SA Health

South Australia weekly Influenza and COVID-19 update 8 November 2024.
There have been 154 new cases of influenza reported in the past week.
There have been 248 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the past week.
For respiratory illness statistics visit: https://brnw.ch/21wNERK
[REMINDER]
🤧 If you have symptoms, stay home and rest until you feel well.
💦 Wash/sanitise your hands regularly.
💪 Stay up to date with your vaccinations.
📞 If you’re not feeling well and unsure what to do, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse.

A good night’s sleep is important for our health and wellbeing, but for some people, common sleep problems prevent this.

On average, adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day.
Not getting enough sleep causes problems with thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times, and mood.

Regular insufficient or poor sleep contributes to long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, try these tips:
🥱 don’t ignore tiredness – go to bed when your body tells you it’s ready
📵 avoid mentally stimulating activities close to bedtime, like screen time
😴 don’t take long naps, especially in the evening – these can make it harder to fall asleep
☕ avoid caffeinated drinks like tea or coffee close to bedtime
🚶 if you can’t get to sleep, get up and go to another room and read for a while and return to bed when you feel sleepy.

If your sleep still doesn’t improve, speak to your GP.

The Marion Ambulance Station is set to undergo a major transformation to improve capacity and operational efficiency for one of SA Ambulance Service's busiest crews.

The station will be home to 46 paramedics and provide garaged space for seven ambulances and one light fleet vehicle.

The build is anticipated to be complete and fully operational by late 2026, with demolition set to begin mid to late next year.

Staying home when you’re sick reduces the spread of illnesses and protects your family, friends and community – particularly those who are at a higher risk if they get sick.

If you’re feeling unwell, stay home, get plenty of rest and keep up your fluids.

In April this year, Kareena, Nurse Consultant at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network - NALHN found out she had breast cancer.

Within two weeks, she began chemo and within four weeks, she started to lose her hair.

After having an adverse reaction to a second kind of chemo, her treatment advanced to surgery.

Finally, the cancer was removed, and Kareena is now undertaking radiotherapy before beginning a third, and hopefully final, type of chemo.

Kareena has been helped through this journey in many ways, “the times I broke – I was put back together with incredible kindness.”

She credits the nurses and doctors who, despite being run off their feet, made her feel like they had all the time in the world for her.

To give back, Kareena’s family is hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, to raise funds for breast cancer research: brnw.ch/21wOngl

"In 20 years, I hope to be rejoicing to be alive" says Kareena.

"My daughter will be 31 and I hope research will have uncovered treatment that preserves much of what is currently lost – or even a cure."

The bowel screening test is simple, free and can be done in the privacy of your own home.

It involves collecting two tiny samples of your poo using the bowel screening test kit and returning it using the reply paid envelope.

Eligible people aged 45 to 49 can request a bowel screening test kit by speaking with their GP, calling 1800 627 701, or completing an online form: brnw.ch/21wOng4

People aged 50 to 74 who are due to screen will automatically receive their free kit in the mail.

To learn more, check out Preventive Health SA or visit: www.preventivehealth.sa.gov.au/get2it

🎄✨ Patients at the Women's and Children's Health Network got to experience some pageant magic of their own this weekend, with a royal visit from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.

Kids like 4-year-old Jeorgianna had the chance to meet royalty, when Princesses Sophie and Tayla and Princes Ravi and Matt made their way around the hospital handing out toys, and creating unforgettable memories for families who couldn’t make it to the event. 💙

SA Ambulance Service crews recently took part in a training exercise at Manguri – a remote outback town, 40km from Coober Pedy.

With help from the SA Country Fire Service and SA State Emergency Service, the crew focused on communication, leadership, and teamwork as they practiced rescuing patients from the train’s confined spaces.

Simulated exercises like this help to prepare emergency services for future incidents, and ensure the crews are ready to respond.

The team even managed to sneak in a quick sausage sizzle to celebrate their hard work. 💪

Looking for free mental health support?

Northern Adelaide Head to Health supports people aged 16 and over who are experiencing distress or are worried about someone they care about.

You don’t need an appointment, referral or a Medicare card.

The service is open every day at 23 Gillingham Road, Elizabeth:

🕒 8.30am – 9pm on weekdays
🕒 12pm – 6.30pm on weekends and public holidays.

