The Health News – 4 October 2016
Overview:
• Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the Northern Territory would have to apply for a grant for the PET scanner for cancer patients, which was promised by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the lead-up to the federal election. Mr Gunner told Mix 104.9 the federal Health Department informed him on Friday that the money was available but that the Territory Government would have to apply for it.
• Nicole Dynan, an accredited dietician and spokeswoman for the Dietitians’ Association of Australia, said the idea of “meat-free Monday” was a simple way to increase vegetable intake and cut back on animal protein.
• Bob Beveridge has created a fashion start-up in the hope of giving hospital patients back their dignity. The idea for a new type of gown came about after his wife Sharon broke her wrist and was admitted to hospital. The couple found the standard, frayed gowns unappealing and felt patients deserved better options.
News on Health Professional Radio. Today is the 4th of October 2016. Read by Rebecca Foster. Health News
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-03/gunner-says-pet-scanner-still-18-months-away/7898282
Cancer patients in Darwin are going to have to wait up to 18 months to access a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner promised by politicians during the federal election campaign.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the Northern Territory would have to apply for a grant for the scanner, which was promised by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the lead-up to the federal election.
Mr Turnbull made the $15 million commitment during a campaign visit to Darwin in May.
Mr Gunner …told Mix 104.9 the federal Health Department informed him on Friday that the money was available but that the Territory Government would have to apply for it.
“[The letter] says the money is fully committed, so it’s there, but they’re now asking us to lodge a grant application to access that money,” he said.
“So we’re going to do the right thing here, the NT Government will fill out the grant application form to go get the money.”
Mr Gunner said he had assumed the money would be a straight capital grant, and that the NT Government would not have to apply to receive the funds.
He said it would still be up to another 18 months until it was up and running.
The scanner has been promised for years by both sides of politics, with Deputy Liberal Leader Julie Bishop promising in August 2010 to provide the equipment in Darwin if the Coalition won that year’s election.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-03/meat-free-mondays-good-for-your-health-dietician/7897424
Turning vegetarian once or twice a week and leaving steak off the barbecue can do wonders for your health, a leading dietician says.
Nicole Dynan, an accredited dietician and spokeswoman for the Dietitians’ Association of Australia, said the idea of “meat-free Monday” was a simple way to increase vegetable intake and cut back on animal protein.
She[stated that] plant-based diets were some of the healthiest in the world.
“People who eat more plant-based food, like vegetables and fruit, tend to have lower BMIs [body mass index], and reduced risk of developing things like type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol,” Ms Dynan said.
“The thing about vegetables and fruit and plant matter is they give you a lot of micronutrients … in your diet, things like vitamins and minerals, and fibre, which is really beneficial for your gut bacteria and helps your body function better.”
Ms Dynan said Australians ate a lot of meat compared to others around the world — perhaps a bit too much.
Ms Dynan said white meat, such as chicken and fish, was not such a big issue as the overconsumption of red meat.
But it does not mean you have to ditch red meat altogether.
“Red meat is rich in protein, iron, zinc, B12 vitamins and a lot of other nutrients which are hard to replace if you don’t have the time to prepare,” Ms Dynan said.
“Meat-free Monday is just an easy way to try to reduce your overall meat consumption.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-03/retired-army-sergeant-makes-trendy-hospital-gowns/7897540
A 65-year-old retired Army sergeant has created a fashion start-up in the hope of giving hospital patients back their dignity.
The idea for a new type of gown came about after Bob Beveridge’s wife Sharon broke her wrist and was admitted to hospital.
The couple found the standard, frayed gowns unappealing and felt patients deserved better options.
“It did up at the back so your backside was exposed for most of the time,” Mr Beveridge said.
“So I decided to try and do something better.”
Mr Beveridge knew nothing about fashion when he started designing the gowns — so his wife enrolled him into a course.
The gowns come in a range of bright patterns and offer “full rear coverage” with nylon snaps, to avoid interference with medical imaging and help breastfeeding mothers.
They have also been designed to ensure IV drips and other medical equipment can be worn with the gowns.…
“We also decided they needed pockets so you can carry things.”…
The start-up, Hospital Glamour, launched online three months ago.
Mr Beveridge said he hoped to make a difference in people’s lives, even if it was a small one.