Hunter Dry Cleaners Urge Minister to Put Them on Essential Services List to Avoid Shut Down

BY SAM BARTLETT

Hunter Dry Cleaners are urging the Federal Health Minister to place their businesses on the essential services list and ensure they are not shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Islington based Pride Dry Cleaning and Laundry owner Jennie Lyons says the processes they use actually kill viruses and bacteria which cling to clothing.

"The dry cleaning process itself, it can actually kill viruses and bacteria as well so we're front line people," she says. 

Mrs Lyons says from a community perspective it is critical for dry cleaning to continue so they can serve residents and facilities that need it most, as hospitals are filled and resources become stretched thin, she says dry cleaners may be essential in cleaning and recycling sheets and other items.

"If disposable coverings become increasingly in short supply then the extra safeguard of proper cleaning of uniforms, sheets towels and similar items will be vital in the fight against COVID-19," she says. 

“Doctors, nurses and other hospital workers, ambulance officers, Police, medical centre staff, aged care facility staff, hotel staff, supermarket staff, bank staff and teachers can use our services to feel secure that they are going to work and coming home to their families with properly cleaned work clothing." 

Ms Lyons is also fighting to keep her business going to support the livelihoods of her and her staff.

“I want to keep as many of my staff working for as long as possible,” she said. 

Last year Mrs Lyons lost her husband to cancer and she is determined that this virus won't shut her business or leave her employees without a job.

"I won't let COVID-19 defeat me or my community."

The Dry Cleaning Institute is petitioning the Federal Health Minister to be placed on the list with many centers already implementing drop-off and pick-up services to reduce human contact.

Overseas, dry cleaners and laundries have been accepted as essential services which may also help in stopping infection.

                                Image: Google Images

It's decided, the new Maitland Hospital will be Public

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's decided.

The new Maitland Hospital will be run as a fully public hospital. The State Government was considering a public-private partnership or involvement from the not-for-profit sector, both ideas which have now been scrapped.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced the plans last night saying after much consideration and weighing up all of the concerns this was the best option.

"After much consideration, we have decided on a public health-led approach from the brand new Maitland Hospital at Metford,"

"I want to reassure the people of Maitland and surrounding areas that they are getting a world-class hospital, and the NSW Liberal Government is focused on making that happen as soon as possible," said Minister Hazzard.

It's been a roller coaster of a decision, in July last year it was announced that a public-private partnership had been scrapped, and the government were looking down a not-for-profit path instead.

The $450 million hospital's construction is already underway, with ground work and the turning of the sod happening before Christmas.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison is over the moon, saying she's happier than when she was when she won the election in 2015.

Artists Impression new Maitland Hospital.

EARLIER:

PPP scrapped for not-for-profit model for the new Maitland Hospital
Maitland Hospital To Be Debated in Parliament Today
Spat Overshadows Significant Step in Construction of new Maitland Hospital

Ministerial intervention on the cards for Hunter Rescue Helicopter

BY MATT JOHNSTON

The ongoing stoush between the Health Services Union and John Hunter Hospital over the operation of the Westpac rescue helicopter has led to calls for the New South Wales Health Minister to step in.

Union secretary Gerard Hayes thinks the best way to resolve the ongoing issue is for the Minister Hazzard to intervene on the contentious issue.

The HSU claims a unique arrangement with John Hunter Hospital and the rescue service is putting lives at risk, as the hospital insists on fitting out the chopper with its nurses rather than using paramedics that are already on hand.

Gerard Hayes says the turn-around to refit the helicopter and its crews under this model can take up to an hour and a half, which in emergency situations is simply too long.

"We're advocating that the Newcastle model would fall into line with all other models in the state where there's one crew that will address both issues [of primary rescue and secondary retrieval]."

The HSU claims enough reviews have been conducted to safely implement the single crew model, which is in use in every other jurisdiction in NSW.

They hope Minister Hazzard will be able to bring "resolution" to the "absurd" staffing situation.

Palliative care specialist for Hunter New England Health

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter New England Health District is one of nine rural and regional areas in New South Wales which will soon have new palliative care specialists.

Although the location of the new specialist is not yet determined Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health Leslie Williams says there is at least one specialist coming to the region.

"Those decisions about where they will specifically go is up to the local health district themselves. We will be able to make announcements once those positions are both advertised and then filled.

"This announcement is great news for rural and regional communities. Palliative care specialists obviously play a very key role when it comes to end of life care for patients and for families," Ms Williams said.

The increase in services was announced as part of the NSW Budget earlier this year, and now NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard says the government is delivering on its commitment.

"Providing first-class palliative care in every part of the state is a key priority for the Government and this investment will significantly strengthen the palliative care workforce, particularly in regional and rural areas," Mr Hazzard said.

A move for the proposed Lower Hunter Hospital

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

While in Newcastle yesterday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he's open to looking at a proposal to relocate the planned Lower Hunter Hospital.

The proposal would see the site moved from Metford to Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Council has called on the government to consider the shift to an area of green space within the former Hydro Aluminium site believing it would better serve the Hunter Valley.

Brad Hazzard is happy to consider the idea, and as Health Minister only wants to the best outcome for patients.

"Certainly the advice I've had from the ministry and from the local health district is that they have already bought a new site and they think that site is a very good site but I am looking at the arguments both ways and discussing and challenging if you like, the bureaucracy there is, but I have heard that decision and I am looking at it."

But public funding needs to be spent wisely, and the minister says where the taxpayer's dollar goes is very important.

"It is always a case of being open to local communities and as the Minister for Health, I am. But I have to be sensible and make sure that taxpayers funds are used well. What the department and the ministry are advising me is that they're very happy with the site but certainly if there are other issues I'll look at it."

Health Minister Brad Hazzard

Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Opens At The John Hunter Children's Hospital

BY IAN CROUCH

A new state of the art Paediatric Intensive Care unit has been officially opened this morning at the John Hunter Children's Hospital.

The $14-million unit features 8 dedicated beds to provide intensive care treatment to around 350 seriously ill babies from the Hunter to the Queensland border each year.

Each room also has space for parents to stay overnight with their sick children and there's also a separate family/parent room for quiet time.


The new facility means seriously ill babies no longer have to be transported to Sydney for ICU treatment.

The Hospital's Acting Director of Intensive Care, Dr Jorge Brieva says it means young children won't have to share I.C.U facilities with adults which can make the experience more traumatic for them.

"..and that created some stressful and intense situations for families - very difficult at the time when the kids are sick to have to deal with a unit that also looks after more than 1700 patients in the area. So, now we have a dedicated physical space which is more intimate and more private for them," he said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Dr Jorge Brieva

Front Desk Reception At The New Paediatric ICU