IMAGE CREDIT: http://www.royalfarwest.org.au/programs/healthy-kids-bus-stop/

Royal Far West and Project Sprouts will be delivering free child health checks for children aged 3-5 through the Healthy Kids Bus Stop program, which is coming to Parkes, Peak Hill and Trundle from Monday, 24th May to Friday, 28th May.

Assessments include a hearing screening, dental check, fine and gross motor skill development screening, speech and language development check, all at the one location in either a morning or afternoon appointment.

Identifying children’s developmental issues before they start school is critical to their life trajectory and this program was developed to help identify children who will benefit from early intervention prior to starting school. Children requiring further assessment will be referred to appropriate local services.

Of the 105 children from Parkes Shire screened in October last year, 69 required referrals in one or more areas.

Children must be registered to attend the Healthy Kids Bus Stop and must be accompanied by an adult on the day. Registrations can be done at http://www.royalfarwest.org.au/programs/healthy-kids-bus-stop/, or by ringing Royal Far West on 8966 8557.

To find out more about Project Sprouts, please ring Parkes Coordinator Fiona Francis on 0436 457 512.

By Wednesday afternoon the nominated medical practice in Parkes that is included in the COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout had not yet received its supply of the vaccination.

The Currajong Street Medical Centre is part of the Phase 1b rollout that started on Monday. The centre had no indication when the vaccination would arrive, and could only put people on a waiting list.

A total of 56 practices across the Western NSW Primary Health Network (PHN) will be involved in the rollout. As there is currently limited stock of imported vaccine, GPs will be provided with limited stocks and will receive deliveries weekly. According to the Western NSW PHN website residents can rest assured that as more practices become involved during the first four weeks of Phase 1b, there will be ample opportunity for everyone eligible to be vaccinated in a timely manner.

The following groups are eligible in the Phase 1b rollout: people aged 70 years and over; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 years and over; health care workers not vaccinated during Phase 1a; people aged 18 years and over with specified underlying medical conditions; and critical and high-risk workers.

The Western NSW Local Health District will start providing COVID-19 vaccinations to its staff from Monday, 22nd March.

“The Australian Government has developed a schedule that will see the most at-risk groups receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible,” said Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan.

“Phase 1a includes healthcare workers who work in areas such as emergency departments and intensive care units, as well as aged care residents. Phase 1b includes all other healthcare workers.”

There will be fixed clinics in Orange and Dubbo for healthcare workers from Monday, while the Bathurst clinic will open on Tuesday. Two mobile clinics will also be in operation from Monday visiting all the smaller health facilities over the coming weeks that include facilities in the Parkes Shire. Eligible Lachlan Health Service staff will be contacted directly with information on how to make an appointment when the service comes to their site.

“The vaccination requires two injections at least 12 weeks apart, so staff will be booked in for both their appointments for the Ox-ford/AstraZeneca vaccine. “The Oxford/AstraZeneca offers advantages for our district given the challenges of distance,” said Scott.

The general public will be vaccinated according to the Australian Government’s schedule. “I would encourage people to use the online eligibility checker to see when and how they can access vaccination.

“This is a really exciting development. Our staff, and our communities have been incredible in taking action to minimise the spread of COVID-19, and we all want the vaccination program to be a success.”

Maryann is a sleep consultant located in Parkes. She supports children from birth to five years to get the best possible sleep they can. Her support to families include writing personalised plans that are suited to their parenting style and the child’s temperament. Maryann believes there is no one solution and each family and child has individual needs. The personalised plans take a holistic approach. They include feeding, nutrition, sleep environment, sleep associations, routines, night-time needs and much more.

Maryann is excited to offer in home consultations to families in the central west, saving families trips to Sydney or Canberra. She also offers phone and email consultations. She has supported families across the world from the UK, USA, Germany, to the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and all over NSW.

To book a consultation with Maryann to to her website www.littlezzzsleepconsultant.com.au or give her a call on 0400 319 626.

Anne-Marie Randell of Eugowra.

Anne-Marie Randell of Eugowra walks from Parkes to Canberra every second year in support of brain cancer research. She has done this walk since 2016 after losing her cousin, Annie Lymbery, to brain cancer in November 2015. Annie was only 62 years old when she passed away leaving behind her partner, Stewart, of 10 years and four beautiful children.

When Annie was diagnosed, she was only given a few weeks. With only her pure will and determination to live and beat the cancer, along with radiation treatment, she was able to spend some precious time with friends and family. Still, she was taken too soon.

Anne-Marie was very close to her cousin Annie and when she passed away, Anne-Marie felt moved to raise awareness, show her support of those affected by brain cancer and raise lifesaving funds. That was when she came up with the idea of the walk. A group of Anne-Marie’s closest family and friends, including her cousin Annie’s daughter Caitlin and Annie’s partner Stewart, will join her for the 300km journey through country NSW. If you would like to support Anne-Marie go to her fundraising page at Do It For Cancer – Annie’s Walk For A Cure 2021

Parents and carers with children starting childcare, primary or secondary school are urged to ensure they are up to date with their immunisations. Director of Health Protection, Dr Richard Broome, said while the NSW vaccination rate was high, some children have missed important vaccines to protect against highly infectious diseases like whooping cough and measles.

“Last year and this year continue to be challenging for many families, but timely childhood vaccination must remain a top priority in the daily lives of busy families,” he said. Children can only be enrolled in childcare in NSW where documented evidence is provided that they are fully immunised for their age, are on a recognised catch-up schedule or have a medical reason not to be vaccinated.

“Making sure that all children are up to date with their immunisations reduces their risk of getting a serious illness and also helps those who can’t be fully vaccinated, like newborn babies and the elderly.”

Immunisation requirements in primary schools were extended in 2018 to include secondary schools. Principals are now required to request an immunisation history statement when students enrol. Parents can download their child’s statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) from myGov, the Medicare Express Plus App or the AIR enquiry line on 1800 653 809. GP clinics are safe to attend during COVID-19. For more information visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/Immunisation-in-schools.aspx

Summer has set in and while everyone wants to soak up those summer rays, it is extremely important to stay SUN SAFE.

Increasing temperatures lead to an increase in dehydration, particularly in the elderly and young children. Your body needs both water and electrolytes to help you through the day. Water helps you digest food and maintain a normal body temperature, while electrolytes help keep your muscles functioning.

In the heat, or if you are unwell, the balance of water and electrolytes may become disturbed leading to dehydration. Look out for the following signs and symptoms: a dry or sticky mouth; increased thirst; fatigue; headache; decreased urine output and dark yellow urine.

In young children, it can be quite hard to see the signs of dehydration. Look out for dark yellow urine, fewer wet nappies or dry lips.

If you are getting older or care for an elderly person, it’s important to recognise the above signs as elderly persons are at a higher risk of dehydration. A vital sign of dehydration in the elderly is reduced sweating.

How to stay hydrated:
• Keep a water bottle nearby to make a habit of drinking water regularly – at least 8-10 glasses per day.
• At the first signs of dehydration, increase your fluid intake by drinking a large glass of water or sipping on replacement solutions such as Hydralyte (might be better tolerated if frozen).
• Avoid sugary drinks.
• Introduce more ‘wet’ foods into your diet, such as jelly or soup.

Come and see our pharmacists or staff about what else you can do to stay hydrated and safe this summer!