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.

Northern NSW Local Health District’s (NNSWLHD) permanent vaccination clinics at Lismore, Tweed Heads and Grafton will wind-up operations in mid-September after more than eighteen months supporting the region’s successful COVID-19 vaccination program.

More than 128,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to date through the clinics, however, with significantly decreased attendance, staff working in the clinics will now be redeployed back to their previous roles in hospitals and health services, where they are needed most.

Aged care residents at Kyogle Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) are set to benefit from upgrades to the shared activity and entertainment spaces at the site, which are expected to be complete early next year.

The new purpose-built residents’ lounge will provide both indoor and outdoor spaces to allow residents and their families and carers to exercise, relax or share a quiet moment away from the busy dining room.

Northern NSW Local Health District has today congratulated local nurse, Emily Green who is among 30 finalists nominated for the 10th annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

Registered Nurse, Emily Green has been selected from nominations across eight categories which recognise nurses and midwives who have made a difference in clinical practice, management and leadership.

Murwillumbah District Hospital will continue to play a substantial and important role in providing health services to the Tweed Valley community well into the future, alongside the new Tweed Valley Hospital once it opens to patients.

Northern NSW Local Health District has recently completed a comprehensive analysis and planning assessment which has determined the mix of health services which will be required at the hospital to meet the healthcare needs of the region.