New CEO for Country Health SA
Maree Geraghty, the Chief Executive of Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for Country Health SA. David Swan, Chief Executive of SA Health, said Ms Geraghty will commence her appointment on Monday 1 July 2013. “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Maree Geraghty who will lead the delivery of health services in rural and remote South Australia,” Mr Swan said. “Ms Geraghty has her extensive experience in senior leadership roles across Queensland Health.
Construction starts on new car park
Construction of the new carpark at Naracoorte Community Health Service is expected to start on Monday (13 May). The new 66 bay car park will be used by both patients and staff at the Community Health Service and Kincraig Medical Centre. During the five week construction period the Community Health building will not be accessible to the public. Alternative arrangements have been made to ensure all current services continue to be provided.
Heart Week in Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln residents will be able to find out how they can keep their heart healthy at two information stalls being held in the town as part of Heart Week in May. The stalls will be run by Port Lincoln Health Service between 1pm and 4pm at the front of Drakes Supermarket on Monday 6 May and in the foyer of Coles Supermarket on Wednesday 8 May. Port Lincoln Health Promotion Officer Anna Angus said Heart Week was a timely reminder that heart disease and heart attack can be prevented through lifestyle changes. “Being active every day, for example by taking a regular walk, is a great way to help reduce your risk of having a heart attack,” she said.
Three Salaried Medical Officers for Whyalla Hospital
Three new salaried medical officers are now working at Whyalla Hospital. The appointments help fulfill a commitment from Country Health SA and the Minister for Health and Ageing to provide additional support at Whyalla Hospital. Dr Aftab Ahmad Cheema and Dr Jalal Ud Din Qamar started at Whyalla Hospital in February while Dr Sheraz Jamil started at the hospital today. Dr. Susan Merrett, Director of Medical Services for Country Health SA, said the doctors will help to improve services to patients in the Whyalla community. “Dr Cheema, Dr Jamil and Dr Qamar will support the work of the GPs across surgery, anesthetics and medicine and provide medical support for the specialist physician service,” she said. recruit to these positions so it is great to have the three doctors on board.
Free 'Come and Try' Exercise Classes in the South East
South East Regional Community Health Service is offering residents in the region the opportunity to come and try an exercise class for free between 29 April and 3 May. The free come and try sessions are available at classes in a range of locations including Mount Gambier, Penola, Robe, Naracoorte, Millicent, Beachport and Kingston. Andrew Waters, Director, Health Promotion at South East Regional Community Health Service, said the initiative aimed to help the community increase their physical activity levels.
Mental Health Forum in Port Pirie
Mental health consumers, carers and community members in Port Pirie and surrounding areas are being invited to an opportunity to network and share views about mental health services at a forum in Port Pirie on Thursday 9th May. The forum is the third to take place in country South Australia this year and will be held at The Hub, Alexander Street in Port Pirie between 10am and 2pm. Experts by Experience forums have been held throughout regional South Australia over the past two years with information days in Whyalla and Port Augusta in 2012.
35 years of service at Port Augusta Hospital
Port Augusta Nurse Marg Keelan is celebrating 35 years of working at Port Augusta Hospital. Country Health SA (CHSA) recently awarded Marg with a ‘35 Years of Service’ Certificate and badge at a celebration to mark the occasion. Now working on the Casuarina Ward as a Midwife, Marg started working at Port Augusta Hospital on the children’s ward in December 1973. Ros McRae, Regional Director for the Eyre, Flinders and Far North Region, thanked Marg for her years of service on behalf of patients and all staff.
Council donation lifts Penola Hospital residents
Residents at Penola Hospital’s aged care centres are benefiting from a new Salsa Stand Lifter thanks to a $3,888 donation from Wattle Range Council. Watttle Range Council Mayor, Peter Gandolfi, recently presented a cheque to the hospital for the purchase of the lifter. Julie Puddy, Executive Officer and Director of Nursing at Penola Hospital, said the lifter would benefit residents at both Jarvis Wing and Pinchunga aged care centres. “This kind of equipment is really valuable to our residents and staff so donations such as this are greatly appreciated,” she said.
Site works start at Port Lincoln Hospital
Enabling works have begun at Port Lincoln Hospital to ready the site for the start of construction on the $39.2 million hospital redevelopment in May. Port Lincoln construction company, Kym Clarke Constructions, has been sub-contracted to carry out the enabling works and is now on site.
Access2HomeCare roled out across Country SA
Older people in need of home and community care services are benefiting from the roll-out of the phone based screening service Access2HomeCare across the rest of country South Australia. The service provides information and referral to local home and community care services for people aged 65 years and older or 50 years and older if they’re from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
New Pharmacists start at Whyalla Hospital
Patients at Whyalla Hospital will benefit from new pharmacists and easier access to medicine with the implementation on Thursday (4 April) of new pharmaceutical reforms announced last year. An additional pharmacist, a part-time technician and one intern pharmacist have started work at Whyalla Hospital as part of the joint initiative between SA Pharmacy and Country Health SA (CHSA).
