16 News

The health system is showing signs of improvement as NSW public hospitals continue to face major pressures, according to the latest release of Bureau of Health Information (BHI) data.

Across the state, the number of surgical patients waiting longer than clinically recommended have decreased from 14,067 to 9142 between the end of March and the end of June.

Just days after being sworn in, Health Minister Ryan Park established the NSW Surgical Care Taskforce dedicated to improving the delivery of surgical services and reducing the state’s planned surgery wait list.

The taskforce has brought together some of the state’s leading clinical experts, working in both the public and private health sectors.

It continues to examine a range of best-practice models, including safely increasing day-only surgery, boosting virtual care and remote monitoring of patients, enhancing systems of referrals and assessment of patients by multidisciplinary teams, and maximising the efficiency of operating theatres for planned surgery.

The latest BHI data shows continuing high levels of demand for emergency care, including record NSW Ambulance activity.

Throughout the second quarter of 2023, there were 117,949 triage category 2 (emergency) presentations to NSW public hospitals, the highest number on record.

Despite the increase in more complex presentations, the majority of patients, 65.8%, started their treatment on time, an improvement on the same quarter last year.

Throughout the quarter, more than 7 in 10 patients (74.1%) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark time, also an improvement on the same quarter of last year.

The newly elected Minns Labor Government is undertaking a comprehensive suite of structural reforms to rebuild the state’s health system, including:

• Building an engaged, capable and supported workforce, beginning with implementing safe staffing levels, with a memorandum of understanding signed with nurses just last week.
• Improving health workforce conditions, including with the abolition of the wages cap and the rollout of study subsidies.
• Enhancing the accessibility and delivery of healthcare across rural and regional NSW, including with a boost to regional paramedics; doubling rural health incentives and expanding the single employer model.
• Safely delivering the essential health services our community deserves, including through a special commission of inquiry into health spending.
• Reducing surgery wait times with the establishment of a surgical care taskforce.
• Providing the health infrastructure and technology for communities across NSW, including by embracing urgent care and virtual care, relieving pressure on our hospitals.

The Minns Labor Government remains committed to improving the essential health services our community deserve and building an engaged, capable and supported workforce.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“We’ve inherited a health system facing great pressure and significant strain. I’ve always said there are no quick fixes and it will take time to address these challenges.

“I want to thank our health workforce and NSW Health for their tireless efforts and persistence, in delivering essential services across our community.

“We are determined to begin rebuilding our state’s health system with a comprehensive and ambitious agenda.

“I want to make sure all people in NSW receive the right level of healthcare, service and access and have confidence in their hospital and health system.”

Suicide prevention training will be provided for up to 700 rugby league clubs across the state as part of a plan to give people essential skills to have a conversation about suicide.

Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson said the suicide prevention skills training funded by the NSW Government will be delivered by LivingWorks in partnership with the NSW Rugby League to help keep more young people safe.

Ms Jackson made the announcement at the grand final games of the Sydney Shield (St Marys Saints vs Hills Bulls) and Ron Massey Cup (St Marys Saints vs Wentworthville Magpies) in Kogarah.

“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and ensuring as many people as possible have access to core skills which can help support someone during one of their most vulnerable moments is critical to saving lives,” Ms Jackson said.

“Suicide is a complex issue and ensuring people have the tools they need to tackle these complexities when it is needed most can change the course of someone’s life.

“This training, run by Australia’s leading suicide prevention skills training organisation LivingWorks, is open to entire club communities to wrap essential support around young people to keep them safe.”

Ms Jackson said the training is also being delivered to teachers and schools, parents and carers and NSW Police through the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Mental Health Recovery package.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper highlighted the importance of utilising existing community connections to deliver this important program.

“Sports bring communities together right across the state, so it presents the perfect opportunity for people to learn skills to prevent suicides.

“Sport is much more than what happens on the field. Sporting clubs are the backbone of communities across the state and have the direct line needed to deliver important mental health programs, at a grassroots level.”

LivingWorks Australia CEO Shayne Connell said the right course is available for everyone aged over 16 years, with 90 minute sessions available online or a half-day in person.

“Sporting communities are renowned for their camaraderie and collective spirit to support one another. What better community to receive this training and extra confidence boost to know how to have the all important conversation about suicide,” Mr Connell said.

“The training will help people recognise when someone is having thoughts of suicide, engage with that person, and connect them to further help, such as a club wellbeing leader or a community mental health provider.”

NSW Rugby League Mental Fitness and Wellbeing Manager, former NRL coach and premiership-winning player, Paul Langmack will oversee the training rollout to clubs and believes rugby league presents a unique opportunity to support this.

