Thursday health scope
Issues surrounding
WA flailing health system took centrefold again with a fourth pair of parents stepping out to criticise WA GPs and
Princess Margaret Hospital over the
death of their toddler. For over seven days Christopher suffered worsening symptoms including a 40degrees temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea but got sent home from PMH and GPs with nothing but anti-biotics and nurofen. Christopher went back and forth between GPs and hospital only to be pronounced dead on his second trip to PMH
WA Health Minister Kim Hames sparked a new twist in the
euthanasia debate by admitting that he had administered painkiller dosage to a terminally ill patient with the knowledge that an early death could result out of the administration. Pro-euthanasia expert,
Dr. Nitschke, said that doctors got around the law by using selective language and that it is a grey area which requires legal surety for doctors, patients and families alike.
Fremantle hospital in WA has closed 15 beds for fear of gastro virus infecting the rest of the hospital
On
anti-smoking law WA championed the toughest preventative measure around the country by banning smoking within 10 metres of playground, in cars with children, between flags at beaches and around alfresco areas.
The
Australian Medical Association has criticised
QLD health for the creation of "Physician Assistant" role, claiming that it is a major waste of resources for a part of the workforce that is going to rise up against the govt eventually over unfair work conditions.
A
IDS association of QLD is following NSW and ACT lead in calling for heroin
injecting rooms in Fortitude Valley and Palm beach.
National Seniors Australia CEO, Michael O'Neill addressed the National Press Club yesterday, calling for significant
tax reforms and
super-style saving plans to equip for increasing aged care need predicted to double by 2050. Wasn't too happy with the sharing of Minister Butler's portfolio which is divided between Aged Care and Mental Health. Calling for
age discrimination issue in the workforce to be taken seriously.
Greens Senator
Rachel Siewert is considering alliance with the coalition in pushing
mental health service reform. Siewert said the Greens are prepared to work with the Coalition in establishing better mental health service, including a national mental health body. Gave confirmation that the Greens won't agree to all mental health funding cut proposed by the Labor Govt.
Approx 10M dosage of
swine flu vaccine are close to their use-by-date. The wastage is predicted to cost taxpayers close to $65M.
Paediatricians are pushing for breast-feeding and for infant-formula to be on prescription as a measure to encourage breast feeding. AMA says that breast-feeding is not a viable option for everyone.
regards,
Estle Iskandar
Labels: Euthanasia in Australia, Injecting room, QLD health, Swine Flu, WA Health
Health Titbits for Wednesday
Enquiry into our
rural health continues.
WA Health Minister said in parliament yesterday that it was "phyiscally impossible" to have a doctor 24/7 on-site at small country hospitals and that to do so would be an "absolute waste of resources". A report released by
Rural Health West last December revealed the ratios of doctors to patients in Western Australia fall short of the recommended 1 to 750. Corrigin will join a list of regional towns in WA operating without a doctor or permanent GP next week. Among the listed are Kulin, Kondinin and Lake Grace.
Experts have called on a
national surveillance scheme for vaccine. A commissioned report by the WA Govt revealed that response was slow for both state and federal government in recognizing apparent adverse effects of the vaccine and that neither state nor federal government had taken up the
World Health Organization WHO recommendation to place surveillance measure in place. The federal government's top immunisation adviser,
Professor Terry Nolan, last year supervised paediatric clinical trials for swine flu vaccine, Panvax, produced by pharmaceutical giant, CSL. Professor Nolan will be among the panel of experts investigating the adverse effect of
Fluvax, a combined seasonal and swine flu vaccine produced by
CSL.
NT has its first swine flu death this year. The victim was a man with pre-disposed health risks.
In the ACT, the
Little Company Mary is claiming $14M debt from the
ACT Government over the failure of
Calvary hospital sale.
NSW Health is investigating a Portuguese report which reveals the silver feathered, yellow feet breed of seagull, is susceptible to be carrying
superbug infection.
Health experts are calling for increased
sexual health campaigns targeting teenagers after a survey revealed that 63% engage in non-protected sex and a further 65% aged between 18 - 25 never undergo STI check
ACT residents carry the longest
life expectancy in Australia albeit being mostly overweight and inadequate in their dietary fibre intake
Have a groovy Wednesday!
Labels: ACT Government, CSL, Fluvax, Little Company Mary, Rural Health, Superbug, vaccine surveillance, Western Australia, WHO
esteLica's tweet digest
Happy mid-autumn festival, its time for moon cakes again. Missing the bright paper lanterns and childish excitement of owning a Pokemon lantern. I wonder if anyone is lucky enough to be in the Orient this time of the year to tag me some pics?
