Northern NSW Local Health District is urging residents to continue to do the little things to keep the local community safe amid NSW’s fourth COVID wave.

Director North Coast Population and Public Health, Dr Paul Douglas, said protecting each other was especially important given the current wave of cases and the seasonal movement of people into the region.

Patients receiving care at hospitals in Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) in 2021 have given local health staff excellent ratings in the Bureau of Health Information’s latest Adult Admitted Patient Survey, released today.

Patients from across NNSWLHD provided positive feedback on their experiences during a period of significant upheaval for the Northern NSW community, with 92 per cent saying the care they received at local hospitals was ‘very good’ or ‘good’.

After the recent heavy rainfall event in the Northern Rivers, North Coast Population and Public Health is encouraging people to stay safe and remember the basics of flood water safety.

It is important to avoid unnecessary contact with contaminated floodwater, and to take precautions when dealing with floodwater.

Flood affected water may contain diluted sewage and contaminants, as well as debris build up from the previous flooding. Additionally, be wary of snakes, spiders and rats that may have taken refuge in or near your home.

Podiatrist Monique Wilson-Stott cares for patients in the High Risk Foot Service in Lismore, where her team looks after people with complex foot complications with the aim of reducing their need for hospital admission or surgery. 

“We are often a point of contact for people with foot wounds, providing wound care and linking them with other allied health services which help people with diabetes reduce their risk of ulceration and amputations,” Monique said.

With more than 290 women in Northern NSW Local Health District expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, BreastScreen NSW are urging eligible women this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to book their free breast screen. 

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in NSW, with one in seven being diagnosed in their lifetime. 

Professor Tracey O’Brien, Chief Cancer Officer NSW and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW said that age and being female are the two biggest risk factors to developing breast cancer. 

Northern NSW set to benefit from Local Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives

People across Northern NSW are to benefit from a grants scheme which will see a number of schools, community groups and organisations receive up to $5,000 for initiatives to support them in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

High activity at Northern NSW emergency departments

The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly report released today shows emergency department activity was high during the April to June 2022 quarter, as the Omicron wave continued to drive high COVID-19 cases and the flu season reached its peak.

Communities across the Northern NSW region are being urged to be aware of the risk of lead poisoning as they repair and rebuild structures and landholdings after this year’s floods.

North Coast Public Health Unit is encouraging communities to use appropriate protection when fixing their homes, particularly older structures which may contain lead-based primers, paints or dust in roofs and wall cavities that can become a significant health risk.