a partner who works away for days at a time, Forbes woman Umima Austral found herself confused and concerned. Relying on family for care and assistance meant she needed visitors in her home, “Are they (the police) going to come and knock on my door be- cause there are four cars parked at my house?” she wondered.

Many have criticised both a lack of transparency and enforcement around lockdown rules and as it stands, seems to be a learning experience for both the public and law enforcement. In the coming weeks and months, we should see a rhythm take place and a sense of normality gained as the Forbes community adjusts to life in lockdown.

Businesses across the Orange electorate are being encouraged to join the fight against COVID-19 and start producing much needed medical equipment for NSW. Member for Orange Phil Donato MP said the unprecedented global demand on much needed medical supplies had seen traditional suppliers now unable to fill urgent orders to service NSW.

“Hand sanitiser, handwash, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing, masks, eyewear and paper products are now in such high demand,” Phil said.

“The NSW Government is now calling on local businesses in the Orange electorate to convert their production lines to make these products to fill the gap. The products required urgently include hand sanitiser, handwash, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing, paper products and masks.”

Phil said this was also a great way for businesses who may be seeing a downturn in revenue due to COVID-19 to adapt and remain strong during these uncertain times.

“This is a great way for businesses to diversify and keep as many workers in a job as possible. Businesses who are able to join the fight against COVID-19 are urged to register their interest at www.nsw.gov.au.”