The Health News – 10 January 2014

Overview

• The Queensland state coroner is soon to commence an investigation into the case of a 9-year-old boy from south Brisbane, who died less than a day after being discharged from hospital in Brisbane.

• There are concerns from Wagga residents who are advocating a hospice for the area that they are being silenced. Craig Hesketh, a local advocate said the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has declined to hold a public forum on the issue.

• In NSW paramedic union has raised concerns that some New South Wales stations are being staffed entirely by interns.

• As millions of people return to work this month after enjoying a summer break, beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell has reassured people that it‟s normal to experience the “back-to-work blues” for a few days.

Health News on HPR.

Hunter Marr case: Qld coroner to examine why 9yo boy died after release from hospital – by Andree Whitney

The Queensland state coroner is soon to commence an investigation into the case of a 9-year-old boy from south Brisbane, who died less than a day after being discharged from hospital in Brisbane. Huner Marr died at home in Ormeau 19 hours after he was discharged from the Mater children’s hospital. He was being assessed and treated for breathing difficulties. Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has promised to implement all of the state coroner’s recommendations resulting from the fatality. Mater hospital and Queensland ambulance service are conducting internal reviews on the incident.

Concerns Wagga residents are being silenced in their bid for better palliative care – by Chloe Hart
There are concerns from Wagga residents who are advocating a hospice for the area that they are being silenced. Craig Hesketh, a local advocate said the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has declined to hold a public forum on the issue, in fear of a backlash from residents. He said the department’s deal with Calvary private hospital for public patients to access emergency and short term care was passed without adequate scrutiny or public consultation. He claims the city requires a public hospice with specialised palliative care health professionals, but the that health district is running scared. scared. “There’s possibly a lot of angst out there in the community in relation to the way things have been done in the past,” he said. “I would honestly say that they’re concerned that they are going to get dragged over the coals by very concerned people in the public.”

Paramedic interns working solo at NSW ambulance stations – no author listed

In NSW paramedic union has raised concerns that some New South Wales stations are being staffed entirely by interns.
The Emergency Medical Services Protection Association said some of its intern members are reportedly to staff stations alone at times. The president of the association Wayne Flint says interns being left alone is more common in remote and regional areas where it is difficult to attract experienced staff. He says it is a potentially dangerous situation for both patients and the interns themselves. He said “The concern is they’re inexperienced. There’s a great bunch of interns out there that are on the road at the moment, They’re honing their skills and they’re developing their skills. The position they are being placed in at the moment though is that in a lot of cases they won’t have mentors that have the experience. They might have the academic achievements to support their position but actually having the experience to walk into some of these locations, particularly in the early days, it’s far better to have mentors with them.”
State Opposition spokesman Andrew McDonald believes it is also an unacceptable situation. He said, “To have intern paramedics dealing with high speed car accident by themselves is down right dangerous, This is what happens when you cut $3 billion out of the health system. You’ve got dangerous patient care and a Health Minister refusing to take responsibility for it.”

Back to work blues – Kate Cornell CEO BeyondBlue
As millions of people return to work this month after enjoying a summer break, beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell has reassured people that it‟s normal to experience the “back-to-work blues” for a few days. She said, “It is not uncommon for people to feel a bit, down‟ or flat‟ for a little while after they return from a great break spent among family and friends,” she also said, “Enjoying a relaxing holiday one minute, then suddenly returning to a regimented and sometimes stressful working environment can be tough. But you should adjust back into the normal swing of things within about a week. If you don‟t, it may mean there is an underlying problem which needs attention. For example, if you are feeling panicked, moody, irritable or sad about being at work and these feelings persist, it may be a sign of depression or anxiety.”
Ms Carnell said a new year should inspire people to improve their lives and if work is causing significant stress, it could be affecting their health. “If you’re unhappy with your job, think about what you can do differently,”