All is not lost! I did experience my own reunion tonight with fellow Schmoozers - and what a pleasant surprise to bump into an ex-colleague who just jumped on board recently. Stephanie was happily snapping away at our eggs throwing antics and the enlightened faces of those who ventured out of the dark room session. Quite the festivity you say? Definitely! All cloaked up within the refine ambiance of M16 Art gallery in Griffith. For those seeking to explore the South, why not make a definite stop at M16 after Old Bus Depot market? For the month of September M16 is exhibiting the works grotto artist, Richard Blackwell (richardblackwell.net)
At this session of SYPG - Schmooze Young Professional Group, I was lucky enough to meet the owner of art-meet-retail nouveau boutique owner of itrip iskip in Braddon. For those familiar with Braddon and its many funky shops like Bourgeois Pig and Unit Concepts, itrip iskip is located next to Debacle. Aside from the attractive layout of the shop & clever merchandising, there's just something about having art works in your shop which shout "try me on!" and "be part of the creative process!". What struck me next was Diana's no-pretense smile and gentle welcoming voice. Ladies and gents, be nice if you ever visit itrip iskip :)
I think I might have also scored myself a personal stylist & a dance partner
More soul digest next time
Labels: itrip iskip, M16, Richard Blackwell, Schmooze Canberra
TUE Health Scope
Good Morning,
The morning news painted a bleak picture of our rural health. Health officials are investigating a third death at Geraldton hospital, WA, following two investigations at Northam hospital involving the deaths of 16 yrs old Andrew Allen and infant Lachlan Hughes. WA government is denying system failure.
Meanwhile, Yass hospital in NSW is reporting doctor shortage with rumour of its emergency department facing closure this week. A patient at Queanbeyan hospital claims that the hospital had not had an overnight doctor for the past seven days.
Elsewhere, the start of E-Health implementation by government task force is received with scepticism from the industry & consumer group. AMA is calling for more public education re E-Health to lift potential administrative burden for GPs and medical practitioners. Others are saying that Australia health system is not ready for e-health, calling for "stronger protection" in patient identity. Tender was issued last week for the National Authentication Service for Health NASH, aimed at supporting stronger security for patient information during consultations on the H1 framework. While Health Minister Nicola Roxon confirmed NASH rollout is due to start mid 2012, expected completion is not until 2017 at least. In the meantime the industry has to rely on the original business communications solution, Medicare PKI, which according to AustHealth IT Blogger, David More, has potential for misuse and systemic abuse.
The NSW Housing Minister is yet to make a final decision on increasing public housing rent. Spokesperson told the media that rent price will stay the same while reviewing request from Jenny Macklin to keep the recent pension increase national and viable.
Four West Australians died from swine flu in the last 6 weeks. While most cases were adults identified with pre-disposed risk factors, it was reported that a Perth man in his 50s succumbed fatally to the flu strain without having any prior medical condition. The Health Department was unaware of this and will be investigating.
Perth to conduct late trials for dengue fever vaccine, calling for volunteers.
Victoria is running to build a cryonics plant to store whole human bodies and heads for up to 50 years. http://www.cryonics.org.au
Tintinara Area School in south-east SA is in the middle of investigation into soil contamination, with the possibility of arsenic and asbestos remnants remaining in the school compound. Parents are complaining of the lack of risk-management measures for remaining school occupants and children.
Enjoy the rest of the day!
regards,
Estle Iskandar
Newsdesk Executive
Labels: arsernic, asbestos, Australia Medical Association AMA, cryonics, dengue fever, E-Health, Geraldton, Medicare, Northam, QLD health, South Australia, WA Health
Monday health scope
Good Monday Morning!
Hope you had an enjoyable weekend! A couple of issues bubbling away in the Health cauldron today...
Debate on euthanasia laws are big on the Greens Agenda with ACT Governmentto front the topic during questions time today. Prime Minister Gillard vowed to give her colleagues a chance at conscience vote on the subject. ACT politicians have come out to give their views on the topic, with many criticizing the Fed Govt restriction on territory matters but not directly opposing/supporting the law. ACT Greens Rattenburry says that it is "undemocratic for states and territories to have different rules regarding euthanasia".
WA Community Health Service has defended the practise of using nurses to consult with patients at emergency departments before calling a doctor. A sixteen yrs old boy, Andrew Allan, was sent home from Northam Hospital with kids panadol after showing gastro symptoms. Andrew died in his bed the next morning.
90% of ACT pharmacies have signed up for electronic prescribing. eRX Script Exchange program would allow GPs, medical practitioners & prescribers to share prescription online and a designated retrieval point for patients to pick up their prescriptions.
Qld alcohol and drug expert, Professor Jake Najman, warned of drug trade existing in every single school across the state. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare survey into drug consumption found that of all the Queenslander surveyed, 21.4 % are 15 yrs old or younger and 21.7% are between the ages of 16 - 17 yrs old.
