Council slams Lismore Base on hospital staff parking
“Council is disappointed and frustrated that the [Lismore Base] hospital administration has not responded to the genuine concerns of their staff…” - Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell
Lismore City Council (LCC) has weighed in to the stoush over the lack of adequate and affordable car parking for Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) staff.
Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell and LCC’s Manager of Development & Compliance, Peter Jeuken, issued a strong statement expressing concern about “the failure of Lismore Base Hospital to provide support for its employees and ensure adequate parking is available for staff.”
They criticised both hospital management and the NSW Government for failing to make suitable parking arrangements in the busy hospital precinct.
Their comments followed criticism of LBH management by the Health Services Union, angered by plans for LBH to charge fees of $7 per day for staff parking at the car park in Uralba Street, due to open in late April. According to the union, 700 staff members have applied for 300 spaces in the new car park building.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
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Job creation another winner in aged care boost
More than 100 local jobs will be created as a result of the funding boost to aged care confirmed by the Federal MP for Page, Kevin Hogan today (30 March).
As reported in GP Speak last week, aged care services in the Northern Rivers are set to receive an extra $3.6 million in ongoing funding. The figure increases to more than $5.5 million with the inclusion of places in Maclean.
Not only are residents and patients the beneficiaries, as more than 100 new jobs are likely to be created.
Mr Hogan made the announcement at Crowley Care Services in Ballina, which will receive about $500,000 for 15 new Home Care places. This will create up to 15 new jobs, the MP said.
“These new Home Care places will help older members of our community to remain living in their own home for as long as possible - which is where they want to be,” Mr Hogan said.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
Biopsychosocial approaches to pain management produce the best outcomes
On Saturday 27 February 2016, the NCPHN held a workshop in Byron Bay on acute and chronic pain management. This large topic was dealt with over four hours and this article will review the highlights and take-home messages of an event that was well attended by GPs and allied health professionals.
The event was well run and chaired by experienced and well-known GP educator Hilton Koppe. The program gave practical advice for managing challenging patients with significant chronic pain.
The keynote speaker was Professor Michael Nicholas, Pain Management Research Institute, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital. He pointed out that whilst acute pain is a useful warning signal, chronic pain causes major disability and suffering.
Once pain following an injury persists beyond the normal healing time of up to three months the only realistic option is to reduce its impact. The focus needs to be on self management and daily functioning rather than trying to ‘fix up’ the pain. For a GP this revelation can be a relief from relying exclusively on the procedural or medication approach, which rarely seems to totally succeed for chronic pain sufferers, and may even make matters worse.
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- Written by: Andrew Binns
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Pre-election boost for local aged care
Aged care services in the ‘greying’ Northern Rivers will receive a funding boost of more than $3.6 million in ongoing funding, the Federal MP for Page Kevin Hogan has announced.
Around $2.7 million of the money will provide an additional 77 Aged Home Care places, with a further $900,000 for 14 new Residential Age Care beds. The need in the Northern Rivers is high, with 23% of population aged over 60 years. The NSW average is 17%.
St Michaels in Casino will get an extra 15 home care places, Ballina-based Integrated Living will get an additional 15 Aged care Beds, while St Andrews, also in Ballina, will get 32 new Home Care places and 2 residential care places.
Crowley Retirement Village will also get 15 extra Home Care places. In the Clarence Valley, the Whiddon Group will get an additional 12 Aged Care residential places.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
Byron Central Hospital Community Open Day - Book Now!
You’re invited to the Byron Central Hospital Community Open Day
When: Saturday 9 April 2016 from 10.00am - 2.00pm
Where: 54 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale
Come along to the Community Open Day to preview the impressive new $88 million Byron Central Hospital - an advanced and modern health facility designed to support the whole Byron Shire and its many visitors.
Construction is now complete and the hospital is preparing to receive the first patients and Ambulatory Care clients. This is a unique opportunity to see areas of the hospital you wouldn't normally have access to.
Each tour will take approximately 30 minutes and there will be 15 people per tour. Spaces are limited so everyone is encouraged to book a scheduled tour time. Please wear flat shoes and arrive 10 minutes prior to your booking time.
Bookings can be made online from Monday 14 March - Wednesday 6 April 2016 at Evenbrite or, by calling 0409 984 488 between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays.
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- Written by: Robin Osborne
Read more: Byron Central Hospital Community Open Day - Book Now!
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