Anyone who has visited a hospital in recent months would notice the appearance of a little bottle of pink liquid near every patient's bed. This is an innovation that has won Wollongong hospital a health award.
Months ago Wollongong hospital was in the news for all the wrong reasons. To it's shame - it was named for the worst record in the state for hospital to patient transfer of infections, including methicillin resistant staphylococus - the dreaded " Golden Staph ".
Some genius introduced that little bottle of alcohol based hand rub and encouraged nursing staff to disinfect their hands regularly - and it worked !
The old method of washing hands is more time wasting and that is a big factor in a busy hospital that is chronically under staffed. These bottles of hand rub are more readily available than sinks and water taps - and the hands dry instantly without the need of a paper towel.
This award is well deserved. Now would be a good time for other branches of our health system to listen - and learn.
We have a problem with food processors. From time to time there are outbreaks of Salmonella and other diseases - and in many cases the cause is poor hand hygiene by food workers.
If an alcohol based hand rub works in hospitals, it would surely work in the food preparation industry, and because it would be more readily available than conventional sinks and towels - it would be much more likely to be used..
Time to extend the hygiene thinking - and definitely time this regions food health inspectors started to demand alcohol based hand rub be implemented in all places where food is prepared.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Monday, 2 November 2009
The plot thickens !
If a claim that the seventy eight Tamil refugees on the Australian Oceanic Viking have lived in Indonesia for years - and have been accepted as refugees by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees ( UNHCR ) is true, it puts a big hole in Kevin Rudd's contention that the increase in boat people is simply the result of civil wars in other parts of the world.
What it does reflect is that some refugees demand the right to pick and choose where they will settle, and that some have every intention of forcing their way into Australia simply because our lifestyle is attractive.
Even if these people are Tamils fleeing a civil war in Sri Lanka, now would be a good time to have a reality check.
Tamil people fought a long and bitter war to try and wrest a separate homeland from the majority Sinhalese. For decades the country was impoverished, thousands died and the tourist trade was destroyed.
Eventually the Tamils were defeated - and now the victors have every right to sift through those survivors prepared to start a new war and intern them until they can safely be reintegrated into the Sri Lankan community.
For some reason the world tends to treat the end of a civil war like a soccer game. The adversaries do not simply shake hands and head off for a few beers together when the final siren sounds.
The logical destination for Tamils who are not prepared to face reality and integrate into Sri Lankan life would be nearby India - with it's own Tamil majority states.
But India is a poor country - and so these refugees reject it, Malaysia and then Indonesia in their determination to dictate where they will settle.
Sooner or later Kevin Rudd will have to face the fact that the previous governments hard line policy worked - and the flow of such refugees faded to a mere trickle.
It all started again and the people smugglers were back in business from the moment he relaxed that policy.
All the spin in the world will not change reality !
What it does reflect is that some refugees demand the right to pick and choose where they will settle, and that some have every intention of forcing their way into Australia simply because our lifestyle is attractive.
Even if these people are Tamils fleeing a civil war in Sri Lanka, now would be a good time to have a reality check.
Tamil people fought a long and bitter war to try and wrest a separate homeland from the majority Sinhalese. For decades the country was impoverished, thousands died and the tourist trade was destroyed.
Eventually the Tamils were defeated - and now the victors have every right to sift through those survivors prepared to start a new war and intern them until they can safely be reintegrated into the Sri Lankan community.
For some reason the world tends to treat the end of a civil war like a soccer game. The adversaries do not simply shake hands and head off for a few beers together when the final siren sounds.
The logical destination for Tamils who are not prepared to face reality and integrate into Sri Lankan life would be nearby India - with it's own Tamil majority states.
But India is a poor country - and so these refugees reject it, Malaysia and then Indonesia in their determination to dictate where they will settle.
Sooner or later Kevin Rudd will have to face the fact that the previous governments hard line policy worked - and the flow of such refugees faded to a mere trickle.
It all started again and the people smugglers were back in business from the moment he relaxed that policy.
All the spin in the world will not change reality !
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Income insurance !
The unions are proposing that Australia should implement a compulsory income insurance scheme. They argue that we insure our homes and our cars against loss - so why not our pay packets ?
There is nothing new about income insurance. All the big insurance companies have that product and it is widely used by self employed people and high income earners. The premiums are a legitimate tax deduction.
What the ACTU has in mind is a compulsory scheme attached to national superannuation. Just as the boss is forced to contribute to a worker's superannuation, this premium would be a similarly shared responsibility.
It all comes down to simple mathematics. If the contributions stay the same then the worker has income protection for a nominated period of time, but gets a smaller payout when he or she finally retires and looks to the superannuation nest egg.
The biggest winner would be the Federal government.
Last year I60,000 lost their jobs and many of them applied for " Newstart " with a payment of $ 228 per week, well below the poverty line.
