HealthThread Issue 5 Spring 2013

SPRING NEWSLETTER

NEW ENGLAND

FACEBOOK.COM/NEWENGLANDMEDICARELOCALTWITTER.COM/NEMEDICARELOCAL

OCTOBER 2013 | ISSUE 5 WWW.NEML.ORG.AU

AGQUIPHealth Pit Stop

Mental Health Team Wins Award

Aboriginal Health Healthy messages packing a punch Tamworth CPD

Feature EventAnticoagulants

NEMLTurns One

Practice Manager of the Year

Day Feature

7 8

10

5 13

CONTENTS

A word from the Chair & CEO of NEML...................................................................3

CPD Feature Event Anticoagulants.........................................................................5

Preventative Health: Shape up - Participant testimonial.........................................6

NEML Turns One.....................................................................................................7

AgQuip Health Pit Stop............................................................................................8

Practice Manager of the Year.................................................................................10

R U OK Day..............................................................................................................10

Coming Back to Moree...........................................................................................11

Clinical: Introducing our Primary Health Care Nurses........................................12

Aboriginal Health Snap Shot: Healthy Messages Packing a Punch......................13

Mental Health An innovative, local perinatal mental health partnership has been

awarded at Government House.............................................................................14

From the Dietitian’s Desk: Which Milk? by Dietitian Lauren Bale...........................15

New England Medicare Local | Page

Chair of NEML Board DR. DAvID BRIGGS

A word from the Chair

3

This message has been written immediately post the Federal Election where much was made of the role of Medicare Locals in primary health care in the Australian health system!

With the election of the coalition government we can anticipate a review of our activities and role. We should welcome this review as an opportunity to demonstrate our significant achievements, despite most of us only having just completed our second year as new organisations.

The importance of our role was demonstrated in the last financial year where, amongst a range of services, we provided 2460 mental health services across our region, a strong response to the mental health and wellbeing needs of our local citizens. More than 9000 allied health services were also delivered and we have some 4500 registered users of our aboriginal health services. Importantly, we have assisted in increasing our health workforce with the relocation of 11 general practitioners and 14 specialists to the Region within the last 12 months.

Our 130 staff and 70 contracted primary care professionals live and deliver services in towns and villages across our region. They are predominantly service providers working closely with general practitioners and the sustainability of those practices and services will ultimately depend on a strong PHC framework, however named or structured.

At our most recent Board meeting we endorsed our new stakeholder engagement policy. This policy emphasizes our important role in engaging with our stakeholders from local communities, our members and health and community organisations. It emphasizes that in everything we do we need to inform, consult and collaborate with those stakeholders. The Board is encouraging of our staff embracing and implementing this policy and to continue demonstrating leadership in this area consistent with the values framework that we had previously adopted.

Also at our last Board meeting we welcomed two new replacement Board members following a selection process that reviewed some 15 applications. The new Board members are Jackie Kruger and Lyn Rickard. Jackie Kruger is the Director of Planning and Community Services at Tamworth Regional Council. Jackie has extensive management and governance experience in health, community care and local government in New Zealand and now in Australia. Lyn Rickard is the Faculty Director New England TAFE for Human and Personal Health Services and as such is not only responsible for the education and training of significant health workforce personnel but also in her portfolio delivers relevant health education programs to socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in our communities. This expertise is directly relevant to the NEML role.

Welcome to these new Board members and I am sure they are looking forward to meeting you all as opportunities present. Please enjoy reading this issue of Threads which again demonstrates the diversity of our services and the skills and achievement of both our staff, contractors and members

Regards

Dr. David Briggs


Chief Executive Officer GRAEME KERSHAW

A word from the CEO

4

Since I last wrote for Health Thread a Federal election has been won and lost.

The incoming Prime Minister has remarked that his new Government will be careful and deliberate and will work through the issues it confronts in exactly that way. It is far too early to understand what this might mean for general practice and primary health care. For the Medicare Local network it probably means that there will be a review at the very least.

I say probably because there is already an evaluation of the Medicare Local program underway and the new government may choose to use this review if it suits their needs, or they may commission their own. Either way, at a recent meeting of NSW Medicare Local Chief Executives it was generally agreed a review of the effectiveness of the organisations was welcome news. “At least it gives us the opportunity to tell the whole story about what MLs do” seemed to be the consensus view.

Perhaps because many Medicare Locals are still nascent organisations, which in some instances has involved very complex mergers of existing organisations (the Divisions of General Practice), most are still finding their feet. It’s also easier for many to look at one small aspect of the organisation and say ‘that’s not as good as it used to be’ without considering the broader impact of what the Medicare Local is doing (and aiming to do in the future).

The New England Medicare Local (NEML) delivers services in over 30 communities across the New England North West. Last year NEML assisted in the recruitment of 11 GPs and 14 Medical Specialists to the region; it also provided 700 instances of one on one support to health practitioners. While others grappled with 78 page contracts to provide incentive payments to general practices to continue to be available for after hours care for their patients, NEML introduced a simple three-page contract that has gained wide acceptance.

If a visiting specialist provides a clinical consultation in the region, chances are that the New England Medicare Local, Hunter New England Health or local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service has organised it under a specialist outreach program. NEML alone coordinates 200 visiting clinics. In the near future the combined efforts of these organisations will be better coordinated now that all of the Australian Government funding for the program flows through the one statewide fundholder, the NSW Rural Doctors Network.

So, if a review is to be had, we say ‘bring it on’. There are plenty of good stories to be told about what NEML is doing and is aiming to do in this region. The instances above are just some of the examples, space prevents me from saying much more but you will be able to read about it in the coming pages and the coming editions.

New Government, new direction, (hopefully a new name!) whatever the future brings, this organisation is committed to better health for our communities and better support for our general practices and primary health care sector.

Just before I finish talking about good stories, here’s one about an award. NEML’s Early Years Outreach Clinic has just won an award in the Prevention of Mental Ill-health and Early Intervention category of the Mental Health Association NSW Annual Awards.

Congratulations to Anne Galloway and Fiona Little, all of our staff and our partners, St John of God Healthcare and Hunter New England Health, who contribute to this ground breaking clinical service that achieves great outcomes for mothers and their families where perinatal depression is a problem.

Graeme Kershaw

New England Medicare Local |

NEW developments in the medication options available for the management of stroke risk were the focus of a professional development session hosted by New England Medicare Local for about 51 health professionals in Tamworth on Wednesday July 30.

The education session included a panel discussion about the use and management of anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, and was sponsored by the National Prescribing Service and the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health.

The panel, facilitated by local GP Jenny May included Neurologist, Dr Lisa Dark; Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital’s Director of Retrieval Dr Chris Trethewy; Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital’s Director of Rehabilitation and Aged Care Services, Dr Peter Harradine; and National Prescribing Service Facilitator and the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health’s Senior Lecturer of Pharmacy, Janet Robilliard.

Discussion centred on a case study and the different factors that would influence the use of anticoagulants to treat the fictitious patient “76-year-old Jean” including assessment of her risk of stroke, risk of bleeding, and other factors such as diet and lifestyle.

CPD NEWS

Feature eventTamworth

ANTICOAGULANTS

While the topic was a serious one, throughout the course of the night the general practitioners, emergency physicians, primary care nurses, pharmacists and other primary health care professionals present ensured discussion was, focused, educational and fun.

The program was developed by a committee of local health professionals who, with New England Medicare Local, are committed to ensuring professional development opportunities are available locally at similar standard to educational events available in metropolitan areas.

The committee is now working to develop a special Paediatrics day in September. Panel facilitator for the evening, Dr Jenny May said, the wisdom and real world experience of our local experts is invaluable in assisting those of us working in pharmacies and general practices to do our jobs well.

“There are new developments in the medication options available for the management of stroke risk and its about picking the right patients for the right drug,” she said.

“I’m sure confidence and knowledge was increased through the session.

“We were made aware of not only new drugs but new tools and ways of measuring effect and likely risk.”

Dr May said the panel format allowed a variety of opinions and expertise to be canvassed, and for the audience to participate and ask questions about their own practice.

The next big event in the Southern Network is a Paediatrics Day this month.

More information about all New England Medicare Local facilitated or hosted Continued Professional Development Events visit www.neml.org.au


PREvENTATIvEHEALTH

The Shape Up program was run in July as a pilot to assess how useful Facebook is as a way of delivering health coaching.

The program was a success with the Shape Up page gaining a total of 391 fans. The largest demographic of those fans were women between the ages of 25 - 34 years.

The participants were divided into three groups with approximately 232 people actively participating in the health coaching throughout the 4 weeks.

70.5 per cent of surveyed participants said, they either met or partially met their goal. Although not all the participants were 100 per cent happy with the program, some excellent feedback was provided.

Most participants also reported an increase in confidence in their ability to eat healthily and exercise regularly.

65 percent strongly agreed they would participate again if Shape Up was offered.

One happy customer was Shape Up participant, Narrabri’s Joan Pyke.

Joan found out about the program from a friend and signed up with the goal to lose one to two kilograms in the month. She also wanted to be generally healthy and more active.

Joan who uses Facebook very casually to keep in touch with family, found the platform easy to use and liked its casual, unintimidating feel.

Joan believes the program put her head in the right place and helped her to not only achieve her goals, but sustain them, even after the program concluded.

Like our NEML facebook page facebook.com/NewEnglandMedicareLocal to find out when the Shape Up program is ready to run again.

SHAPE UP! not out...

Shape Up, put my head in the right place”

“


New England Medicare Local celebrated its “first” birthday in June.

To mark the special anniversary - 12 months since New England Medicare Local officially launched as a not-for-profit, public organisation - staff across our three service networks celebrated with small morning teas.

NEML CEO Graeme Kershaw released a snapshot of some of the programs, services, reforms and achievements in the region’s primary health care sector that New England Medicare Local has been a part of.

Mr Kershaw said the snapshot showed an organised systematic approach to primary health care at the local level was filling service gaps, particularly for the disadvantaged and those with chronic and complex care needs.

“At the same time, across our three networks, we are working with, and partnering with, other organisations and health care providers to improve a number of health outcomes,” he said.

“Medicare Local action over the past 12 months demonstrates how an investment in primary care at a community level produces significant health care gains, particularly for those people who have missed out in the past.”

• About 50 staff provide services to Aboriginal communities across the region. They work with GPs and other agencies including Aboriginal Medical Services, schools, universities and other non-government organisations.

• More than 2500 individual patients across 22 communities benefit from no-cost clinical health care through our mental health programs provided by 15 employed mental health practitioners and 19 private practitioners.

• 9000+ allied health services are provided to patients referred by their GP, at no cost. Access to this type of health care is expected to dramatically increase between now and the end of 2014 when we take on an additional $1.2 million in funding to enhance Rural Primary Health care Services including occupational therapy, dietetics, podiatry, speech pathology and exercise physiology in the region’s smaller communities.

• New England Medicare Local staff work alongside other organisations to bring additional medical practitioners, nurses and allied health practitioners to the region. Over the past 12

New England Medicare Local turns one!

months this includes: the recruitment of a Paediatrician, Urologist and Anesthetist; all of the specialist and technical positions at the North West Cancer Centre and GPs in Narrabri, Guyra, Quirindi and Inverell. In the coming few months the list grow to include a new GP in Glen Innes, with another expected to arrive before the end of the year; and two new GPs in Armidale.

• eHealth – New England Medicare Local Information Technology and Provider Support staff assist in GPs, Medical Specialists and Allied Health Practitioners with eHealth needs including secure messaging of health information, telehealth services through video-conferencing and adoption of the national electronic health record. More than 230 health practitioners have secure messaging capabilities and over 50 per cent of GPs have used telehealth to connect with specialists outside the NEML region. As an example one GP and their patient in Inverell, conduct telehealth consultations with a Newcastle-based specialist saving a trip of more than 868 kilometres and an over night stay.

• Visiting Specialist Services – New England Medicare Local manages the logistics of more than 200 visiting specialist clinics by 11 different health disciplines within the region, from consultant neurosurgery in Tamworth to Podiatry in Guyra; from Endocrinology in Armidale to a Diabetes educator in Moree.

• Apart from these key New England Medicare Local programs, we provide incentive payments to GPs to provide after hours care to their patients; fund allied health services into nursing homes; support General Practice Nurses with education and information; connects care for people with chronic and complex conditions.


You might think a health check tent would be out of place at Australia’s largest agricultural field days, AgQuip, but as a regional leader in preventative health, the team from New England Medicare Local disagree.

We take preventative health care very seriously, and that’s why in August our staff swapped their clinical rooms for an AgQuip tent. The aim of the three days on the ground at AgQuip was to target those who lead busy lives, or have a complete lack of motivation to visit their GP, which prevents them from seeking routine preventative care.

At AgQuip the NEML team assisted by two of the region’s GPs and dietetics and medical students from the University of Newcastle, tackled three of the biggest excuses people have for not getting an annual check up – time, money and location. Over the three-day event our dedicated team provided a quick, free health pit-stop among the rows and rows of all things rural.

The purpose of our health check tent was to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and to encourage early detection and treatment among a target audience that may not usually receive or avoid regular health check ups with their local GP.

New England Medicare Local event coordinator Virginia MacCarthy had the job of encouraging field day enthusiasts through the tent doors and said while many people are proud of being able to claim they ‘never go to the doctor’, this may not always be a good thing.

“It may mean they have no illness needing medical attention, but it might also mean they are missing out on some important preventive health checks, which can keep them well and out of hospital in the future,” Virginia said.

“Our cars get routine check-ups, but for our bodies, the most precious thing we have, we wait for

symptoms, and unfortunately, most diseases are far advanced by the time symptoms start to show.”

Over the course of three huge days our team saw a total of 337 people. 217 were men, and 120 were women.

Dr Nadine Goodman-Nadall from Mungindi and Dr Jo Chaffey from Tamworth tirelessly conducted skin checks. Nurses from our Clinical Services and Aboriginal Health teams conducted blood pressure and blood glucose tests.

Diabetes education was provided along with dietetic advice and measuring BMIs. The fifth year medical students and final year dietetic students were a great help and the extra hands meant that staff could have a break and enjoy a steak sandwich.

NEMLs two employed psychologists from Gunnedah were on hand for support and various other staff were on hand to help, chatting about eHealth and other NEML programs and provide visitors take home information that might assist them to keep well and out of hospital.

AGQUIPHealth Pit-Stop

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Nundle’s Theresa Diamond first visited the NEML tent in 2012. Concerned she hadn’t had a check up in a while. During her skin check, two spots were brought to her attention.

“One was on my back and the other on my face,” she said.

Within two weeks the spots were identified as melanomas by a specialist and were removed.

Therese came back to the Ag Quip Health Checks this year with a clean bill of health.

“I am really happy,” she said.

“I know I was lucky and if I hadn’t have stopped to have the check things could have been very different.”

Tom Feerby is another one NEMLs repeat health check offenders.

2013 was his third visit to the tent.

“Each year I come and have everything checked and try to improve on my health results from the previous year,” he said.

“I set a little annual challenge.”

Our cars get routine check-ups, but for our bodies, the most precious thing we have, we wait for symptoms

“”


Peel Health Care’s Lyn Stewart was recently named the NSW Practice Manager of the Year.

Mrs Stewart was announced the winner of the annual award at the Australian Association of Practice Managers dinner in Sydney in June and this month now contest the title of national Australian Practice Manager of the Year.

Mrs Stewart was nominated for the award by Peel Health Care General Practitioner Dr Jenny May.

Dr May said Mrs Stewart had been the Practice Manager at Peel Health Care since it’s inception in August 2005. “Lyn has seen, and been an integral part of, the growth of Peel Health Care from a small practice in West Tamworth to the busy, and soon to expand again, practice it is,” Dr May said.

Mrs Stewart is the second Practice Manager from a Tamworth Practice to receive the award. Jo-anne Bacon, the Practice Manager at Smith Street Practice was named the NSW Practice Manager of the Year in 2011.

Mrs Stewart said she was “honoured”, if not a little shocked to have been named the winner of the award.

“I knew I had been nominated and that I was one of the four finalists but I honestly thought that would be as far as it went,” she said.

Mrs Stewart said she found there were endless rewards in her role. “I love the variety I get in each day,” she said.

“But, by far the most satisfying thing is that in my role I am able to help everyone else, from the practice nurses to the GPs and administration staff, to do their job efficiently.”

Lyn Stewart

It’s a question most of us ask one another often but on Thursday September 12 the annual R U OK Day encouraged more of us to pay attention to the answers we get.

The R U OK? Foundation is as a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to encouraging conversations to prevent suicide..