“Youth suicide is a big problem in society and LivingWorks offers a unique preventative program fully funded by NSW Health,” Mr Langmack said.

“We have an incredible opportunity to use rugby league as a vehicle to amplify the important work being done by LivingWorks and the NSW Government.

“We plan to take the program to rugby league clubs all over NSW, especially in regional areas which are more isolated and have to deal with this issue far too often.”

If you, or someone you know, is in a life-threatening situation please seek help immediately by calling Triple Zero (000). If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please call Lifeline 13 11 14launch or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467launch. The NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511launch is a 24/7 service that can advise you on appropriate local mental health services for you or a loved one.

The NSW Government is committing $115 million to properly resource the NSW Reconstruction Authority and better ensure NSW communities are prepared for natural disasters and can recover faster.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority was established with bipartisan support in November 2022 after Resilience NSW was dissolved.

It was established in line with recommendations from the independent 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry, led by Professor Mary O’Kane and Mick Fuller.

Despite the expanded responsibilities to include adaption, mitigation and preparedness for natural disasters, the former government left the NSW Reconstruction Authority as a shell – failing to fully fund and resource this vital agency.

This $115 million commitment will see the NSW Reconstruction Authority become the first entity of its kind in NSW with the resources needed to proactively reduce the impact of future disasters before they happen, as well as respond effectively after. 

The investment will take the NSW Reconstruction Authority budget to $321.3 million over 4 years.

It means the agency can also start on a State Disaster Mitigation Plan and Disaster Adaptation Plans.

Other projects include:

• supporting clean-ups and damage assessments
• organising safe temporary housing
• coordinating the repair and reestablishment of critical infrastructure such as schools and healthcare services
• supporting councils and state agencies in rebuilding essential assets and infrastructure such as roads and bridges
• public education and awareness campaigns
• distributing state and Commonwealth disaster recovery funding.

The authority currently facilitates more than $6.8 billion in state and Commonwealth grant programs offering support and practical help to those who need it most.

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe as we deal with the impacts of climate change.

Since 2019, NSW has seen more than 60 declared disasters, costing the state $5 billion, with 20,000 homes damaged in 2022 alone.

The financial costs of responding to natural disasters is only increasing. That is why we are properly funding and resourcing the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The NSW Government has made the careful and necessary decisions to address the holes left in the budget by the former government, including reprioritising funding to ensure the NSW Reconstruction Authority is properly resourced.

We are setting out a long-term plan to repair the budget in a sustainable way, to rebuild the essential services we all rely on – and funding disaster preparedness and recovery is an essential service.

Premier Chris Minns said:  

“We’ve all seen the devastating impacts of floods and fires across NSW, I am determined to take the action needed to save lives and ensure NSW has resilience in preparedness and response to natural disasters. 

“We know future natural disasters aren’t just a remote possibility – more are coming. It’s why we need to invest now to reduce the risk to communities, and then be ready and prepared to respond when disaster strikes.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“Being prepared doesn’t seem important or urgent until a disaster strikes, and then its value becomes very clear, very quickly. 

“This investment will allow the NSW Reconstruction Authority to be there for communities long before a disaster strikes and long after the disaster has passed.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We know we can’t stop natural disasters from occurring, but we can do more to prepare and prevent the worst of impacts.

“We’re lucky enough to have some of the country’s best and most experienced emergency service workers and this funding will make their jobs safer by reducing risks and better planning for the future.

“This is a smart, staged investment to make sure communities are better prepared for disasters, and so we can deliver cost-effective reconstruction programs and responsibly manage billions in state and Commonwealth disaster funding.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“Preparedness in all its forms at all levels of community and government is key and with the NSWRA we now have the opportunity do this. 

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority was needed to be the overarching agency that could take a whole-of- government planning approach to the preparation, response and recovery to disasters, so that recovery plans and packages are in place before the disaster and the work on local adaptation plans and state mitigation actions scales up.

“In the Northern Rivers there was a scramble to prepare the response and the recovery in the midst of the largest humanitarian and most costly natural disaster Australia has seen. The painful lessons learned are all being utilised in the consolidation of the NSWRA, as is the now 12-year successful experience of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

“Such groundwork ensures that agencies are ready to do the response and recovery work and that local communities who drive recovery can work in close collaboration with state and regional agencies.”

The importance of physical activity for culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) is the focus of this year’s Multicultural Health Week.

Launching Multicultural Health Week at Parliament House today, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the NSW Government was proud of its partnerships with communities to help people live healthier and more active lives, as he announced this year’s theme, Celebrate Culture Through Movement: Every Move Counts.

