SPECIALIST survey works are now underway inside Port Macquarie Base Hospital and around its grounds, as the early planning stage of its $265m upgrade gets underway. These works involve the use of advanced, body-worn scanning camera technology to capture highly accurate measurements of existing hospital buildings, both internally and externally. A Health Infrastructure spokesperson said […]
Port Macquarie duo ‘The 2 Mums’ nominated for 2026 Spirit of Community Awards
CHRONIC and terminal illnesses come at very high emotional, physical, and financial cost to individuals and their loved ones, but locals Sherill Weidenbohm and Julie Bowes are doing their best to alleviate that burden on the Mid North Coast. Known as “The 2 Mums”, they have spent the past seven years as a constant and […]
Extreme weather increasing health risks in rural and remote Australia
THE Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says extreme weather across Australia is increasing health risks for rural, remote and First Nations communities and placing growing pressure on local health services. ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says prolonged and severe weather events are affecting the health of rural communities and will continue to […]
Staff praised as Mid North Coast hospitals deliver strong results in quarterly report
PUBLIC hospitals across the Mid North Coast are providing high-quality care despite high demand in emergency departments, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information statistics. The quarterly report is based on the period between July – September 2025. Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) Chief Executive Jill Wong praised staff for their commitment […]
PBS prescription costs to drop to $25 from 1 January under Federal legislation
NEW Federal Government legislation reduces the cost of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions from 1 January. Under the changes, the maximum PBS co-payment falls to $25, down from $31.60, easing pressure on household budgets. The legislation follows advocacy from more than 20 health and community organisations, including the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Patients Australia, Asthma […]
Pharmacist James Yoo and GP Warwick Wickham honoured in Healthy North Coast awards
PORT Macquarie pharmacist James Yoo and GP Warwick Wickham have been recognised in the Healthy North Coast Primary Care Excellence Awards, held on 25 November at Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour. The awards were the first since 2017 and brought together 175 primary health care professionals and sector partners from across the North Coast. […]
Town Beach flash mob highlights importance of better care for pregnant and postpartum women
WITH a burst of music and a flood of red t-shirts, Town Beach came alive on Saturday 22 November as part of a series of flash mobs appearing around the country. Led by Rachel Leman of Miss Motivator, 25 mums descended on the local beach with one mission in mind: to highlight the importance of […]
Hastings Cancer Trust join country music fundraiser at Kew
HASTINGS Cancer Trust (HCT) was formed in 2005 with a goal to mobilise funding and volunteers to assist cancer patients in the region. Administration Co-ordinator Sue Ryan told News Of The Area, “We aim to fund and provide a full spectrum of equipment so that patients can be treated locally instead of travelling long distances […]
‘Amazing’ Pink Ladies launch Christmas fundraiser
IF you’ve ever spent time in Port Macquarie Base Hospital, it is likely that you have interacted with one of the “Pink Ladies”. This dedicated group of approximately 70 women and 30 men can be found in almost every ward of the hospital and refer to themselves as ‘gophers’. With one volunteer scheduled on most […]
Ruth Durant, Mayor Adam Roberts, President Dr Caterine Settle, Susanne Pritchard and Dan Abei. Photo: supplied.
Hastings Home Hospice honours volunteers’ decades of compassion
Ruth Durant, Mayor Adam Roberts, President Dr Caterine Settle, Susanne Pritchard and Dan Abei. Photo: supplied. HHH Secretary Jenny Delroy thanks members and volunteers. Photo: supplied. CURRENT and past members of Hastings Home Hospice (HHH) gathered for a special afternoon tea on Thursday 30 October at the Lions Club in Port Macquarie. The event was […]