The foundation was established in 2009 by Gavin Larkin, who wanted to create a world without suicide after experiencing the suicide death of his father, Barry Larkin.

The event was marked at the NEML Southern Network office in Tamworth with a GP information and registration event for New England Medicare Local’s Life ATAPS suicide prevention program called, Priority Support which is delivered through Life Solutions North West. The ATAPS program provides treatment and support to people at mild to moderate risk of suicide or self-harm.

Southern Network clinical psychologist Katie Peterson said R U OK? day aimed to encourage all people to regularly and meaningfully ask ‘are you ok?’ to support those struggling with life and protect them from suicide. The GP event was promoted in partnership with the Tamworth Mental Health Interagency.

In addition to the event for GPs the Southern Office’s “Coffee Man”, Steve, who provides coffee every morning from his van, volunteered to promote the day with R U OK? Day coffee cups and information for his customers.

“Southern Network NEML Staff also got involved , wearing R U OK? Pins and decorating the office,” Katie said.

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MOREE local and New England Medicare Local dietitian Renaye Gadsby says she combined her love of health with her scholarly strengths at school – English and Chemistry – when she chose dietetics as a career.

Renaye moved to Moree at the age of three, was schooled in the township and says she knew when she went to university in Brisbane she would always “go back home”.“I wasn’t sure if being from Moree and returning here as a dietitian would be an advantage or a disadvantage,” Renaye said who graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2010. “Throughout my five years at university I always said I was going to go back to Moree and give back to the community that gave me a great childhood – working for New England Medicare Local, and the Barwon Division of General Practice before it, gave me that opportunity.”Renaye said in the time since she has been pleasantly surprised that her clients feel they can relate to her more because she understands Moree as a community.The balance between being able to work doing health promotion activities including group presentations and education, as well as working in community dietetics is something Renaye said she continues to enjoy in her role. “My group presentations and health promotional programs are probably the stand out,” she said.“ I love looking around a room and watching everyone have ‘light bulb moments’ – putting the correct nutrition advice out and dispelling myths is great!“And being able to reach 10-20 people at once is pretty amazing.” Renaye said dietetics wasn’t just about weight loss.“Dietitians have a large client base. We help people with everything from allergies to diabetes, hypertension to diverticular disease, people with eating disorders and kidney failure,” she said. “Everything we teach is evidence based and you have to study a long time to be a dietitian, and there is a difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist –dietitian’s are

clinically recognised and you have to do more study.” A self confessed lover of “baking”, Renaye said “dietitians are normal people who love food and usually don’t care what we are eating during social outings”. Renaye said among the biggest challenges in her role were breaking cycles. “ Fad diets, dispelling myths - ‘someone told me that cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels’ - and trying to explain evidence based practices to people could often be difficult when advertising, celebrities, family members and everyone else were quick to provide advice,” she said. People who fail to attend are also a hurdle.“They can be a big challenge for any health professional,” she said.“People have to want to change their habits and be motivated to be healthy. Often a major challenge can be knowing when someone is not ready.” While there are no “normal days” for Renaye she said her “start the day” routine was consistent.“Everyday starts with coffee and a chat to colleagues,” she said. “Some days I travel to Warialda, Bingara or Barraba for clinics. If that is the case I leave early in the morning, set up my scales and computer, have a chat to the medical reception staff and maybe a doctor if they are around I see between five and eight clients and then head home again.”Other days Renaye will see clients in Moree and then go and do a presentation to a group.“At least one day a week is devoted to paperwork which includes writing letters to doctors and booking in clients,” she said. “I do a lot of travelling but I enjoy that everyday is so different.”

Renaye Gadsby talks living in Moree, leaving, coming back & loving it.

For more information about New England Medicare Local’s dietitians visit our website www.neml.org.au


Carolyn Foley has previously worked in Queensland and more recently Gunnedah as a community health and general practice nurse. She specialises in midwifery and child health and will work in the small communities surrounding Gunnedah.

Merryl Chaffey has extensive nursing experience and comes from an acute care background. She has also specialised in education and training of nurses and has experience in aged care, home and community care. Merryl will work in the small towns and communities surrounding Tamworth.

Emma Graham will service the small towns and communities surrounding Narrabri and Moree and brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge as a nurse with experience in midwifery and acute care.

