The urgent need for improved maternity services and support across rural and regional NSW is the focus of the Forbes Evening CWA Branch’s annual Awareness Week campaign. Robyn Miller, President of Forbes Evening Branch as well as Oxley CWA Group, said the issue was on the CWA’s radar at its annual state conference in Sydney in May. 

“Just because you choose to live outside our major cities doesn’t mean you should have to tolerate a lower standard of medical care and support,” said Robyn. “Expectant mothers and new mothers should feel safe and supported, but what we heard during and after the inquiry was that this is far from the case for those living in rural and regional areas.” 

Robyn said it was valuable to hear from the maternity team at the Lachlan Health Service that our birthing care is of the highest standards. “The expert team of doctors and nurses providing care in Lachlan, throughout the maternity journey of women and families, are focused on support and care that is evidence based and provided in partnership,” said Robyn. 

There is sometimes a need based on the individual requirements of a woman to escalate her care to a centre with specific treatment options – we are fortunate to have Orange to provide this tertiary care. 

Lachlan Health Service Manager Rach Ellem said: “There is a long history of dedicated clinicians that endures today across Lachlan Maternity Services. The community can be very confident in the level of expertise and care provided locally.” 

*Visit the Forbes Evening CWA Branch Centenary Display at the Forbes Show where we will have a Lachlan Maternity Services midwife available at various times to discuss the services available in the Commercial Pavilion today and tomorrow. 

By Sue Cunningh 

A rural generalist surgical clinic has been re-established at Parkes Hospital that will improve access to high quality surgical care for communities across the Lachlan Valley. 

The reinvigorated clinic is being delivered by Dr Angus Brown, a rural generalist with advanced skills in general surgery, endoscopy and emergency medicine, and offers pre and post-operative care for a range of procedures. 

“Through the rural generalist surgical clinic, Dr Brown provides public consultations throughout the surgical process to help patients understand their procedures and coordinate any care required afterward too,” said Professor Damien Limberger, Acting Clinical Director of Lachlan Health Service. 

“Dr Brown has been providing services to the region for over a year. The reinvigorated clinic continues the work of local GP surgeon Dr Stephen Morris following his retirement.” 

Rach Ellem, Health Service Manager of Lachlan Health Service, which includes Parkes and Forbes Hospitals, said the clinic currently operated only at Parkes Hospital on Tuesdays once per month, but there was scope to expand. 

Contact the rural generalist surgical clinic on 68612455 or WNSWLHD-Admissions@health.nsw.gov.au 

Last week was education week, with this year’s theme being “creating futures”. 

Did you know that a staggering one in five children in Australia have an undiagnosed vision problem? The widespread effect of this on education can’t be understated, since vision is the preeminent sense when it comes to how a child learns. As parents, we need to be aware that not all vision problems will present as we might expect with complaints of blurred vision, sore eyes or headaches. Rather, it can often be much more subtle such as loss of concentration or a lack of motivation to read or do schoolwork. There is more to vision than simply seeing something clearly. Focusing, tracking, eye coordination and visual perception are important vision skills that also impact reading and learning. 

To catch these undiagnosed vision problems that are slipping through the cracks we must ensure that we get our children’s eyes tested by an optometrist, once before starting school and then ideally every year thereafter. 

To find out more, come in and talk to one of our eyecare professionals at Hansen Eyecare Plus in Parkes. #localscaringforlocals 

https://www.hansenoptom.com.au/

The current wave of COVID-19 infections continues to grow and all NSW residents are urged to ensure they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and to practise COVID-safe behaviours. 

There are fears the number of serious illnesses and death toll will increase significantly as the latest wave is driven by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. 

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said figures showed 56% (or 1,232 cases) of COVID-related deaths this year were in people who have had two or fewer doses. 

“We are at the beginning of the third wave of Omicron which is likely to peak in late July or early August. This increase in community transmission brings with it greatly increased risks for those not up to date with their vaccines,” he said. 

“The best way you can protect yourself from serious illness or worse is to get every vaccination that is available to you.” 

If you are fully vaccinated you have a 65% greater protection against hospitalisation or death from Omicron than two vaccine doses alone affords, according to data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. 

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said in addition to booking in for a booster, people should exercise common sense and wear a face mask in public indoor spaces, where physical distancing cannot be maintained. “Face masks, hand hygiene, staying home when ill, testing yourself when symptoms present, physically distancing, all these measures are not new to us,” Kerry said. 

Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are reminded to speak to their GP or health professional about antiviral medications if they contract COVID-19. Antivirals work best when taken within five days from when symptoms onset. 

COVID-19 booster doses are recommended for anyone 16 years and older who had their last dose of a primary course at least three months ago. To find your nearest vaccination clinic, visit nsw.gov.au. 

We all know what to do when we are injured, but how many of us know where to go when we are experiencing mental health issues?

While 20% of Autralians are impacted by mental health, it still seems to be a taboo subject in our modern lives. 

Actor and mental health champion Sam Webb addressed this often painful subject speaking to about 200 students and community members at the Fobes Mental Health Expo on Tuesday.

Sam started his presentation with two words: I’m fine. “These are two of most dangerous words spoken every day. They were the last two words I heard from my good friend the night before he took his own life in 2013.”

Sam, who flew in from his home in Los Angeles, co-founded the mental health charity LIVIN after the death of his friend committing to helping people and organisations understand the importance of mental health and making wellness a priority.

Speaking from the heart his presentation focused on simple tools and strategies to live better, make a difference and be of service to other people. 

“Don’t take ‘I’m fine’ for an answer any more. A lot of people use those two words just as a blow off, and what they really want to say is: Help Me!”

Sam said the “cool mantra” It Ain’t Weak To Speak was not just about mental health but could be applied to all aspects of life, like an upcoming exam, or relationship problems. He gave the audience some tips about talking to someone who is struggling. “Be honest, and don’t be afraid to have a hard conversation. It is about listening, and not trying to fix anything or solving problems.”

Another strategy Sam focused on was being adaptable in life. “It is not cool to hide your pain, and it does not get you anywhere. Find your north star – identify what you’re good at and value yourself and your worth. You have the power to make a difference in your life. It is OK not to be all right.”

For Sam self-care is vital. “We cannot help anyone properly if we do not look after ourselves first.” He said running was his best self-care option, while some answers from the audience included drawing, and talking to a friend.

Sam ended his presentation with a story about a fellow presenter who had survived a suicide attempt. He said the most important message from the survivor was that he felt instant regret the moment he jumped off a bridge.

Forbes resident Brodie Dukes has worked hard to turn her dreams into reality. 

Brodie has been studying for a Certificate IV via distance education for three years at the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing to achieve her goal of becoming an optical dispenser and to continue providing Forbes with the latest optical technology and services. 

Brodie has been with Eyewear Specs for five years. “I had never considered becoming an optical dispenser until I met Fiona Hayward, Owner and Manager of Eyewear Specs. We discussed Fiona’s role and that got me interested and thinking about becoming an optical dispenser,” said Brodie. 

When Fiona offered her a traineeship, she was quick to seize the amazing opportunity. “I enjoy the community spirit Forbes has as well as being able to help provide our community with their eye health and visual needs. 

I hope to continue to learn and grow my skills as an optical dispenser and to be able to help grow Eyewear Specs to allow us to continue to provide Forbes and surrounding areas with the latest optical technology and services.” 

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP will once again introduce a bill to the NSW Legislative Assembly seeking to mandate a registered nurse be available around the clock in NSW nursing homes. 

“Tragically, the pandemic had a devastating impact on the vulnerable residents living in nursing homes, which exposed the severe lack of medically trained staff to care for those afflicted with Covid-19,” said Phil.

“The Royal Commission into Aged Care revealed an insufficient staffing of registered nurses in nursing homes, and one of the commissioner’s recommendations is the introduction of a minimum staff standard across the board – including registered nurses.”

The second iteration of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party’s bill, titled the Public Health Amendment (Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes) Bill 2020, was brought before the NSW Legislative Council for debate in May by Phil’s colleague, Mark Banasiak MLC, and passed the Upper House on 11th May.

“I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many personal care workers looking after the residents in the nursing homes, but they do not have the level of training or clinical expertise a registered nurse has, such as administering medications, assessing and managing medical conditions, and time-critical referrals for escalation of patient care.

“This bill, if passed into legislation, would require nursing homes to staff, at a minimum, the regulatory prescribed number of registered nurses at all times. Nursing homes would no longer be without a registered nurse to deliver care – day or night.

“We want the best possible nursing care for those precious seniors in our lives, our grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts – and that care shouldn’t be restricted to business hours, it should be 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Phil.