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.”

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.”

With the sudden and recent changes to rules and regulations affecting businesses in the Forbes Shire, and Australia as a whole, there has been much talk concerning job loss and a lack of resources Forbes residents would endure if business are forced to shut down in the face of an economic recession. The University of South Australia’s business growth expert, Professor Jana Matthews, has urged business to reassess their current model in order to survive these challenging times.

Jana says that the survival of business is dependent on the changes business owners make in adapting to the shift in the market. One crucial way in which Forbes businesses can maintain themselves is by “doubling down on winners,” meaning, business owners must assess which services or products are in demand, and identify a demographic of existing customers to target their marketing and focus on providing their most in demand services.

Social media has and will continue to play a fundamental role in shaping the way in which money and services flow throughout the community. By changing the way in which a service or product is offered, that is in line with the restrictions in place, employers are also able to retain staff by identifying and transferring their skills and resources to new positions.

Professor Jana Matthews goes on to advise businesses to identify “weak spots” by thinking critically to identify where the first cuts need to be made. It is time for business owners to lead with both their brains and hearts and have the courage to enter unchartered territory and implement change, no matter how daunting it may seem.

As government guidelines and laws constrict to curb the spread of COVID-19, more people are taking social distancing measures and following the advice to stay home unless attending an essential task. While this is a commendable sacrifice to ensure the health of individuals and the community, the limited social contact can impact our mental health. Isolation may trigger feelings of loneliness, anxiety, helplessness and depression, however, there are ways to protect and boost your mental health and immunity.

It is important to keep busy, if you have a hobby or household project you have been putting off, now is your chance to start and complete it. If you have always wanted to learn a new language or skill there are apps and websites that can be accessed for free and put the information you need right at your fingertips. Skillshare, Duolingo, Masterclass and Scholastic are offering free virtual classes during this time. Feeling that your time is being optimised can reduce feelings of anxiety and helplessness, so keeping routine with scheduled projects and hobbies can contribute to positive feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction.

If news and social media increase your anxiety, digital distancing may help to alleviate stress while giving more time to do more healthy and productive things like reading a book, practicing yoga or even dancing. It is also important to reach out to friends and family. No one is in this alone, so call friends, neighbours, family and talk. Hosting a digital party through a video conference can also lessen the social isolation people may feel.

There are many mental health services that can be accessed from home, offering phone and online services. Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline, MensLine Australia, Open Arms, Lifeline and Suicide Call Back Services are just a few available in Australia. The most effective way to receive mental health support help is to ask for help.