A study into teen pregnancy has found that teenagers are prone to
rapid-repeat pregnancy due to inconsistent use of contraceptives in combination with high level of smoking, drug and alcohol use. The study highlights the need for timely advise on contraception to teenage mothers.
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/193_06_200910/lew11374_fm.html
A brutal Mexican cartel has been smuggling half a tonne of cocaine monthly to supply the demand of Perth drug community.
Health experts have recommended early circumcision for male infants as effective combatant against STD infection such as HIV.
Have a great start to the week!
Labels: Aids Prevention, Euthanasia in Australia, QLD health, WA Health
WED Health titbits
Apology for the delay in Wed's health scope
Medicare rebate was high on the agenda yesterday with means test to be re-introduced early next year. Income earners past the $75,000 mark and couples income totalling up to $150,000 could be affected.
Affordable dental care could be extended to families earning up to $100,000
Austrade joined up with Australia Technology Network ATN to promote education exchange and expose Australia R&D capabilities to the UK.
WA Health - New threat in hospital pay row could extend to anti-privatisation protest. LHMU Secretary Dave Kelly said hospital services privatisation had adversely affected patient care and safety.
QLD Health - A Townsville hospital program had slashed outpatient waiting time to a maximum of two years period. The program includes specialties treatment such as ear, nose, orthopaedic, throat and urology.
At a gathering of infectious disease specialists, experts warned of Superbug spread going global, labelling it an inevitable "time bomb" which needs to be managed.
And a boost of science and good news - researchers have successfully mapped the genetic code of APPLE. Goodbye to genetic engineering and yes to splicing the positive strains of the fruit to give us better flavours, colours, yields and other benefits!
Cheers
Tue health titbits
On the eve of cabinet swear-in last night, PM Gillard re-instated Warren Snowdon as Indigenous Health minister. The appointment of Mark Butler as Mental Health & Ageing Minister cast a shadow of doubt over the community with mental health experts questioning the commitment of the new govt in mental health issue, saying that the appointment of a mental health minister in the outer ministry will do little in targeting reforms. Seniors groups also expressed their surprise in the combination of portfolios between Ageing and Mental Health.
The Victorial Hospital report titled, "
Your Hospital Report", was released yesterday. Most hospitals only met five out of nine required benchmarks with twenty per-cent of patients dissatisfied with received treatments.
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/news/your_hospitals.htm
National E-Health Transition Authority conceded failure to address community concerns over the past two years. Denmark E-Health expert, Morten Elbaek Petersen pushed for stronger model allowing consumer interaction and social capacity within the Australia E-health system.
Tasmania retirement village in Sandy Bay, Sandown Village, criticised for the handling of its gastro outbreak. A resident suffered severe mental distress after a recent lockdown between Aug29 - Sept 08. Residents were confined to their rooms with little human contact or visitors allowed.
Aevum retirement group is closer to resolution with Stockland in their takeover bid
Health warning issued for Voltaren & Nurofen drugs, studies showed consumption may increase stroke risk by up to 86% in pre-disposed consumers with blood-clotting problem.
U.S researchers found the use of disinfectant gel has little effects in stopping the spread of swine flu
Biota Holdings released its single dose treatment against seasonal flu and influenza,Inavir. Described as more potent than Relenza and Tamiflu
A Roy Morgan survey into alcohol consumption in Australia reports a culture of binge drinking with more than 1.4M consumers using alcohol to feel "normal".
Monday Health Titbits & a New Ministry
Good Morning,
A step forward for mental health advocates with the appointment of Mark Butler as Minister for Mental Health & Ageing. Experts are pointing to New Zealand success, pinpointing the need for a detailed blue print in mental health reforms and targets.
Scheduled pro-euthanasia ads set to go on air in Brisbane last night was banned last minute by industry regulator Free TV Australia. Lobby group Exit International says the group would push for a different version of the ad, criticising the restriction as a violation of freedom of speech. NT Government is a huge state supporter of euthanasia - Greens leader Bob Brown promised NT politicians that he would push the new Labor minority govt to remove Commonwealth blockage on this issue
Psychologists are calling for the inclusion of Medicare rebate claim for "sick gamers" or computer addicts
Expectant mothers are paying $30 more each week with the new cap on Medicare payment imposed early January. Many women are claiming this move will inevitably force them to rely back on the public health system.
The tobacco industry is under fire over TV ads showing retailers being opposed to plain packaging of cigarettes!
And we end off with speculations of different sectors in QLD Health preparing to go on strikes over pays and better conditions, move over Nurses, the next wave is huge.
Changes in portfolio under the New Ministry:
Mark Butler - Minister for Mental Health & Ageing
Mark Arbib - Minister for Sports
Catherine King - Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing
