North Coast Population and Public Health is encouraging the community to stay on alert and get tested, with a sharp rise in syphilis cases reported across the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions.

Syphilis remains a significant issue across the NSW North Coast, which is currently experiencing an increase in cases far higher than the five-year average.

After 23 years working for NSW Health in the Northern Rivers, eight of them as Chief Executive for the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), Wayne Jones has announced he is leaving the role in late February.

“I have made the very difficult decision to step down as the Chief Executive of the District, making way for new leadership and allowing me to focus my time and energy on another critical role within the NSW Health system,” Mr Jones said.

Patients, carers and staff at Murwillumbah District Hospital are set to benefit from a suite of improvements to hospital facilities as part of an almost $2 million renovation.

Construction work will commence 28 January 2023 to upgrade the emergency department triage area and reception, medical imaging reception, palliative care room and fire safety measures throughout the site.

The final stage of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment is now complete, with the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government delivering a world-class hospital and community health campus that will provide the highest standard of healthcare for patients in a growing region of NSW. 

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor and Duty MLC for Lismore Ben Franklin officially opened the new buildings today, capping off almost a decade of construction throughout the many stages of the $312 million project.

People aged 60 and over in the Northern Rivers will soon have more options to help them stay fit, with applications now open for the ‘Active Ageing’ grants program. 

Active Ageing grants are now available to support exercise providers and fitness leaders to provide low-cost exercise programs for people over the age of 60 in the Northern Rivers. 

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is providing eight grants of $500 to support existing group exercise programs and five grants of $800 to help start new group exercise programs. 

Patients in Northern NSW continued to receive high quality care throughout the busy winter period, amid sustained high demand for emergency care. 

The latest quarterly BHI figures reveal of the 53,078 people attended NNSWLHD hospital Emergency Departments

The latest Bureau of Health Information Healthcare Quarterly report (July – September 2022) captures a challenging period for Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), as winter illnesses and ongoing furloughing of staff continued to place pressure on the health system.

The BreastScreen NSW mobile van is in Byron Bay from 14 – 21 December at the Cavanbah Centre on Ewingsdale Road.

Free mammograms are provided to eligible women aged between 50 and 74 and there’s no referral needed. A mammogram can pick up cancers that cannot be seen or felt.

In NSW one in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Jane Walsh, Director of BreastScreen North Coast says a screening mammogram is one of the most important things women aged 50-74 can do for their health.

Northern NSW Local Health District is inviting members of the community to its Annual Public Meeting at 2.00pm onWednesday, 30 November at Lismore Base Hospital.

The meeting will include presentations from Chief Executive Wayne Jones and Board Chair Mark Humphries on the health district’s performance, recent achievements, and updates on the Tweed Valley Hospital project and Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment.