The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is urging all eligible Australians to get their flu shot following an alarming number of flu cases across the country.

In the first quarter of 2024 there were 26,836 influenza cases reported by the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS).

By February, case numbers were already double the number than what was reported the same time last year.

Pharmacy Guild National President Professor Trent Twomey says Australians should get ahead of the flu season and get their vaccination now.

“The flu season typically runs from May to October,” Professor Twomey said.

“However, flu vaccines for the 2024 season are available now in community pharmacies across Australia.

Professor Twomey said that getting vaccinated ahead of the flu season is important for protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu and its complications.

“Although the vaccine will last throughout the year, it is most effective in the first three to four months following its administration.”

According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), people who received an influenza vaccine in late 2023 are still recommended to get the flu vaccine in 2024.

ATAGI also advises that flu vaccines can be given on the same day as other vaccines, such as COVID.

The Australian Government funds influenza vaccines for eligible patients under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Further information will be available from the Department of Health and Aged Care when NIP-funded influenza vaccines become available.

Ask your community pharmacist about your flu vaccine or visit www.findapharmacy.com.au to book an appointment.

Forbes residents are lucky to now have increased access to nursing services without the need for long waiting times.

Three nurses, with varying specialties including child and family health, and aged care, are now available to help patients at Flannery’s and Life Pharmacies in Forbes.

The service is designed to provide the community with an alternative walk-in clinic, allowing residents in the Forbes and surrounding areas to access additional healthcare support without an appointment.

Registered Nurse, Claire Nicholson, is based at Life Pharmacy each Tuesday to assist with child and family related matters such as breast-feeding support, nutrition, sleep and settling support. Claire also provides vaccinations, blood pressure checks, and wound care.

Registered Midwife, Evin Penney, is at Flannery’s Pharmacy each Thursday and offers support for new parents including breastfeeding and baby weights. Evin also provides vaccinations, blood pressure checks and wound care.

While Brian Dunn, who is an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse with over 12 years experience in aged care, will be available at Flannery’s each weekday to assist with mobility aids, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), blood pressure and glucose level checks, incontinence, and wound care.

As we approach the winter months, those aged over six months are also recommended to receive an annual influenza vaccination.

Flu vaccines are available, without charge, under the National Immunisation Program for all children aged 6 months and under five years; all adults over 65 years; and specific populations aged five to 65 years, who are at increased risk of complications from influenza – that is, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those who have certain medical conditions and pregnant women.

A fee may apply for those not eligible under the NIP. Flannery’s Pharmacy can vaccinate anyone 10 years and older. Families with younger children please contact Life Pharmacy to book an appointment.

The Best for the Bush: Rural and Remote Health Baseline 2023 released by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) today, shows the alarming health disparities between the 30 per cent of the Australian population living in rural, regional and remote areas and those living in cities, which aligns with the National Rural Health Alliance’s (the Alliance) call for geographic health equity.

“The Best for the Bush report demonstrates the massive health underspend in rural areas that contributes to a heavy burden of disease and shorter life expectancy. Most of these diseases are preventable with better access to primary health care,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.

The report refers to the Alliance’s Evidence base for additional investment in rural health in Australia (Nous report) which shows that rural Australians are missing out on $6.55 billion ($850 per person) each year in health care.

“The government needs to step up its funding for rural health in a sustainable and flexible manner, without having ad hoc projects on the ground that only become band-aids.

“We stand with the RFDS in its recommendations for expanded health funding that would help remove barriers to healthcare access. The Alliance and others are working to develop minimum standards for healthcare access and we’re keen on taking this project forward with the government.

“We propose the Primary care Rural Integrated Multidisciplinary Health Services (PRIM-HS) model, which addresses the complexities in rural and remote community health service delivery, as each rural community has different health needs.

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has expressed serious concerns for the health welfare of regional, rural and remote Australians after the Minister for Health, Mark Butler, said Australians should just “ring around” to find a bulk-billing GP in their area.

It comes after the Minister moved the goalposts regarding Distribution Priority Areas for GPs – bringing Newcastle, Wollongong and some suburbs of Sydney into the scheme therefore stripping doctors from the regions – forcing of community pharmacies to pick up the tab for its 60-day medicine dispensing policy – putting services in regional communities under threat.

“The Health Minister, through his own words, has shown a complete disdain of those who live, work and pay taxes in regional, rural and remote Australia,” Mr McCormack said.

“This is cold comfort for those in the Central West who may only have access to one GP or have to travel many kilometres to even see a doctor, let alone have the luxury of choice.

“It is clear the Health Minister is being directed by the Australian Medical Association along with his fellow Labor Ministers who are led by the nose by their union puppet masters.

Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is reminding people to be cautious and have a plan to beat the heat during extreme temperatures forecast across the region for the rest of the week and into the weekend. 

Priscilla Stanley, WNSWLHD Public Health Director, said temperatures are expect to reach upward of, and in some areas above, 40 degrees Celsius across the District in the coming days. 

Ms Stanley urged people to understand how heat can affect their health and take precautions, particularly those at greater risk like older people, people with existing medical conditions, pregnant women, babies and young people, outdoor workers and socially-isolated people. 

“This summer is predicted to be very hot. For a lot of our District this appears to be one of the first real tastes of that extreme weather, so I encourage everyone to take the risk of heat-related illness seriously,” Ms Stanley said. 