“Multicultural Health Week is a great opportunity to celebrate the immense contributions from our culturally and linguistically diverse communities while recognising ways we can all improve our health and wellbeing,” Mr Park said.

“We must also work to address health issues increasingly faced by multicultural communities, including the importance of being healthy and well, and prioritising physical activity to prevent illnesses.

“This week is an important reminder to everyone that physical activity with friends and family is not only a benefit to overall wellbeing, but also an opportunity to help celebrate and strengthen connection to culture.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM said as part of this year’s Multicultural Health Week, a range of in-language resources have been developed to encourage people to be physically active together with their family and friends.

“The NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, the NSW Ministry of Health and the Cancer Institute NSW have worked together to develop a host of great new resources to encourage more people to get physically active,” Ms Pearce said.

“Not only is it fun, but it can also help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.”

Evidence shows that people from CALD backgrounds typically have lower levels of physical activity or exercise than the general population. A range of factors influence participation rates including settlement issues.

The NSW Population Health Survey data from 2021 reports that rates of insufficient physical activity for adults are higher in those born in mainly non-English speaking countries (42%) than those born in Australia (36.3%).

Professor Tracey O’Brien, NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Cancer Institute NSW CEO, said physical inactivity is one of the top 4 causes of cancer.

“Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and wellbeing, and for preventing cancer,” Prof O’Brien said.

“We are proud to partner with the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service to help deliver this important message, to celebrate culture through movement, and to highlight that even small amounts of exercise can help to reduce risk of cancer.”

This year’s theme is further supported by the Multicultural Health Week 2023 Small Grants program.

Grants of up to $2000 each have been provided to 15 organisations for community engagement activities across NSW.

Director of the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, Lisa Woodland, said a range of multilingual resourceslaunch have been produced to encourage CALD communities to engage in physical activity as part of Multicultural Health Week 2023. 

“Our aim was to create resources that bring people from all communities together in a joyful, upbeat manner. We want to celebrate culture through movement, taking a family-centred approach that is inclusive of all generations,” Ms Woodland said.

The resources include:

• A 1-minute video to promote Multicultural Health Week 2023
• Multiple testimonial videos highlighting culture and movement
• Factsheet available in English and 19 other languages (Arabic, Bangla, Burmese, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Kurdish Kurmanji, Mandarin, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Ukrainian and Vietnamese)
• A Multicultural Health Week poster and social media assets in English and 19 other languages.

These multilingual resources are available to download for free by visiting the Multicultural Health Weeklaunch webpage, YouTube and social media platforms.

A new BreastScreen NSW campaign is urging women to book in for a lifesaving mammogram before it’s too late, with more than 50% of NSW women aged 50 to 74 behind on their breast cancer screening.

Voiced by Australian entertainers Kat Stewart and Amanda Keller, the new campaign warns women that while you’re living life, ‘Breast Cancer Doesn’t Wait’.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said while a record number of women have returned to the BreastScreen NSW service over the past few months, there are still more than 625,000 women who haven’t booked in for their breast screen.

“We know life gets busy and reminder letters to get a breast screen often get lost under a mountain of paperwork and endless to do lists,” Mr Park said.

“The message is simple, breast screening needs to be a priority – an appointment only takes 20 minutes every 2 years and could save your life.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, urged women to book in for their mammogram as soon as possible.

“Putting off something like a mammogram can seem all too easy, but you shouldn’t,” Ms Harrison said.

“It’s 20 minutes out of your day that could save your life.

“The message of this new campaign is clear – put yourself, and your health, first.”

NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Cancer Institute NSW CEO, Professor Tracey O’Brien, said the campaign aims to encourage women to put themselves first and was developed after research found many women were not having regular breast screens because they were too busy.

“For women aged 50 to 74, a breast screen every 2 years is still the best way to detect and treat breast cancer early – before it can be seen or felt,” Professor O’Brien said.

“Unfortunately, breast cancer is expected to take the lives of close to 1000 women in NSW this year and we need to do everything we can to detect and treat breast cancer as early as possible.

“As a working mum and professional, I know how hard it can be to block out time for yourself.

“A breast screen is quick and easy and if the cancer is detected early, it can significantly increase your chance of survival.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with 1 in 7 women set to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Age and being female are the biggest risk factors – not family history. 

BreastScreen NSW services are recommended for women aged 50 to 74 years, with no breast symptoms.

The service is available for women from 40 years. Any woman who has noticed a change in their breasts, like a lump, should see their doctor without delay.

Get more information and to make an appointment, call 13 20 50launch from anywhere in Australia or book online at BreastScreenlaunch.

If you need help from a translator to book a screening appointment, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50launch.

To watch the new campaign commercial and for more information, visit BreastScreenlaunch.