HMRI Announces New Partnership for Cardiovascular Treatment

 BY PETER HYSLOP

The Hunter Medical Research Institute says it will have greater capacity to provide new clinical treatments for cardiovascular disease.

The institute has signed a memorandum of understanding with pharmaceutical giant Novartis, to explore new research opportunities.

Chief executive FRANCES KAY-LAMBKIN says she hopes more treatments are on the way.

Novartis Australia and New Zealand President Matt Zeller says the partnership is an important step for advancing quality treatment.

“Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in Australia, and we must be willing to work together, across the ecosystem, to try new things and see what can actually reduce the burden on communities, patients, and their families," he said.

HMRI Chief Executive Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin says it will fast-track research into practice.

"Traditionally, it can take up to 17 years for research discoveries to make it from the lab to the hands of clinicians. Collaborations like this with Novartis provide the additional funding, resources, and linkages needed to significantly shorten that timeline, directly benefiting patients and the broader community," she said.

Researcher in action. Credit: HMRI

State Government Asked to Rule Out Sell off or Shut Down of Wallsend Aged Care Facility

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Staff and patients at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility are raising concern the centre might be sold off or shut down. 

Patient numbers have reportedly dropped from 98 to 55 over the past 12 months, with staff reporting no new residents have been taken on since January 2020 last year, resulting in cuts to staff shifts.

The facility has also allegedly stopped taking on undergraduate Registered Nurses.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery presented a notice of motion in parliament on Tuesday calling on the Health Minister to confirm there are no plans to close or privatise the State Government owned facility.

"It's a special facility, it looks after some of the most difficult cases of people with dementia that many other facilities wont take." 

Ms Hornery says successive Governments have attempted to close or privatise the facility in the past, including the NSW Labor Government in 2009, and the community have fought to keep it open. 

"The Government has a history of not maintaining the facility as they should."

In 2017, the facility failed an audit by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency, reportedly due to management failing to provide a safe and comfortable environment for residents.

Cleaning and catering staff were found to be under-resourced.

Ms Hornery says any move to close or sell the facility would simply be an attempt to cut costs. 

“I look forward to hearing from the Minister and I hope that the answer is what the community wants to hear because if it’s not, then he can expect another very public and vocal campaign, just like last time."

Hunter New England Health says residents and their families can continue to expect a high level of care at the facility, and while the organization didn't rule out staff have had their hours reduced, it says there have been no staff cuts.

 The facility continues to be staffed by registered nurses, including those completing the undergraduate program.

"Across the region, we have experienced a number of bed vacancies at our aged care facilities, due to the reluctance of families and carers to admit their loved ones during the pandemic," HNEH said in a statement.

"While we have not received any requests for admissions since March 2020, any future requests will be assessed through the usual processes. If the level of care is appropriate for the person’s needs, they will be admitted."

In 2020, the facility was surveyed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and was found to be compliant with all Aged Care Quality Standards.

 The facility was commended on its high standard of clinical care, provided through feedback from residents and their families. 

The Health Minister has been contacted for comment. 

Hunter New England Health Working with Traffic Consultants to Fix Congestion at John Hunter Hospital

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter New England Health acknowledge more needs to be done to reduce traffic gridlocks at John Hunter Hospital, while waiting for the completion of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass. 

Traffic conditions were temporarily eased last year due to covid-19, but have reportedly worsened in recent months.

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery moved a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament on Tuesday, calling on the Health and Transport Ministers to do more for the staff and visitors to John Hunter Hospital, who remain trapped in what she says is a "constant traffic nightmare."

The primary and secondary access points for the John Hunter campus are closely located to each other, and connected only to Lookout Road, a major road with significant traffic constraints. 

Peak hour traffic impacts heavily on Lookout Road causing delays stretching both North and South, which causes traffic congestion on the campus.

Staff and visitors to the Hospital reportedly face a daily wait of more than an hour just to exit the Hospital campus. 

In 2020, changes were made to the intersection at Jacaranda Drive and Lookout Road to allow vehicles to turn right.  

"While the recent works have had some impact on traffic flow, we acknowledge more needs to be done," Hunter New England Health's Executive Director Infrastructure and Planning, Dr Ramsey Awad says. 

Traffic planning for the $780 million investment in the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct will include a direct connection to the new bypass interchange, being delivered as part of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass. 

Areas for additional parking and public transport connections will also be considered as part of the project’s planning process. 

"While traffic congestion will not be fully resolved until the Bypass is completed, we do recognise that shorter term solutions are needed in the meantime," Dr Awad says. 

 "We are currently considering strategies with the help of traffic consultants to identify additional improvements to traffic flow." 

Ms Hornery also called for the return of a shuttle bus service which ran from McDonald Jones Stadium, with John Hunter Staff reportedly starting their own petition calling for the reinstatement of the shuttle bus during peak hours.

“Since the Government cut the shuttle bus in 2015, the road around the hospital has become completely gridlocked at peak periods of the day," Ms Hornery says. 

“This impacts significantly on staff trying to get to school and childcare pickups on time for their children.  Parents are often very stressed, not knowing if they will make it in time to collect their children and often they are forced to call around to see who might be able to help them out.

“The one thing that is guaranteed to get traffic off the road is to give staff options to park and ride from Hunter Stadium." 

However Hunter New England Health say there are no plans to reinstate the shuttle bus service.