“Heat can impact anyone and it puts a lot of stress on the body. It causes dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. These conditions can cause serious illness, hospital admission or even death and extreme heat can make underlying health conditions worse.” 

New Beyond Blue data reveals one in five people’s mental health is being extremely impacted by the rising cost of living. A new community survey commissioned by Beyond Blue found financial pressures are the number one stressor for people as we head towards the end of year. 

The survey found, the overwhelming majority (77 per cent) say they feel stressed heading into the end of the year – almost a third feel “quite a bit” or “extremely” stressed. 

83 per cent report the rising cost of living is negatively impacting their mental health, with one in five respondents reporting that impact is extreme. People aged 18 – 49 were more likely to report the cost of living was having a negative impact on their mental health, and almost a third of all respondents say they are unlikely to put a plan in place to manage their mental health. 

Beyond Blue’s Clinical Spokesperson Dr Grant Blashki said “Beyond Blue is prepared for an increase in demand for its support service this month”. 

“Last December, we saw a 41 per cent increase on the monthly average in contacts to the Beyond Blue Support Service, and we expect the same, if not more, this year,” said Dr Blashki. 

“As the holiday season approaches, financial stress is having a significant impact on people’s mental health, it’s a time of great reflection, loneliness for some, and impossible financial expectations for others, such as buying presents or travelling to see family”. 

*The Ipsos Community Sentiment Poll surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 people in November. 

Lifeline and Beyond Blue are linking up under a new partnership to make it easier and more efficient for people to find the support that best suits them. 

Community demand for mental health and crisis support rises and resources become increasingly tight, Lifeline and Beyond Blue have designed their new strategic directions to be complementary. 

Lifeline will continue to focus on supporting people in crisis and Beyond Blue will continue to focus on prevention and earlier intervention, supporting people at the first sign of struggle. 

Together, the organisations support millions of people a year with information, advice, online self-help and referrals via telephone, text, webchat and digital platforms. 

Beyond Blue Chair The Hon Julia Gillard AC said: “Australia’s mental health and suicide prevention systems are too often crisis-driven. People often only get support when they’re at breaking point. So Beyond Blue will continue its focus on supporting people early on – helping people to feel better sooner, to get well and to stay well.” 

Lifeline Chair Jacinta Munro said: “Lifeline will continue to focus on crisis support and suicide prevention, supporting Australians in times of crisis and equipping individuals and communities to be suicide safe.” 

“This partnership between Lifeline and Beyond Blue helps to deliver a more integrated system, with more clarity for help seekers, smoother transitions between services and a greater focus on holistic support.” 

Earlier this year, the organisations formalised a three-year collaboration agreement that will build on their long record of working together in operations and advocacy. This year, the Victorian Government engaged Lifeline and Beyond Blue to lead the first stage of a sectorwide co-design to deliver on a Victorian Royal Commission recommendation to create better referral pathways across the state’s helplines. 

Beyond Blue and Lifeline worked closely during the Black Saturday bushfires and the height of the pandemic, including by linking young people to Lifeline’s crisis text service from the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service delivered by Beyond Blue. 

Now official, the partnership means Lifeline and Beyond Blue will be better placed to share resources and connect people with the information, advice and support that suits them best, regardless of where their journey begins. 

In the past four years alone, more than 400,000 people have used the app with more than 150,000 safety plans made.

Cancer care patients from across Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) are benefitting from an enhancement to oncology services in the region, which has significantly increased access to a specialised treatment previously only available in metropolitan areas. 

In collaboration with Central Coast and Northern Sydney Local Health Districts, WNSWLHD is the first Local Health District in regional NSW to implement the Varian HyperArc treatment delivery system. 

This allows patients with selected small brain tumors to receive stereotactic radiosurgery treatment locally. 

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said nine patients have already received this vital, state-of-the-art treatment locally at Orange or Dubbo. 

“This enhancement to the District’s cancer care network is already providing benefits for patients across the entire region of Western NSW, not just people in Orange and Dubbo,” Mr Park said. 

“Patients from rural and remote areas like Cobar, Condobolin and Grenfell have already safely received treatment much closer to home, significantly reducing the time and cost required to travel outside the District for care.” 

Dr Patrick Horsley, WNSWLHD Radiation Oncologist, said stereotactic radiosurgery is a very precise form of treatment which improves patient comfort and can result in fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy techniques. 

“Stereotactic radiosurgery uses high doses of radiation through targeted beams, safely destroying small tumors in the brain with a level of precision that spares the surrounding, healthy brain tissue from any significant dose of radiation,” Dr Worsley said. 

“The sophistication of this technology allows us to deliver treatment in just one session and with no surgical incisions which, importantly, means our patients can begin recovery sooner. 

“Having this treatment available locally breaks down barriers like geographic isolation. It allows us to reach more patients across a broader area, which will help us significantly improve health outcomes across our District.” 

John Adams, from Blayney, was one of the first patients to receive stereotactic surgery treatment at Orange and said he was thrilled to be able to receive treatment just 30 minutes from home. 

“It is so much better to have this treatment locally. It saves the stress and cost of being away from home, and means I can have my family around to support me during my treatment, which is great,” Mr Adams said.