To learn more, visit sonder.net.au/headtohealth

Adelaide journalist Ben was on his way home from work when a drug-affected driver, speeding at more than 170km/h, crashed into him.

Trapped in the wreckage and unconscious, Ben sustained critical injuries that would have cost him his life, if it weren’t for the heroic actions of first responders.

Three years on, Ben met with the people who saved his life, including the dedicated team of nurses, doctors, and surgeons at Royal Adelaide Hospital.

In his new documentary, ‘While I was sleeping’ – Ben shares his story for the first time, opening up about his long road to recovery and the devastating ripple effect of road trauma.

“I’m hopeful that it can send a really strong road safety message, as well as highlight some incredible feats of humanity that can often go by without the recognition they deserve” Ben said.

This year alone, there have been 72 fatalities and 681 serious injuries caused by crashes on South Australian roads.

Pictured here is Ben with Central Adelaide ICU nurse Rochell and Burns Unit staff Patrick, Marcus, and Stuart.

A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time, and your quick action can give someone the best chance of survival.

If a bystander uses an automated external defibrillator
(AED), the survival rate is around 50% compared to 27% when immediate assistance isn’t provided.

Remember to:
📞 call Triple Zero (000), who can direct you to the nearest registered AED and talk you through what to do
✋ push hard and fast in the middle of the person’s chest to deliver CPR
⚡ use an AED to deliver a shock as soon as possible.

AEDs are designed to be easy to use, even with no training, and safe for both the user and the patient.

Learn more on the Heart Foundation website: heartfoundation.org.au/shockingly-simple

Born at 28 weeks and weighing 670 grams, Ophelia celebrated a major milestone at the Women's and Children's Health Network last week – 100 days.

Her parents Mary and Ben were flown from their home in Port Augusta, to the Hospital due to Mary’s high blood pressure, and just five days later, little Ophelia made her early entrance into the world.

Mary says, “The nurses and doctors have been amazing. We can’t fault a thing. It’s been an interesting start to parenthood, but we’re so blessed she’s here.”

The family have also been staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities South Australia since Ophelia arrived in Adelaide.

Thank you to the incredible Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) and Special Baby Care Unit (SCBU) teams for all they do to care for our babies and families, and happy 100 days Ophelia.

Ready to get your step on? 👟

The fifth annual Billion Steps Challenge has officially kicked off.

Preventive Health SA and 10,000 Steps invite you to join them in helping South Australia reach one billion steps by the end of the month.

Can we beat last year's effort and reach the goal in under 29 days?

Whether you walk, run, or roll, every step is beneficial to your physical, social, and mental health.

You can step solo or get your workplace or community involved by registering and logging your steps at www.10000steps.org.au

⚠️ A patient has presented to hospital with severe lead poisoning after consuming an imported complementary medicine labelled as Multani Kaminividravana Rasa.

The product comes in the form of dark pellets and is sold as a ‘powerful stimulant’.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration - TGA has previously found that the tablets contain ingredients that are listed as dangerous poisons including heavy metals and opioids.

Consuming the product can cause severe lead poisoning, accidental overdose, hospitalisation and even death.

Symptoms of acute lead poisoning include:
• unexplained abdominal pain
• constipation
• nausea and vomiting
• headache
• fatigue
• irritability
• seizures.

If you suspect you are experiencing severe lead poisoning or opioid overdose, seek urgent medical attention.

South Australia weekly Influenza and COVID-19 update 1 November 2024.
There have been 155 new cases of influenza reported in the past week.
There have been 274 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the past week.
For respiratory illness statistics visit: https://brnw.ch/21wNERK
[REMINDER]
🤧 If you have symptoms, stay home and rest until you feel well.
💦 Wash/sanitise your hands regularly.
💪 Stay up to date with your vaccinations.
📞 If you’re not feeling well and unsure what to do, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse.

Are you a tosser or a keeper? 🍕🥫🍯

It might be Halloween, but the Hospital School SA teachers got all dressed up for a very different reason this week.

The team traded their textbooks for red noses in support of Clown Doctors – a team of skilled performers working closely with hospitals across Australia to bring joy, laughter, and connection to patients.

From checking funny bones to strumming ukulele tunes, the team are experts in prescribing giggles and smiles to lift the spirits of children and families in hospital care.

A big thank you for bringing a good dose of laughter to the Women's and Children's Health Network. 💙