NSW has reached a major milestone in its fight against COVID-19, with more than six million tests conducted since the beginning of the pandemic almost 500 days ago.

More than 3.5 million people have been tested for COVID-19 in NSW, with almost 1.4 million people being tested more than once.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the NSW community should be very proud of this milestone.

“As recent events show, COVID-19 can re-emerge at any time, even after lengthy periods of defences against COVID-19 as they allow us to detect new cases early and prevent further transmission,” Dr Chant said.

“NSW has one of the highest COVID-19 testing rates in the world and reaching six million tests reflects the fantastic efforts of the people of NSW since the beginning of this pandemic,” she said.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone in NSW who has come forward and been tested and urge you to continue to do so – if you have even the mildest of symptoms it is so important you come forward and get tested.”

Of the 3,514,483 people who have taken COVID-19 tests in NSW, 61 per cent (2,138,516) were tested once, with 39 per cent (1,375,967 people) tested on multiple occasions. More than 52,000 people have been tested five or more times.

People in the 30 to 39 year age group accounted for the highest number of tests (1,077,602, 18 percent of all tests), followed by those aged 20 to 29 (923,657 tests, 15 percent) and those aged 40 to 49 (855,231 tests, 14 percent).

There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

People with a disability, their families and their carers discovered how they could tell their story at the Disability Royal Commission. Lawyers from Your Story Disability Legal Support are coming to Forbes next week to help people tell their disability.

Your Story solicitor Rachael Vincent said the service was created to support people with a disability, their families, carers, supporters and advocates. “We understand there are many people with a disability who may want to share their stories with the Royal Commission,” she said.

“People can share all kinds of experiences with the Royal Commission. This could include negative experiences, or ideas about how we can create a more inclusive society for all.”

“But we also understand that many are worried if they do, their lives may be made worse. That may be through discrimination, or changes to the delivery of their essential services by people who may still be involved in their care. We’re here to empower people to be able to share their stories safely.”

Your Story Disability Legal Support is a joint initiative between National Legal Aid and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, set up to give legal support and advice to people wanting to share their stories with the Royal Commission.

Local staff from Legal Aid NSW and Aboriginal Legal Services NSW/ACT, who know the community and local issues, provide the services on the ground in Forbes.

All of the stories gathered in Forbes will inform the Disability Roy-al Commissions final report, which is expected to be presented to the federal government in the second half of 2022.

The report will make recommendations about how we can make changes to improve the lives of people with disability and empower everyone to live safely and participate equally in society.

For more information contact 1800 77 1800 or go to www.yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au

The Forbes Shire Council fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities Orange held last night was an outstanding success with a strong turn-out by locals.

“All funds raised on the evening will remain in Orange to directly support families from Forbes and other areas of the central and far west who come to stay at the house in Orange while seeking specialist and life-saving treatment for their baby, child or adolescent,” said Ronald McDonald House Media Representative Janice Harris.

“Since the house in Orange opened, 77 families from Forbes have stayed at no cost for a total of 301 nights,” Janice said.

“They have been supported with a range of services including emergency meals, toiletries, and new toys, activities and books for the child in hospital.”

In total, 838 families from the central and far west have stayed at the house in Orange for a total of 6,795 nights free of charge.

Wear Red Day began four years ago as an initiative of the Principal of Denison College in Bathurst, Ken Barwick.

“Can’t wait for 2022!”

Last week a new collaborative health care model built on a community-based response was launched for Forbes and other centres throughout the Central West.

Forbes will join other regions in the trial to find innovative solutions to local healthcare problems with an investment of $5 million from the Australian Government to support what the communities come up with. The other regions are Parkes, Tullamore, Trangie, Tottenham, Trundle, Canowindra, Snowy Valley and Wentworth.

Regional experts, including the NSW Rural Doctors Network, the Western NSW Local Health District and the Western NSW Primary Health Network are working closely with local councils, community and health professionals to design an innovative solution.

The difference with this approach to traditional health workforce solutions that focus on individual towns, is the focus will be on sub-regions to address healthcare access issues.

“By servicing multiple towns, there is an opportunity to achieve economies of scale, create sustainable practices and provide better access to primary health services for rural and remote Australians,” said Deputy Prime Minister and member for Riverina Michael McCormack at the launch.

