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We can’t ‘arrest our way’ out of ice epidemic - MP

Saying that society cannot “arrest” its way out of the sweeping ‘ice’ epidemic, the MP for the federal seat of Page, which covers much of the Northern Rivers, has welcomed the Turnbull government’s response to the national taskforce on the highly addictive and harmful drug.

‘Ice’, also known as ‘crystal meth’, is a crystalline form of the drug methamphetamine. It can cause paranoia and hallucinations, and is often associated with violence, increasing the ‘fight or flight’ reaction that can make people respond more aggressively to situations where they feel threatened

The Nationals’ Kevin Hogan said the taskforce, and now the government, had picked up one of the points that came out of a recent crisis forum held in Lismore.

“Ice is playing havoc in many regional communities, including ours,” he said, stressing that “local problems need local solutions”, an approach sanctioned in the $300M funding package.

Details: Written by: Robin Osborne; Published: 06 December 2015

Allied health investment heals patients and budgets

In what could be one of the most cost efficient of health investments, the organisation Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH) is seeking $7 million in Federal Government research funding that could save the health budget more than $175 million per year.

The call follows the release of a new report, The impact of allied health professionals in improving outcomes and reducing the cost of treating diabetes, osteoarthritis and stroke, which evaluated the economic impact of eight allied health interventions for people with these common health conditions.

Details: Written by: Staff; Published: 03 December 2015

GPSpeak Summer Edition

The Australian Financial Review (19 November 2015) reported comments made by two former Treasury Secretaries about the state of Australia's public service. Recent redundancies and increased outsourcing have left the Department short of senior management expertise and there has been a general loss of corporate knowledge. Dr Parkinson noted that junior staff are missing out being properly mentored, "Becoming an effective policy advisor requires learning by doing under the guidance of experienced hands - an apprenticeship if you will".

The slash and burn approach of the Abbott years has similarly affected primary health care and training. The philosophy of the Liberal / National coalition is to reduce the Public Service and the direct provision of services by government. Fostering a competitive market is their preferred mechanism for delivering health and social services.

Details: Written by: David Guest; Published: 20 November 2015

Chairman's Report 2015

"We were caught In the middle of a railroad track,
I looked round and I knew there was no turning back"

- AC/DC, Thunderstruck

The principal activities of our Network are the publication of GPSpeak magazine, the issuing of its associated electronic newsletters and regular maintenance of the website. The Network's media strategy allows it to fulfil its constitutional objectives of fostering communication between Members and to promulgate the views of North Coast general practitioners to other members of the health profession and to the general public.

The Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NRGPN) made a $20,000 loss this year, mostly from the addition of a hard copy version of GPSpeak, published at the start of each season, to the existing online magazine. The paper magazine is sent to all medical practitioners in the Tweed and Richmond valleys and to specialists on the lower Gold Coast. In the future we will also distribute to allied health practitioners and pharmacists in our area.

Details: Written by: David Guest; Published: 19 November 2015

Tresillian’s ‘life savers’ officially welcomed

The latest step in Tresillian’s long and proud history was taken in Lismore on 18 November when its new family care centre in Lismore was officially opened.