Peta Waters is a Registered Nurse and Diabetes Educator. Until taking on her new role, Peta worked as a registered nurse for NEML in the chronic disease programs as part of our Aboriginal Health team. Peta will work in the communities, villages and small towns in NEML’s northern network.

For more information about NEMLs Primary Health Care Nurses please contact the NEML Tamworth office on 02 6766 1394.

From July 1, New England Medicare Local was allocated increased funding under the Regionally Tailored Primary Care Initiatives to roll out primary health care services across the region. Previously this funding had been provided to Hunter New England Local Health District.

Part of this initiative includes Allied Health services including Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology and Dietetics. The service will allow GP’s to refer their clients to any of the allied health programs.

New England Medicare Local has employed four Primary Health Care Nurses who will deliver primary health care services in more than 40 small communities including: Deep Water, Kingstown, Nowendoc, Duri, Burren Junction and Curlewis.

COMINGto a

sMall tOwN near you

ABORIGINALHEALTH Snap Shot

Some members of the New England Medicare Local Aboriginal Health team have been working hard in recent weeks to put together some new preventative health messages.

The messages are designed to encourage health decision, healthy living and provide a little bit of inspiration.

One of the ads stars some budding, young actors from Moree encouraging their friends to make the right choices when offered alcohol and other drugs. The other ad stars a face that’s rather infamous

What is your favourite food? - “I don’t have one but I like sushi and Thai food”

Favourite TV show? – “ Big Brother”

Why is staying healthy important to you? “Being a boxer, I have an extensive training schedule and I need to stay fit and healthy to ensure I can pack a punch with my fights! I think of my body as a car, I need to keep it supplied with the right kind of fuel (food) so I can give my best performance. That’s why I eat healthy and train hard.”

Do you have a message for young people?“ You to can achieve your dreams, if you make the right choices in life and work hard for it!”

around the Moree area – Australian Olympic boxer, Cameron Hammond.

Cameron happily came on board to be a part of the campaign, taking time out of his rigorous training schedule to throw some lines at the camera for us that would encourage the region’s youth to make good choices in life.

In a few seconds between takes we managed to have a quick chat with Cameron to find out a little more about what makes him tick.

“10 Seconds with Cameron Hammond”Break out box

Behind the scenes with Olympic boxer Cameron Hammond and New England Medicare Local’s Aboriginal Health Team

Healthy messages packing a “punch”

If you were stuck on a deserted island and you could only take one thing, what would it be? - “An all in one Xbox, TV and generator!”


EvENTSMENTALHEALTH

An innovative, local perinatal mental health partnership has been awarded at Government House

New England Medicare Local’s Early Year’s Outreach Clinic, in partnership with the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health and St John of God Health Care’s Raphael Centre in Blacktown, have been presented a Mental Health Matters Award.

The award recognised “excellence and innovation in programs, that focus on preventing mental health problems through encouraging people to seek help early”.

The clinic has been a work in progress for the past two years and was designed to put in place early intervention programs for rural families allowing greater access to services that were previously only available in Sydney or Brisbane.

New England Medicare Local’s clinical team, located in Tamworth, is inter-professional in nature with clinicians from backgrounds of mental health nursing, social work, psychology and occupational therapy. They work to provide the clinic together with a bi-monthly specialist clinic supported by Professor Barnett, a Child and Infant Psychiatrist from St John of God, Sydney. The working relationship between the SJOG specialist perinatal team and clinician’s at NEML has developed mutually to promote the

development of clinical skills and service promotion and planning.

In addition a key focus has been to provide support to other health professionals referring to the EYOC including midwives, child and family nurses and General Practitioners. This includes frequent supervision and training sessions which includes the use of telemedicine to link into SJOG.

The response to the service so far has been positive and effective linkages between service providers across the area have resulted in more timely and appropriate referrals. Referrals have included indigenous families with a small percentage of fathers having also accessed the service.

The University of Newcastle Department Of Rural Health’s Mental Health Academic team leader, Fiona Little, said outcomes from the last 18 month evaluation of the EYOC showed more than 150 families had been referred to the service. This makes up 13 per cent of mental health referrals seen within the Tamworth New England Medicare Local Mental Health Service.