"It was introduced to ease car parking pressure before an additional 700 car parking spaces were provided at the hospital in 2015," Dr Awad says. 

"The shuttle bus transported a small number of people in the morning and afternoon peak times. Its return would have a minimal impact on reducing traffic congestion."

Image Credit: Daily Telegraph 

Crew Member Aboard Vessel Docked at Port of Newcastle, Being Treated for Covid-19 in John Hunter

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A crew member on a coal ship, berthed in the Port of Newcastle is being treated in John Hunter Hospital for COVID-19.

Precautionary COVID-19 testing was undertaken late Thursday, by NSW Health at Port of Newcastle’s Channel Berth on crew aboard the Anacapa Light, following its arrival from Brisbane.

An Indian national aged in his 20s displayed symptoms.

Its reported he is  "currently well" and infection control measures are in place at the hospital. 

13 crew remain in quarantine aboard the ship, which is due to leave the port on Saturday night. 

NSW Chief health officer, Kerry Chant is stressing the case poses no risk to the community.

"Port of Newcastle continues to take seriously the government advice about preventative measures. We continue to work with all agencies involved in the movement of vessels, crew and cargo through the port, including vessel operators, Australian Border Force, NSW Health, NSW Police, Department of Agriculture and Port Authority of New South Wales," the Port of Newcastle said in a Statement. 

"Our measures and actions are informed by and aligned with the official advice and requirements."

 

Q Fever Causing Extreme Fatigue in Hunter Farmers, with 20 Cases Recorded In Local Health District This year

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter New England Local Health  (HNELHD) is strongly urging farmers and people who work with livestock to get vaccinated against Q fever as lambing and calving continues throughout spring.

Q fever is a bacterial infection carried by animals - such as cattle, sheep and goats - and can lead to chronic lethargy that may last for several months.

So far this year, there have been 20 recorded cases of Q fever in the Local Health District. The District records about 50 cases per year with many more cases remaining undiagnosed in the community.

Population Health’s Peter Massey, said a single dose vaccine is recommended for people who work in high-risk occupations, as well as for people aged 15 years and over who could be exposed to Q fever.

“The risk of ongoing health issues, such as heart disease and chronic fatigue, can really hit individuals and families hard,” Dr Massey said.

“With all the pressure on farmers and livestock handlers with the drought and now COVID-19, the last thing we want is for them to be needlessly drained of energy for months on end after being struck down by Q fever.”

People can become infected when they breathe in dust particles contaminated by infected animal secretions or just close contact with livestock and even some native animals. Q fever can lead to high fevers and chills, sweating, severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and extreme fatigue.

Dr Massey urged anyone who might be at risk to consult a GP who can screen for Q fever and vaccinate them, if needed.

“We want people to proactively talk to their doctor about Q fever,” he said.

Children who help with farm animals may also be at risk, but the vaccine is not recommended for children younger than 15 years.

Dr Massey said many of the behaviours adopted during COVID-19 can help keep people safe including regular handwashing and masks.

“Really good hand washing, using protective masks, protective clothing and removing clothes worn for chores outside before entering the family home are behaviours to be reinforced because they can protect those who cannot be vaccinated.”

The NSW Government is investing around $1 million between 2018 and 2022 to help protect farmers and other people in rural areas who work with animals from Q fever.

NSW Health is currently delivering an education campaign targeting people in occupations and locations at higher risk of Q fever.

For more information on Q fever, go to the NSW Health website. 

Plans for the $780 Million John Hunter Hospital Building Unveiled

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Concept designs for the new, seven-storey Acute Services Building for John Hunter and John Hunter’s Children’s hospitals has been unveiled.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $780 million health and innovation precinct at John Hunter would drive significant economic growth in Newcastle region, generating jobs in construction and health.

“John Hunter Hospital is one of the busiest hospitals in NSW and this investment will provide enhanced health facilities ensuring the region has a world-class hospital to cater to its growing population,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Construction of the precinct will support more than 3,000 jobs over the life of the project helping stimulate the economy, a key component of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the redevelopment will significantly increase critical care capacity, with a 60 per cent increase in the Intensive Care Unit capacity and almost 50 per cent more theatres, interventional suites and procedural spaces.

“The Precinct will drive innovative collaborations between the health, education and research sectors, ultimately improving patient outcomes for communities in the Hunter region,” Mr Hazzard said.

The new Acute Services Building will include;

•  A new emergency department
• Critical care services (adult and paediatric)
• Operating theatres, interventional and imaging service
• Birthing suite and inpatient maternity unit
• Neonatal intensive care and special care nursery
• Larger and redeveloped inpatient units
•  Rooftop helipad

Stage 1 of an interim Emergency Department expansion has also been completed early as part of NSW Government’s COVID-19 response.

“I’m also pleased the Emergency Department expansion was delivered five months ahead of schedule, providing an additional 12 dedicated paediatric treatment areas and additional capacity to deal with the pandemic, with Stage 2 scheduled for completion early next year,” Mr Hazzard said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Catherine Cusack, said the new Acute Services Building will serve the Hunter region for many years to come.

“This is a great opportunity to share the future vision of the Precinct, which will transform health care in the Hunter, bringing expanded, enhanced health services closer to home,” Ms Cusack said.

Early works on the new Acute Services Building are expected to commence in 2021 with main works construction scheduled to commence in 2022.