The decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to backflip on its restriction on the availability of an asthma medication highlights that its decisions are not set in stone.

Welcoming the reversal, National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Trent Twomey said it was a pragmatic and common sense win for patients.

“Quite clearly the original decision to restrict availability of this important medicine was wrong,” Professor Twomey said.

“There was no logic to it, and the PBAC has now seen sense.”

Under the PBAC decision last month, the medicines for children aged six years and under had to be initially prescribed by a respiratory specialist, and then could only be prescribed with authority approval by Medicare.

Additionally, patients over the age of six could no longer access the medicine as a pharmaceutical benefit, forcing them to buy privately which imposed a significant cost burden, primarily for those with concessional status. Also, there were no equivalent alternatives available for patients over the age of six.

Australia’s largest provider network, UnitingCare Australia has welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement to give more than 250,000 aged care workers a much needed pay rise. 

“Older people and their families, workers providing care, and the families who rely on those workers. This overdue pay rise will go a long way toward dealing with the cost-of-living crisis the lowest paid workers are currently facing,” said UnitingCare Australia National Director, Claerwen Little. 

“We know that investing in our aged care workforce is essential for the well-being of older Australians. This increase will help attract and retain skilled workers and we reaffirm our pledge to pass on this additional funding to staff. 

“UnitingCare Australia was the first national aged care body to publicly support a 25% pay rise for workers in March 2022. We boldly costed the ask and put our support behind our workforce. 

“Millions of Australians depend on the care sector every day to provide vital services that support individuals and communities to thrive. As the largest and fastest growing employer in the country, the opportunity for the care sector to be transformational for Australia’s future is boldly evident. We have an historic opportunity to advance gender equality through a strengthened care workforce,” said Ms Little. 

Que President Kathie Whitchurch hands over the first box of Teddies to a delighted Daniel Wright

First drought, then fires, floods and Covid have affected all Australians, but not just the human population, they have also devastated the numbers of new, knitted teddy bears. 

Our Que Club members heard rumours that this year’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic might not go ahead, but we only realised the gravity of the situation when the Ambos called to tell us that their bear cupboard was completely bare and asked for help. 

Our ambulances usually carry two of these bears which they find a tremendous help in comforting distressed children. 

Those of us who can knit have been very busy and we have some other people in the wider community helping as well. However we need more knitters and, for those who can’t knit we would also appreciate donation of 8ply wool or acrylic for those who can. 

We have patterns available, and yarn may be left in the box at Parkes Decor which is also where people may also leave their finished teddies. 

We are looking to cover the whole region and we certainly need more help. 

For more information please call on 0407 894 498. 

By Pam Nankivell 

The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable. The bad news is that the best tool for heart disease prevention – the Medicare Heart Health Check – is about to expire. 

The Heart Foundation is seeking a guarantee from the Australian Government that funding will continue beyond 30th of June this year. 

Nearly 440,000 Australians have seen their GP for a Medicare subsidised Heart Health Check since they were introduced. 

The Heart Foundation is asking the Government to invest $11.5 million per year, to continue subsidising Heart Health Checks into the future. 

This is a relatively small investment compared to the $1 billion in healthcare costs that could be saved with broad uptake of Heart Health Checks in high-risk Australians and more importantly, the 67,000 heart attacks, strokes and heart disease related deaths that could be prevented over five years. 

It’s not too late for people to take action: Help save Medicare Heart Health Checks by signing our petition, writing to local MPs and sharing the petition with friends and family. 

To take action, please visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/save-heart-checks 

Don’t walk past, come in and meet Registered nurse, Bill (Pictured) for your free health check.

Calling all Parkes and surrounding local men, when is the last time you, or the men in your life, had a health check up? 

“Saving men’s lives” is the catch cry of the Rotary Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV). MHERV is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Warners Bay in collaboration with local Rotary clubs and other community groups in each area it visits. 

With the support of the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) a Registered Nurse undertakes free basic check-ups for “blokes” – and for ladies to come in and have a free health check. 

The purpose-built MHERV van is staffed by a male Nurse, Bill Power. It offers free of charge health screening services for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Blood Sugar (Diabetes). The consultation takes about 10 minutes and provides immediate results, helping to improve health outcomes for men. 

Bill has the knack for being able to relax even the most stressed clients. During the confidential consultation, Bill takes the opportunity to also chat about other health related concerns, including state of mind. This service is offered in a relaxed, confidential and informal setting under COVID safe Guidelines. 

The Nurse submits a daily report to the Program Management team at Rotary Club of Warners Bay from which statistics are gathered. Over the last 4 years the results have averaged approximately 4% who have required urgent attention, around 40% are advised to follow up on something with their GP in the next week and 56% are encouraged to keep up the good work. 

Over the past four years the van has seen over 12,000 people so it has potentially saved over four hundred and fifty people from a severe health event. 

MHERV will be located at The Little Theatre, 34 Bogan Street, Parkes on Thursday 2nd of March 9:30am – 3:30pm. 

IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/

A newly released melanoma hotspot map has highlighted the extreme danger of overexposure to UV radiation from the sun, with 23 of the 25 melanoma hotspots located in regional NSW.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said with summer now upon us, the map is a reminder to take simple protective measures.

“This should be a real reminder to our regional communities, if you step outside, apply sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, cover up and seek shade,” Mrs Taylor said.

Melanoma is the most common cancer among young Australians and the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in all Australians.

Ninety-five percent of melanoma and 99 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun.

Cancer Institute NSW recently launched a powerful new skin cancer campaign targeting the 70 percent of 18-24 year olds who fail to protect their skin.

The campaign focuses on the invisible but potentially lethal threat of UV radiation.

The most effective defence against UV radiation is to follow the Slip, Slop, Slap. Make sure to apply SPF50+ sunscreen, pop on a wide brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses.