Health Archives - Port Macquarie News Of The Area

CSU Port Macquarie professor leads research revealing rising discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in regional Australia

REGIONAL Australians who identify as LGBTQ+ are reporting growing levels of discrimination, with new research led by Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics revealing many people still do not feel safe being themselves in country communities. Professor Suzanne McLaren, from CSU’s School of Psychology in Port Macquarie, co-led the second Regional Rainbow Survey alongside Associate Professor […]

Government, Health

Eight-year-old campaigns for severe eczema treatment at Parliament House

PORT Macquarie’s Bowie Pedro has taken her campaign for better access to severe eczema treatment to Parliament House, with the support of Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan. Bowie, who lives with severe atopic dermatitis, commonly known as severe eczema, met Mr Conaghan during a visit to Canberra. The young advocate experienced years of daily […]

Health

Lilli Pilli Ladies donate $116,500 cold cap machines to Mid North Coast Cancer Institute

LILLI Pilli Ladies have strengthened support for local cancer patients by donating two Paxman cold cap machines valued at $116,500 to the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute (MNCCI) in Port Macquarie. The cold cap machines, valued at $116,500, help reduce hair loss in people undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The machines work by cooling the scalp during […]

Event, Health

Two free events helping locals better understand alcohol and other drug issues in Wauchope

THE Hastings Community Drug Action Team (HCDAT) is inviting local residents to take part in an upcoming community forum designed to encourage open and honest conversations about alcohol and other drug use. HCDAT Chair Veronica Godfrey said the event, ‘You CAN Ask That: Drugs and Alcohol’, aims to create a safe and respectful space where […]

Health

Nurses and midwives receive backpay after pay increase

PUBLIC sector nurses and midwives across NSW should have now received backpay payments, following a pay increase decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) in April. The IRC ruling delivered nurses and midwives a pay rise of between 16 and 28 percent over a period of three years, backdated to 1 July 2025. Backpayments […]

Health

Kew four-year-old raises $1700 for mental health campaign

Henry Turnbull. Henry Turnbull and his mullet. HENRY Turnbull is only four-years-old, yet displays a sense of compassion well beyond his years. The youngest son of Kew residents Aimee and Arnold Turnbull, he has raised more than $1700 in April for the Mullets For Mental Health campaign. Henry’s older brother Rory was diagnosed with cancer […]

Community, Health

Brett’s wheelchair gets new lease of life but many other mobility devices are gathering dust

EACH year the NDIS funds almost $600 million dollars for the purchase and maintenance of assistive technology such as wheelchairs. But as the scheme continues to experience cost blowouts and participants wait up to a year for wheelchairs to be funded, millions of dollars’ worth of equipment is going to waste. For Wauchope resident Lorraine […]

Health

Walkable towns help regional Australians exercise 75 minutes more each week

AMID soaring fuel prices which are prompting Australians to explore alternative transport options, a new study highlights the health benefits of walkable neighbourhoods. New research shows that regional residents living in walkable towns and centres walk 75 minutes more each week, prompting calls for Governments to invest more in well-connected, safe footpaths to boost community […]

Community, Health

Improvements in home waste management

RESULTS from the 2025 MidWaste Kerbside Waste Audit have revealed that households in the Port Macquarie Hastings local government area are outperforming state averages for waste management. Local households achieved a 75 percent landfill diversion rate, with most of the household waste being successfully kept out of landfill through recycling and the Food Organics and […]

Health

Heart Health NSW donates ‘Sara Stedy’ aid to Port Macquarie hospital

Heart Health NSW’s Dennis Bridgeland, Bill Peck, Reg Wilkinson, Bryan Gough, Kaitlin Largent and Mandy Short experience firsthand the benefits of the Sara Stedy. Photo: supplied. Heart Health NSW members with Mandy Short and the plaque honouring Doug Short. Photo: supplied. PORT Macquarie Base Hospital’s Coronary Care Unit has strengthened its patient care capabilities following […]