The Health News – 11 May 2015

Overview

• More than 2,500 people have taken part in the annual Mothers Day Classic in Hobart to raise money for breast cancer.

• Pregnant Tasmanian women will be entitled to a free whooping cough vaccination from next month.

• AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said that the AMA welcomes the election of Senator Richard Di Natale, a general practitioner, as Leader of The Greens.

This is the news on Health Professional Radio. Today is the 11^th May 2015. Read by Rebecca Foster.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-10/hundreds-run-for-breast-cancer-in-the-mothers-day-classic/6458478

More than 2,500 people have taken part in the annual Mothers Day Classic in Hobart to raise money for breast cancer.

The event is one of Australia’s largest charity events held around the country with about 120,000 people taking part nationally and raising more than $25 million.

Tasmanian organiser Sarah Casey said a large crowd attended the Hobart event.

“We’ve had just over 2,500 people join us … to remember those who we’ve lost to breast cancer and take part in this fantastic event,” she said.

“I’m happy with how its gone considering the weather we had in the lead up to the event and the wind we’ve had today.”

She said many people are affected either directly or indirectly by breast cancer.

…

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-10/mothers-to-be-given-whooping-cough-vaccinations/6458620

Pregnant Tasmanian women will be entitled to a free whooping cough vaccination from next month.

The State Government announced it will fund the vaccine for all women in their third trimester in a bid to protect newborns not yet old enough to have their own vaccine.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the move follows an update to the Australian Immunisation Handbook earlier this year which recommended the vaccination in late pregnancy.

“Contemporary evidence shows that the ideal time for vaccination is between weeks 28 and 32 of pregnancy,” he said.

“Getting the vaccination during the last trimester of pregnancy gives babies protective immunity from birth up until their own vaccinations start to work.”

He said the vaccination would be available from General Practitioners and Councils that provide adult vaccinations.

https://ama.com.au/media/gp-lead-greens

AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, said …that the AMA welcomes the election of Senator Richard Di Natale, a general practitioner, as Leader of The Greens.

“There is no doubt that health policy will be front and centre for the Greens under Senator Di Natale’s leadership,” A/Prof Owler said.

“He is a GP with a special interest in public health.

“He has worked in the front line of health service delivery, including in Aboriginal health, and he is a strong voice about the harms to individuals and the community from alcohol and drug abuse.

“As Health spokesman, he regularly sought advice and discussion about health policy. He listens, and is not afraid to [pro]actively prosecute his views.

“Senator Di Natale has been very consultative with the AMA at both the Federal and State level.

“We congratulate him on his election, and we look forward to continuing our constructive working relationship with The Greens on health policy.”

A/Prof Owler said that the AMA wishes outgoing Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, every success in the next stages of her career and family life.

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