The Plight of Ageing Carers

There are many people with disability in our community who are looked after by their parents, who provide wonderful care with support from government and non-government services.

However there is growing concern about the future, as many parents grow older, and may themselves need more care.

For example what will happen to a child with a disability if their parent falls and is injured – who will care for them?

Carers praised those providing services in the region, but are also worried at possible future shortages of staff. This may mean using short-term replacement staff who do not know their clients so well and this can be distressing for those with a disability.

Carers also felt that it would be good if there were stronger links between respite care services and the staff that those with disability deal with regularly.

You may have concerns in this area that you would like to raise with me – I would be interested in your feedback. 

Kenneally Government Acts On Concerns of Dr Joe McGirr

The Kenneally government has acted on concerns raised by independent candidate for the state seat of Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, about the size of the Murrumbidgee local health network.
A decision has been made to move Balranald and Wentworth into the Far West local health network. It has also been announced that towns with close proximity to interstate borders will be subject to planning studies to determine future cross-border arrangements.

“I have been critical of the size of the Murrumbidgee Local Health Network (LHN) and it is good to see that action has been taken,” said Dr. Joe McGirr.
“It is also encouraging to see the government recognise the need for towns close to the border to be linked to Victoria.”
Lake Cargellico will now be incorporated into the Murrumbidgee network, although this is subject to legislative action.
In November 2010, Dr. McGirr spoke out about the size of the Murrumbidgee Local Health Network saying it would not be functional extending to the South Australian border.
“It is good to see that the government is responding to the concerns I raised on behalf of the community,” said Dr. McGirr.

Alcohol-Related Violence

Dr Joe McGirr, the independent candidate for the State Seat of Wagga Wagga, has supported calls to introduce closed circuit television surveillance to parts of the Wagga Wagga city as part of a campaign against alcohol related violence.
Violence related to alcohol is increasing especially in the early hours of the morning and near to licensed premises. A recent survey conducted by the Daily Advertiser confirms community concerns.
“CCTV should be introduced to at least some parts of the Wagga Wagga CBD,” Dr McGirr said.
“If cost is an issue perhaps CCTV could be introduced to parts of the CBD such as the taxi rank,” Dr McGirr added.
Dr McGirr also endorsed the “Last Drinks” campaign.
Police, nurses, ambulance officers and doctors have combined forces to form a coalition of concerned emergency services workers to campaign to raise awareness of this significant community problem. The campaign is called the “Last Drinks”.
There are dangers facing emergency services workers who have to deal with violent and intoxicated people. And there are the increased costs of having to provide more staff or take staff away from other duties.
Among a number of measures, the coalition of concerned emergency services workers is proposing

· Reduced opening hours

· A lockout from 1am for all hotels across the state

· Prohibition of the sale of shots, mixed drinks with more than 30 mls of alcohol and ready mixed drinks stronger than five percent alcohol by volume after 10pm

“I have seen at first hand the effects of alcohol causing violence – the personal cost for those involved and the effect on those caring for them,” Dr Joe McGirr said.
Dr McGirr believes that the sale of alcohol in a form that can be too quickly taken in is a significant factor in the problem.
“The situation has only become worse over the years, especially with the sale of shots and drinks where people can very quickly lose control,” he said.
Dr McGirr praised the work of the local Wagga liquor accord which had acted to implement better closing hours and lockout.
“The addition of CCTV and further restrictions on the administration of shots could go a long way to improving the situation concerning alcohol related violence.

Nurse Campaign

Independent candidate for the state seat of Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, welcomed the news that the government has put forward an offer to negotiate with nurses over their current campaign.
However Dr McGirr believes the key to resolving the crisis may be in getting the right mix of skilled nurses in our hospitals.
“Nurses have campaigned on getting a ratio of one nurse to four patients,” Dr McGirr said.
“I know that registered nurses are also very concerned about the effect on patient care of reducing the number of registered nurses and replacing them with assistants in nursing,” Dr Joe McGirr.
“This undermines patient care and erodes the standing of the profession.”
While not aware of details of the current offer, Dr McGirr believes a way forward in the current crisis may be for the government to give guarantees on the professional role of registered nurses as a way of meeting the concerns of the profession.
“Registered nurses are the leaders in their field. We need to get their numbers right to get patient care right,” Dr McGirr said.