Federal Government provides cash for new Raymond Terrace playground

BY JARROD MELMETH

A new playground will be constructed at Raymond Terrace thanks to funding from the federal government.

$280,000 will be spent on the new playground and accessible public amenities at Bettles Park at the southern gateway to Raymond Terrace.

Port Stephens Council is undertaking the works which will also include new pathways, seating and shade.

Mayor Ryan Palmer says the playgrounds design has been decided by the community and extensive engagement based on the NSW Government's 'Everyone Can Play' guidelines.

“We heard our community wanted a playground to suit a range of ages and abilities. This will help improve accessibility and inclusivity for young families in Raymond Terrace and surrounding areas. 

“Bettles Park is a highly visible reserve at the southern gateway to Raymond Terrace. It was once a very popular highway stop before Raymond Terrace was bypassed and used to house the Sabre Jet, which is now on display nearby at Fighter World.

“I hope these improvements to Bettles Park with new play infrastructure and accessible public amenities will continue to support residents and visitors into the future," Cr Palmer said.

Pictured: Artist impression of the playground.
Image: Supplied.

New Guidelines to Help Treat Strokes in Children

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Paediatric neurologists from the John Hunter Children's Hospital have played a big part in putting together Australia's first ever clinical guidelines for children who suffer a stroke.

The guidelines aim to improve the diagnosis and acute management of children and babies who suffer a stroke - around 300 are diagnosed across Australia each year.

One of the paediatric neurologists taking part is Dr Christina Miteff who believes the guidelines will improve the overall treatment and importantly the recognition of strokes in children.

"Stroke affects up to eight per 100,000 children each year, which is a higher incidence for example than childhood brain tumours," said Dr Miteff.

The massive difference between when an adult has a stroke to when a child has a stroke has increased the need for the children/baby specific guidelines. In addition, more than 50 per cent of the young children who do suffer a stroke are healthy at the time.

Image hmri.org.au

"It's certainly true that children do not have the common risk factors that adults have, so in adults, there's often high blood pressure or smoking, lifestyle, things like that which contribute to risk for stroke, in children though these aren't true," said Dr Miteff.

"Some recommendations firstly in terms of when to think of a stroke and what investigations should occur and these investigations should occur very quickly because timely recognition is very important particularly now that potential treatments are available early on."

Recognition can mean the difference between life and death, with many children often not knowing until the day after that they have suffered a stroke. As a consequence of just a days delay in treatment, the window for life-changing interventions may be missed and an intervention minimises brain injury and improves patient recovery.

"It's a document that any emergency department or paediatrician, and also in smaller centres can access and it gives a very clear idea on what to do and hopefully we can collect data accurately because we now recognise strokes more consistently which will also allow for further research in that area in the future," said Dr Miteff.

Historical sexual abuse charges

BY JESSICA ROUSE

An 82-year-old Hamilton man has been arrested after investigations into alleged historical sexual assaults of three children between 1976 and 1992.

Following inquiries the man was taken to Newcastle Police Station yesterday and charged with several charges including seven counts of assault female and commit act of indecency aged under 16 years, attempt buggery, buggery, three counts of sexual assault - assault and commit act of indecency, and four counts of assault with act of indecency.

He has been given conditional bail and faces court in mid June.

Hunter children trialed for Cannabis-based drug

BY TYLER FARDELL

Trials for medicinal cannabis have started across the state and in the Hunter with 40 children living with severe epilepsy receiving doses of cannabis -derived medicine; Epidiolex.

The children selected for the trial suffer from treatment-resistant epilepsy and can experience up to hundreds of seizures a day.

It's part of a 21 million dollar government program to explore the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis.

The lead trial researcher Dr John Lawson, from the Sydney Children's Hospital says it's an important first step.

"The scheme will see some of the sickest children in NSW- who have not responded to available epilepsy drugs and treatments, gain access to a regulated pharmaceutical supply of the promising medicine".

12 Hunter children are currently undergoing the trial in John Hunter Hospital

Shining the spoitlight on early childhood years

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Children's early years could be the key to long lasting mental health and wellbeing according to the Hunter Institute of Mental Health's latest paper.

The paper titled The Importance of the Early Childhood Years written in collaboration with the Australian Psychological Society and Early Childhood Australia, discusses the mental health difficulties in children and the impact these difficulties can have on health, behavioural, educational and financial outcomes in their future.

HIMH Program Manager of Child, Youth and Wellbeing Gavin Hazel says the paper speaks on multiple levels.

"And it also speaks to the ways in which that information can then be applied to thinking about how the practice of people in early education and care settings, and school settings, can be used to help support students who have additional needs but also to promote generally mental health and wellbeing of all children."

The paper shines a spotlight on the importance of continued and expanded high quality early childhood services and schools.

It can be read and accessed by a range of people via the HIMH website and Hazel says there is a role for everyone to play in the wellbeing of all children at a young age.

"I think what the report's trying to suggest, or the paper is putting forward, is we should all ask ourselves what can we do to help children have a fulfilling and contributing life and in particular looking at the ways their mental health and wellbeing is part of that."

Lake Macquarie Council Promotes Awareness of Autism

Lake Macquarie families are encouraged to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during free workshops held at Charlestown Library in both February and June.

Dr. Sturgeon will be a guest speaker at the February workshop.

It's part of Lake Macquarie Council's 'You're Kidding Me' program, which aims to provide families with free access to health, education and family services.

As part of the program, the workshops looks to guide families on how to recognise ASD, as well as support strategies both during and after diagnosis, and how parents can use visual cues to assist children.

Council's Manager of Community Planning, John Ferguson says the workshops aim to improve families understanding, where they will also "explore what ASD looks like, how it is identified in children."

Each workshop will focus on different topics, with the February one featuring special guest Dr. Lee Sturgeon.

"[Dr. Sturgeon] will present a workshop aimed at supporting families through an ASD diagnosis" said Mr. Ferguson.

"Then, on Tuesday 28 June, families can join the team from Early Start Speech Pathology as they explain how the use of visuals can assist children with ASD."

Bookings for both workshops are essential, interested families can book online HERE.

Image courtesy of The Newcastle Herald (LINK).