EvENTS

FROM THE DIETITIANS

DESK

For healthy tips, hints & ideas from our NEML Dietitians & much more.www.facebook.com/newenglandmedicarelocalwww.twitter.com/NEMedicarelocal

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To please the whole family Reduced fat milk. This is an all round crowd pleaser, with half the fat of regular milk, but a taste and appearance similar to full fat milk. Can’t hack the lighter taste? Choose a ‘Smart White’, with only 2% fat but all the taste of full cream milk.

To help reduce cholesterolSkim milk (budget friendly), Omega 3 fortified milk or Heart Active milk. When aiming to control our cholesterol we really need to focus on reducing the amount of saturated fats we consume – skim milk has none. Omega 3 fortified milks provide unsaturated fats that can help reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol There are also ‘Heart Active’ milks available (for a higher price) with added plant sterols for cholesterol reduction. You will need to have two to three 250mL serves each day to see the benefits of these products.

To help shift some weightSkim milk (or reduced fat milk). In order to lose weight we need to consume less energy than we use. The milks that have the fewest kilojoules are those that are low in fat – the lower the fat the better – whether cows’ milk, soy milk or any other variety. Also, the less fat means more protein – which can keep us feeling fuller for longer (and hopefully snacking less!). Choose skim or low fat milk in conjunction with a healthy eating plan and regular exercise to lose weight.

WHICH MILK?

For women’s healthVitamin D fortified milk. Bone health is a big issue for women, particularly as we get older. All cows’ milk is high in calcium, but choosing a milk with added vitamin D helps build maintain bone mass. Make sure you are reaching the Australian target of two and a half serves of reduced fat dairy daily (or four serves for women over 50 years) for good bone health.

For those who don’t get on with cows’ milkSoy, almonds and rice are not naturally high in calcium, so it is important to check that the milk you choose has at least 100mg calcium per 100mL milk. For almond and rice milks, also check that the one you choose is protein fortified. The idea of individuals reacting to cows’ milk protein is increasing in popularity, however, there is not yet strong evidence for using A2 milk protein as an alternative. A dietitian can help you in you feel you have an allergy

For sports recoverySkim milk. Forget the sports drinks and protein powders – a large glass of skim milk after a training session can provide the protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, water and electrolytes necessary to repair, refuel and rehydrate.

We know we need milk for strong bones and teeth – but what about those ‘extras’? What used to be a simple purchase has transformed into a clutter of options including full fat, no fat, permeate free, A2 milk, added vitamins, plant sterols or omega three fats.

Clients frequently ask me which is the best milk to buy – but unfortunately there’s no single ‘best’ product out there to suit everyone. Many types of milk are created to suit people at different stages of life or with specific medical conditions. But this is good news – because with a little extra thought, you can choose an option that will benefit you and your family depending on your health goals, budget and taste preference. Check out the options below

We’ve all been there. Walked into the supermarket to quickly grab a few basics and ended up staring aimlessly at the ‘white wall’: shelves and shelves of milk.

By Dietitian Lauren Bale

NEW ENGLAND

NEW ENGLAND

www.neml.org.au

Time to get your walking shoes on...

It’s ComingStart your engines People.

TamworthSuite 3, 180 Peel St

PO Box 1916Tamworth 2340

t: 02 6766 1394f: 02 6766 1372

Inverell7 Glen Innes Rd

Inverell 2360

t: 02 6721 4117f: 02 6721 4118

MoreeShop 5, 96 Balo St

PO Box 804Moree 2400

t: 02 6752 7196f: 02 6752 7397

Gunnedah99a Barber StPO Box 687

Gunnedah 2380

t: 02 6742 3633f: 02 6742 3699

Armidale213 Rusden StPO Box 1321Armidale 2350

t: 02 6771 1146f: 02 6771 1170

Glen Innes188 Bourke StPO Box 750

Glen Innes 2370

t: 02 6732 4189f: 02 6732 4181

Tenterfield119 Douglas St

PO Box 630Tenterfield 2372

t: 02 6736 5352f: 02 6736 5353

Narrabri93-95 Barwan St

PO Box 430Narrabri 2390

t: 02 6792 5514f: 02 6792 5518

Office Locations

HealthThread Issue 5 Spring 2013

Documents

Transcript of HealthThread Issue 5 Spring 2013