Patients will benefit from a statewide rollout of world-class technology and equipment in NSW ambulances worth more than $55 million which will help paramedics and specialist clinicians provide even faster, better cardiac care.
The package will equip ambulances with an additional 550 mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Lucas devices, 1,400 state-of-the-art ECG/defibrillation devices, and a new cardiac notification platform that will improve communication between NSW Ambulance and emergency departments.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said this nation-leading investment will help save lives and provide better care for people right across the State.
“We are strengthening frontline services, delivering better services for people across the State,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is part of our record investment in our health system to ensure no matter where you live you have access to the best healthcare possible to provide people with world-class healthcare and save lives.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the rollout would give frontline healthcare staff the best tools and most up-to-date technology available to help them carry out their vital role of saving lives.
“NSW Ambulance will be the first ambulance service in Australia to have mechanical CPR Lucas devices in every frontline ambulance, ensuring patients can receive life-saving chest compressions throughout their journey to hospital,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Every second counts during a cardiac arrest. These devices give patients the best possible chance of staying alive, by supporting our highly trained paramedics to provide the best life-saving care from the minute they arrive at the patient’s side through to when they reach the hospital.”
Every year about 20,000 Australians, including 8,000 people in NSW, suffer cardiac arrest out of hospital – making it the most common cause of death among adults. Just one in 10 will survive.
NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan said NSW Ambulance had worked with practising clinicians to develop the cardiac care package to ensure it provided the most effective tools for responding to patients suffering cardiac arrest.
“The Lucas CPR devices are a game changer as effective chest compressions are very hard to maintain for long periods, or when a patient is being moved down a flight of stairs to the ambulance, for example. These devices will provide ongoing compressions in these challenging situations,” Dr Morgan said.
“Patients will also benefit from the new Corpuls 3T 12-lead ECG/defibrillators which weigh considerably less than previous defibrillators, making them safer and easier for paramedics to use. These defibrillators perform non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, capnography, pulse oximetry, temperature recording and pacing.”
Mr Morgan said the new cardiac notification platform would help streamline the transfer of patients from ambulance into hospital by improving communication between emergency departments and clinicians.
“The cardiac notification platform assists with the transfer of clinical observation data from ambulances and regional hospitals to tertiary hospitals so we can provide more rapid and effective treatment to patients with suspected heart attacks.”
In addition to the more than $55 million cardiac care package for NSW Ambulance, the NSW Government has invested $150 million over 10 years (2018-2028) in cardiovascular research in NSW.
Month: August 2022
$300 million to help unlock new homes across the state
The NSW Government has today revealed the details of a $300 million plan to fast-track the delivery of essential infrastructure and unlock tens of thousands of homes across the state.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced 41 councils experiencing high growth will be able to apply for a share of the latest round of the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
“The NSW Government’s successful AIF program is being extended for a third round, to help councils roll out critical infrastructure projects that support the delivery of much needed new homes,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It’s about getting keys in doors and giving people the opportunity to own their own home. To be able to unlock land and increase supply, our State needs the vital infrastructure in place to allow community growth – this includes roads, sewerage systems, stormwater drains and parks.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said 23 of the 41 eligible councils were in the regions, demonstrating the NSW Government’s commitment to helping eliminate housing pressures right across the state.
“When you build a house, you’ve got to lay the foundations first. This funding lays the foundations to unlock more land and build thousands of homes in the communities where they’re needed the most,” Mr Toole said.
“It builds on the investment we’re making right across regional NSW to help fast-track construction of new homes and ease housing pressures as communities grow.”
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said AIF round three will help support both immediate and anticipated population growth.
“This is a great program that has delivered excellent results to date, so I’m thrilled to see this package being extended,” Mr Kean said.
“Since 2020, the AIF program has supported 38 local infrastructure projects across eight Sydney councils, supporting more than 100,000 new homes and creating around 3,220 jobs.”
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the investment is part of a suite of end-to-end measures aimed at putting downward pressure on house prices and making home ownership a reality for more people in NSW.
“This is a great example of State and Local Government working together to accelerate projects that stimulate the economy, fast-track new properties, and create jobs,” Mr Roberts said.
“Our $2.8 billion housing package announced in this year’s State Budget will help us pave the way for hundreds of thousands of new homes over the next four years.”
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said councils were the engine room of these growing communities, and are best placed to work with the State Government in making them sustainable and affordable.
“Councils have the grassroots community knowledge needed to ensure our future homes, facilities and parks flourish. Partnering with councils for the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund is going to achieve targeted, local outcomes as a result.”
Twenty-three regional councils will be able to apply for a share of $120 million, and $180 million is available for 18 eligible metropolitan councils in Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong.
To learn more about AIF visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Accelerated-Infrastructure-Fund
Maintenance blitz ready for NSW public schools
Schools across NSW will be enjoying hundreds of thousands of maintenance projects thanks to an additional $1.2 billion being invested by the NSW Government through the 2022/23 NSW Budget.
This program will priorities painting, fencing and gate repairs, floor renewal and window and door repairs as part of a $2.2 billion investment over the next four years.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said all public schools across NSW will benefit.
“I want every student, no matter where they live, to have safe and comfortable learning environments and I know this funding helps keep our schools at a world class level,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The Liberals and Nationals Government is committed to providing students with high quality learning facilities. We are delivering a record number of new and upgraded schools while maintaining our existing 2,200 schools across the state.
“These planned maintenance projects can be minor in nature but feedback from schools continues to highlight the difference a coat of paint or laying new carpet can have on student learning environments.”
As part of this investment, 50 additional Asset Service Officers will be recruited to help keep school grounds safe and well maintained – tasks which currently take up a great deal of principals’ time.
“I want our principals to be able to focus on their core roles. This investment will support efforts to remove administrative tasks from their workload.”
Planned maintenance is an annual program developed for every school in NSW. The program also uses the Local Trade Scheme, offering local tradies the opportunity to take on jobs valued up to $50,000.
The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.
Cairns medical receptionist sentenced to jail for $178k Medicare fraud
A Cairns woman has been convicted and sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment by the Cairns District Court on Wednesday, 17 August 2022, after pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming more than $178,000 in Medicare payments under the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS).
Working as a medical receptionist, the woman was charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception for electronically submitting 355 false Medicare claims using the details of five medical practitioners.
The woman entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment.
However, the prison sentence was suspended, and she was placed on a good behaviour bond of two years. The woman is also subjected to two years’ probation and ordered to repay the full amount of $178,548.70.
The Department of Health and Aged Care takes allegations of fraud against Medicare very seriously.
The department has a strong health provider compliance program that protects Australia’s health payments system through the prevention, identification and treatment of incorrect claiming and fraud by health providers.
Anyone with information about suspected non-compliance or fraud of Government health payments by health providers can make a report via the “Reporting Fraud” page on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website at www.health.gov.au/fraud-tip-offs or by calling the Provider Benefits Integrity Hotline on 1800 314 808.
Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Sri Lanka
Australia will provide an additional $25 million to help Sri Lanka meet urgent food and healthcare needs, as it confronts its worst economic crisis in 70 years.
During this challenging period, Australia stands with the people of Sri Lanka, especially those experiencing severe hardship.
This additional support brings Australia’s Official Development Assistance response to $75 million.
Our support will be delivered through UN agencies to provide food, health and nutrition services, access to safe water and essential support for those at risk, including women and children.
Australia’s continued assistance to Sri Lanka supports our mutual interest in a secure and resilient Indian Ocean and reinforces our 75 year-strong relationship built on cooperation and community connection.
The extra humanitarian assistance is in addition to the $23 million in ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022-23.
Battery cage phase-out long overdue and far too slow
Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that today’s announced Australian poultry standards, which will phase-out battery cages, are long overdue but provide a far too lengthy transition period out to 2036.
Senator Faruqi said:
“The industry has had more than enough time to move away from battery cages. We now need some real action.
“After years of dragging their feet, the industry does not need up to 14 years to transition away from battery cages.
“People absolutely do not want hens being kept in battery cages under such cruel and inhumane conditions for another decade or more.
“The use of battery cages is terrible animal cruelty — there’s really no other way to put it.
“Thousands of people made submissions to the poultry standards review and almost all of them supported a phase-out of battery cages.
“Australia is well behind other countries on the international stage and frankly it’s a travesty.”
Reimagined Wallsend Library reopens for the community
Popular television presenter Costa Georgiadis and MasterChef favourite Mindy Woods will join a special program of free events to mark the reopening of Wallsend Library following an extensive upgrade.
Celebrations kick off tomorrow with a family fun day, followed by a six-week program of special events designed to showcase the multi-use spaces provided by the new and improved library facilities and technology.
New mobile shelving, lightweight furniture and innovative book displays will provide broader use of Wallsend Library with flexible spaces allowing more events and programs that celebrate creativity, collaboration, culture, inclusion and diversity.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrade of Wallsend Library forms part of City of Newcastle’s ongoing investment into its library network to enhance the overall customer experience and meet the changing needs of its members.
“It’s fantastic to be unveiling the reimagined Wallsend Library to the community this weekend as part of City of Newcastle’s continued investment into enhancing our much-loved library network infrastructure,” Cr Nelmes said.
“With more than 100,000 library members across Newcastle, we know our community values our local library amenities, which is why we have allocated around $7 million over five years of capital works programs, including almost $1 million in the 2022/23 Budget.
“Wallsend Library has undergone a major refresh delivering new ways of accessing library services, improved access to technology and the creation of more inclusive spaces for the community’s enjoyment.
“Newcastle Library members and the community are invited to come and experience the reimagined Wallsend Library with a special program of events lined up during the next six weeks.”
Families are welcome to attend the Wallsend Family Fun Day at the library this Saturday from 10am to 2pm or sing along with popular children’s entertainers The Quokkas Live at The Library on Sunday 28 August.
Join popular television presenter Costa Georgiadis’ talk on seeds, soil and gardening for the soul on Sunday 18 September and don’t miss MasterChef favourite and proud Bundjalung woman Mindy Woods’ Aussie Tukka afternoon tea on Sunday 21 August as she shares her passion for food, country and culture.
Visit Newcastle Libraries What’s ON Events Calendar for further information on Wallsend Library’s reopening celebrations.
Addressing the teacher shortage long-term requires current focus
It’s not enough to simply reduce poor working conditions. We must create supportive working environments where teachers can thrive.
The teacher shortage in Australia is at a crisis point. More teachers are leaving or considering leaving the profession than ever before as burnout hits an all-time high. On the other end of the spectrum, enrolments in teaching degrees are declining as more become wary of the pressures of the career path.
Scientia Associate Professor Rebecca Collie, School of Education, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, is an educational psychology researcher investigating teacher motivation and wellbeing. She says teaching has become more complex in the past decade. Teachers now face greater demands, but this has not been accompanied by the provision of more time and support to manage those demands.
“Teaching has intensified greatly as teachers are asked to take on more and more,” A/Prof. Collie says. “There’s just not enough time in the day for teachers to do everything they need to, and this means that many feel overworked and underappreciated.”
A National Teacher Workforce Action Plan has been proposed by education ministers to address the teacher shortage with a big focus on recruiting new teachers. Performance-pay incentives and making teaching degrees cheaper are among some strategies that have been floated. However, A/Prof. Collie says for a plan to be effective, it must first address the working conditions for current teachers.
“This is important for retaining teachers, but also because any attempts to attract new teachers to the profession will be stymied by a ‘revolving door’ of teacher turnover if current conditions aren’t improved,” A/Prof. Collie says.
Addressing poor teaching conditions
Many teachers in Australia report experiencing poor working conditions, including high workloads. It’s not uncommon for teachers to work late into the night and on weekends, causing significant stress and leading to attrition.
“What teachers are being asked to do is a lot different now than it was a decade ago. It includes a lot more administrative and compliance work,” A/Prof. Collie says. “What hasn’t kept pace is the time teachers are afforded. It just adds other tasks to everything they’re already doing and takes away from the time to effectively prepare, plan and collaborate in relation to the core business of teaching.”
A/Prof. Collie says teachers can also struggle to deal with disruptive student behaviour and regularly changing or unrealistic expectations from government and professional bodies, parents and school leadership.
“Disruptive students can be very stressful for teachers, particularly early career teachers who may be still developing the skillsets to deal with different student needs,” A/Prof. Collie says. “When you factor in the changing demands placed on them from the top down and the bottom up, it is understandable that many teachers feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
The result is a poorer learning experience for students and growing dissatisfaction for teachers, A/Prof. Collie says.
“Our research shows it’s central that teachers have the time to build quality interpersonal relationships with students to engage them in their learning. These relationships are a big reason why teachers enter the profession and why they stay, but teachers just don’t have as much time to develop them as they had in the past,” A/Prof. Collie says.
Fostering a supportive teaching environment
A/Prof. Collie says that while reducing these poor working conditions is vital to solving the teacher shortage, efforts must also be made to foster a healthy and supportive environment for teachers to thrive.
“Reducing poor working conditions simply creates a neutral environment. So, at the same time, we must improve the things that make teaching a great profession to begin with,” A/Prof. Collie says.
Research indicates the opportunity to have input in decision-making within schools and positive interpersonal relationships with both students and colleagues are factors that play a crucial role in ensuring teachers remain engaged in the profession.
“Those things play an essential role in teacher happiness and wellbeing. If teachers are happy at work, they’re more effective at work and want to stay at work,” A/Prof. Collie says.
It’s also essential for teachers to have access to professional learning and mentoring opportunities relevant to the different demands they face across regions and schools, A/Prof. Collie says.
“Giving teachers professional learning opportunities, effective feedback and mentoring so they can continue to build their skills is essential and this is something we need to make sure is accessible to teachers in all schools,” A/Prof. Collie says.
If we hope to address the teacher shortage long-term, we must ultimately listen to what teachers say, A/Prof. Collie says.
“There’s an excellent cohort of skilled teachers telling us this is why we want to leave or have already left,” A/Prof. Collie says. “If we don’t deal with the root causes, if we don’t improve working conditions, then teachers – current or new – just aren’t going to stick around.”
Union condemns Newcastle Uni’s proposed wage cut
The National Tertiary Education has today condemned the latest pay offer from University of Newcastle management as a massive cut to the real wages of university staff.
The NTEU and Uni management have been in negotiations for a new enterprise agreement for almost 12 months. Yesterday Uni management announced a pay offer totalling just 6% over more than three years.
Dan Conway, NTEU Branch President said:
“Management’s offer is insulting to hard-working Newcastle Uni staff. Their offer of 6% over more than three years doesn’t even match the inflation rate for the current year.
“Over the life of the enterprise agreement it equates to less than 2% per annum. In the current inflationary environment, that’s a huge real wage cut. And this coming from a management that sacked hundreds of staff over the last two years.
“Earlier this year Newcastle Uni announced a record surplus of $185 million. The Uni can clearly afford a proper pay rise as well as deliver on job security and safe and healthy workloads.”
Dr Damien Cahill, NTEU NSW Secretary said:
“Newcastle University management need to get serious about investing in their staff. It was the hard work of University staff that got the University through the worst days of the pandemic.
“It is university staff who are now shouldering the extra work resulting from hundreds of their colleagues being callously sacked. And you can’t expect a quality student experience without giving uni staff a pay rise that keeps pace with the cost of living and without fixing the crisis of insecure employment and chronic overwork.”
Jobs summit must tackle higher education crisis
Ahead of joining the NTEU picket line at the University of Sydney staff strike this morning, Deputy Greens leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit must address the job insecurity crisis in higher education.
Senator Faruqi said:
“There is a scourge of insecure, casualised work in higher education. University workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
“If we want our universities to deliver the highest quality teaching, learning and research, we have to invest in staff, treat them fairly and stop their exploitation.
“The upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit is an opportunity for the government to hammer out its response to this crisis – and not a moment too soon. We need action on casual conversion, secure jobs, fair pay, wage theft and increased public funding for our universities.
“As a proud NTEU member and former university lecturer, I know first hand how working conditions on our campuses have deteriorated rapidly over the last few decades. This is shameful and unacceptable.
“Industrial action at Sydney has been ongoing for months. It’s utterly cooked that university workers have to sacrifice their time and wages to stand up for their basic rights at work — fair pay, decent conditions and a secure job. Solidarity!”