Jarvis residents are Wii fit
Staff and volunteers at Penola War Memorial Hospital are exploring new ways of encouraging aged care residents to be more active and have fun new experiences. The hospital recently received a $339 grant from the Stand Like Stone Foundation to purchase a Nintendo Wii console and assorted games for use by residents in the Jarvis Wing. Jayne Downs, South East Regional Director for Country Health SA, said interactive video games were increasingly being used in aged care settings and rehabilitation centres.
Pulmonary rehabilitation program in the Riverland
People in the Riverland living with a chronic lung condition are being invited to take part in a free eight-week community-based pulmonary rehabilitation program in Berri. The Country Health SA program is run at Riverland Community Health Service and offers participants a range of supervised exercise and education sessions, providing information on how to better self-manage their condition at home. Associate Clinical Services Coordinator Sarah Voigt, who runs the program, said groups would be starting on Tuesday 30 April, Tuesday 23 July and Tuesday 15 October 2013.
Yorke Peninsula teens represent rural South Australia at National Youth Forum
Three Yorke Peninsula teenagers have shared their views on mental health issues affecting young people in rural communities at a Youth Forum in Sydney. Hayley Sawley, Rosie Daly and Adele Venning attended the Young and Well Cooperation Research (CRC) workshop on behalf of Country Health SA (CHSA). CHSA is working with Flinders University, Inspire Australia and the CRC to develop and trial a national online wellbeing centre to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in rural communities. Bronwyn Ryan, Project Officer at CHSA’s Mental Health Services, said the girls made a great contribution to the forum.
South East health career push for Aboriginal Students
Two newly qualified Aboriginal nurses and one trainee cadet nurse at Mount Gambier are encouraging more Aboriginal students in the South East to consider careers in the region’s public health sector. Their call comes as Country Health SA (CHSA) prepares to hold an Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Careers Expo in Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Millicent in June. Enrolled Nurse Bianca Wilson was appointed to a 12 month part-time contract at Mount Gambier Hospital in June 2012 after completing a Diploma of Enrolled Nursing Course. “You need to have a sense of self drive, take every opportunity in life and make the best of it. When you do, you can achieve anything,” she said. Registered Nurse Cathy Bulner, 47, said it was vital to attract more Aboriginal people into the health sector.
Locum doctor starts at Penola Medical Clinic
Dr Godfrey Sibanda has started working at Penola Medical Clinic as the first of three locum doctors secured to provide medical cover. Jayne Downs, South East Regional Director for Country Health SA (CHSA), said Dr Sibanda has worked previously as a GP in Millicent and other country locations. Ms Downs said Dr Sibanda will be on site from today following the departure of the previous GP, Dr Francois Pretorius, on Friday. “Dr Sibanda will be providing GP services in Penola Medical Clinic as well as after hours inpatient and emergency care at the hospital,” she said.
Port Lincoln Redevelopment
Five Mossop Construction + Interiors have been appointed the managing contractor for the $39.2 million Port Lincoln Hospital redevelopment. This funding is being provided by the Australian Government through the Health and Hospitals Fund. Mossop Construction + Interiors has also been appointed managing contractor for construction of the $800,000 State-funded dialysis unit and the $500,000 Australian Government-funded chemotherapy unit which will be built concurrently at the hospital. Michele Smith, Country Health SA Regional Director for the Eyre, Flinders and Far North, said enabling works would start on the site in April 2013 with the redevelopment expected to be completed in November 2014.
‘Superman’ art work to highlight men’s health issues in Victor Harbor
Art work exploring men’s attitudes to their health in the region will go on show at the Southern Fleurieu Health Service in Victor Harbor this month. Men from the Southern Fleurieu have been working with respected local artist Michael Tye to tell their health stories and produce a series of six ‘Superman’ themed paintings. The ‘Tough Guise’ art project, which includes recordings of local men talking about how they sought help for their health problems, will be installed on the front of the health service building on Harbour View Terrace.
New pharmacists start at Port Pirie Hospital
Patients at Port Pirie Hospital will benefit from new pharmacists and easier access to medicine with the implementation tomorrow (Tuesday 12 February) of new pharmaceutical reforms announced last year. An additional two pharmacists, a part-time technician and one intern pharmacist have started work at the hospital as part of the joint initiative between SA Pharmacy and County Health SA.
Join the Walk yourself happy challenge
Port Lincoln Health Services is encouraging organisations in Port Lincoln and Lower Eyre to take part the inaugural ‘Walk Yourself Happy’ Corporate Challenge, walking the virtual distance from Port Lincoln to Perth. The challenge will run for 10 weeks from Monday 18 February and aims to encourage people to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting down during the day. Teams of five will aim to accrue a total of approximately 3.3 million steps, which is the total of steps if five people were to walk from Port Lincoln to Perth.
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