“The aim is to demonstrate how new and flexible approaches can address workforce shortages in the bush and find sustainable ways of delivering services across a number of smaller, connected rural communities,” said Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton.

“The challenge of delivering health services in small communities is well known, and it is clear the existing one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working for everyone.” The CEO of the Rural Doctors Network, Richard Colbran agreed, and believes the days of a doctor settling into a town for 40 years were gone.

“The aim with the new model would be to get doctors to stay for at least five years,” said Richard.

“That would allow patients to build a relationship with their GP.”

The Western NSW Local Health District will start providing COVID-19 vaccinations to its staff from Monday, 22 March rolling out across the region.

“The Australian Government has developed a schedule that will see the most at-risk groups receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible,” said Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan.

“Phase 1a includes healthcare workers who work in areas such as emergency departments and intensive care units. It also includes aged care residents, including those living in our Multipurpose Service (MPS) facilities. Phase 1b includes all other healthcare workers.

“For our healthcare workers, we will have fixed clinics in Orange and Dubbo taking bookings from 22 March, with the Bathurst clinic opening the following day.”

Additionally, there will also be two mobile clinics in operation from 22 March that will visit all the smaller health facilities over the coming weeks.

The vaccination requires two injections at least twelve weeks apart, so those clinics will be booking staff in for both their appointments.

“Our clinics will be providing the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. Both the current vaccines are very effective, and Oxford/AstraZeneca offers advantages for our District given the challenges of distance,” said Mr. MacLachlan.

“I would encourage people to use the Australian Government’s online eligibility checker to see when and how they can access vaccination.

“This is a really exciting development. Our staff, and our communities have, had been incredible in taking action to minimise the spread of COVID-19, and we all want the vaccination program to be a success,” he said.

“We’re fortunate to have the vaccine available and it will be a relief for our healthcare workers to have this extra layer of protection.”

Applications are welcomed from the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) from those interested in becoming a member of the board.

WNSWLHD Board Chair Scott Griffiths said a number of vacancies are opening up on the board due to the retirement of members, including himself.

“I strongly encourage anyone with an interest to put themselves forward,” he said.

“This is a skills-based board and members are required to actively contribute to the effective governance WNSWLHD, which provides a broad range of health services to the residents and visitors across our region.

“The board is responsible for overseeing an effective governance and risk management framework for the district, setting its strategic directions, ensuring high standards of professional and ethical conduct are maintained, involve providers and the community in decisions that affect them, monitoring the service delivery and financial performance of the district against its targets and holding the chief executive accountable for their performance,” he said.

“Our local board plays an important role within the Local Health District”.

To apply go to NSW Health website by Sunday, 28 February: www.health.nsw.gov.au/lhd/boards/Pages/eoi_lhdboards.aspx.

Nurses in rural and remote locations in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) are benefiting from a new program designed to support them work at the highest level.

RG-NET, or the Rural Generalist Nurse Education Team, will work with hundreds of rural and remote nurses across the Central West, helping them refine and advance their clinical assessment and management skills.

WNSWLHD Northern Sector General Manager, Brian Bonham said, “Our rural and remote nurses are very skilled. They have a unique job to do and it’s becoming more specialised as the health needs, expectations and general health landscape changes.

“RG-NET aims to up-skill our nurses with theory and practical clinical skills to be able to perform a range of assessments when caring for patients in rural and remote sites.”

RG-NET works with nurses to provide theory and practical experience to refine their clinical skills in a number of different assessment areas including respiratory, abdominal, neurological, cardiovascular, obstetric and gynaecological, ENT and eye, mental health, drug and alcohol, geriatric nursing, palliative care, and simple acute wound closure and limb immobilisation.

“We recognise the important role our nurses play, especially in our rural and remote communities. The RG-NET program is designed to provide them with the support and clinical expertise they need.”

Better support and access to the latest information will enable the hardworking nurses of Forbes to continue to offer the best care possible to patients.

“We are extremely proud and excited to be rolling out this program across the WNSWLHD.

This will be a part of our WNSWLHD foot-print. It is also an exciting opportunity for our nurses in rural and remote locations providing a new form of professional development and mentoring,” Brian said.