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Respiratory diseases among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children need a greater focus

In Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay by PHN Communications

A new review by the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet (HealthInfoNet) has found that the lung health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children requires a greater focus. The review found that best-practice medicine is essential to reduce the burden of respiratory illness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. HealthInfoNet Director, …

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Help for the homeless

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

On Saturday, 28 July the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre organised a localised Care Day for homeless and marginalised members of the community. This was a great opportunity to give vulnerable populations more information about available health services in the Sunshine Coast area. In total more than 150 community members attended the …

Direct action needed to cure hepatitis C

In Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay by PHN Communications

In March 2016 a number of direct acting antiviral medications for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection were made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. These medications are highly effective, curing over 95 percent of those treated, have little or no adverse side effects and are easily self-administered. General …

Join the walk to save people from kidney disease

In Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay by PHN Communications

Across Australia, thousands of people will walk during September 2018 to show their support for kidney patients, families of people with kidney disease, and people at risk of developing kidney disease. Over 1.7 million people are living with kidney disease across Australia right now. Kidney Health Australia exists to help …

Are you confident in providing end of life care for older Australians?

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

How do you know if your older patient is nearing death? How can you better manage their symptoms and help them die well? End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) is a free, government-funded resource designed to connect you with evidence-based tools and resources in palliative care and advance …

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New sessions to support families affected by alcohol and drugs

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

Gympie families can access new support sessions to help them through the issues caused by the problematic misuse of alcohol and drugs, such as methamphetamine. Over the past 20 years Family Drug Support (FDS) has provided support to thousands family members across Australia. When someone in the family has problematic …

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Grants to aid further study in Parkinson’s care

In Wide Bay by PHN Communications

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is now offering a Postgraduate Unit of Study Parkinson’s Care. This is a national initiative that highlights the importance of the role of Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists across communities, especially in regional areas where access to  neurology services is limited. Parkinson’s Queensland Inc (PQI), has …

Public Health Advisory to GPs in Wide Bay Food recall – potential Listeria contamination

In Central Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay by PHN Communications

There is a current trade recall of frozen vegetables due to concerns about possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall is a precautionary measure following an investigation in Europe of an outbreak of a specific strain of L. monocytogenes with 47 cases across 5 EU countries.  The outbreak, dating back …

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Public health alert – Measles in Sunshine Coast area

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit has been notified of a confirmed case of measles in a Sunshine Coast resident. The infection was acquired overseas. There is a low risk of further cases of measles. When a patient with measles attends a medical facility, other patients, visitors and staff are at …

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Smoking cessation on the road to saving 10000 lives

In Sunshine Coast by PHN Communications

Research shows the most effective way to quit smoking is to use nicotine replacement therapy or quit smoking medication in combination with support from a GP or health professional. Quitline is offering smokers in Central Queensland a tailored, quit smoking program with 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy mailed …

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Taking a look at maternal care in the context of rural health

In Central Queensland by PHN Communications

Emerald GPs, Rural Generalists, GP Obstetricians, Midwives, Child health nurses, Allied Health professionals and others met on Saturday 16 June for a Maternity Shared Care update facilitated by Dr Wendy Burton, GP and Maternity Shared Care Educator, and Dr Ewen McPhee, Rural GP Obstetrician. Many of these professionals had met …