What is not widely known is that " Newstart " is means tested, and applicants are rejected if their savings amount to more than $ 5,500. As a result, those that get some sort of redundancy settlement have to spend that money before the government starts to shell out, and those who are wise and save for their retirement become losers !
The winners - if existing below the poverty line on " Newstart " could be considered winners - are those who save nothing and live from one pay packet to the next !
There is merit in this ACTU suggestion provided the government doesn't use it as just another way to reduce welfare payments. When people become unemployed through no fault of their own everyone should receive equal help to restore their dignity, train for a new career - and find a paying job.
Savings of $ 5,500 is about the cost of a new plasma TV set. Surely the provident should not be reduced to that level before help is offered ?
Income insurance would be a good thing - provided it did not become an instrument of social engineering - designed to force all who lose their jobs because of economic circumstances to a common level - below the poverty line !
There is nothing new about income insurance. All the big insurance companies have that product and it is widely used by self employed people and high income earners. The premiums are a legitimate tax deduction.
What the ACTU has in mind is a compulsory scheme attached to national superannuation. Just as the boss is forced to contribute to a worker's superannuation, this premium would be a similarly shared responsibility.
It all comes down to simple mathematics. If the contributions stay the same then the worker has income protection for a nominated period of time, but gets a smaller payout when he or she finally retires and looks to the superannuation nest egg.
The biggest winner would be the Federal government.
Last year I60,000 lost their jobs and many of them applied for " Newstart " with a payment of $ 228 per week, well below the poverty line.
What is not widely known is that " Newstart " is means tested, and applicants are rejected if their savings amount to more than $ 5,500. As a result, those that get some sort of redundancy settlement have to spend that money before the government starts to shell out, and those who are wise and save for their retirement become losers !
The winners - if existing below the poverty line on " Newstart " could be considered winners - are those who save nothing and live from one pay packet to the next !
There is merit in this ACTU suggestion provided the government doesn't use it as just another way to reduce welfare payments. When people become unemployed through no fault of their own everyone should receive equal help to restore their dignity, train for a new career - and find a paying job.
Savings of $ 5,500 is about the cost of a new plasma TV set. Surely the provident should not be reduced to that level before help is offered ?
Income insurance would be a good thing - provided it did not become an instrument of social engineering - designed to force all who lose their jobs because of economic circumstances to a common level - below the poverty line !
Saturday, 31 October 2009
The " Parachute club " !
It seems that the era of rank and file branch members choosing the candidate to represent the Australian Labor party at state or Federal elections is now a distant memory.
Rule N-40 allows head office to step into that role - and parachute in a distant candidate of their choosing to satisfy the incestuous needs of the various factions to maintain their numbers.
Such was the case in the Wollongong electorate of Throsby when union heavy weight Jennie George was parachuted in, despite the objections of the branches. She went on to hold the seat for three terms - and has proved to be both popular and effective, but now she is considering retiring.
Another union heavy weight is touted as her replacement - to maintain the faction balance and satisfy the " left " numbers game.
Stephen Jones has no connection with Throsby, a " safe " Labor seat with a margin of I6.5%. It's quite possible he would win the affection of voters and may prove to be a worthy representative. No doubt some will recall the fact that Jennie George was a Melbourne woman whose only experience of Wollongong was attending a conference here in the dim, dark, distant past. She bought a home here, knuckled down - and earned her spurs as our member.
That may be so, but the whole concept of democracy is choice - and that is something the ALP is consistently taking away from the people who fill in voting forms.
Politics is moving away from the wishes of the average man or woman to choose their representative. The party rules supreme and the factional mix dictates who will be nominated.
The ALP will probably get away with it once again, but there have been rumblings at this blatant disregard of a democratic choice, and the power brokers would do well to remember Cunningham - when a disastrous " parachute " choice had one of the safest of safe Labor seats reject the " ring-in " and turn their backs - and vote in the first Green member of the lower house of parliament.
Like a rubber band - choice can only be stretched so far - and then it breaks !
Rule N-40 allows head office to step into that role - and parachute in a distant candidate of their choosing to satisfy the incestuous needs of the various factions to maintain their numbers.
Such was the case in the Wollongong electorate of Throsby when union heavy weight Jennie George was parachuted in, despite the objections of the branches. She went on to hold the seat for three terms - and has proved to be both popular and effective, but now she is considering retiring.
Another union heavy weight is touted as her replacement - to maintain the faction balance and satisfy the " left " numbers game.
Stephen Jones has no connection with Throsby, a " safe " Labor seat with a margin of I6.5%. It's quite possible he would win the affection of voters and may prove to be a worthy representative. No doubt some will recall the fact that Jennie George was a Melbourne woman whose only experience of Wollongong was attending a conference here in the dim, dark, distant past. She bought a home here, knuckled down - and earned her spurs as our member.
That may be so, but the whole concept of democracy is choice - and that is something the ALP is consistently taking away from the people who fill in voting forms.
Politics is moving away from the wishes of the average man or woman to choose their representative. The party rules supreme and the factional mix dictates who will be nominated.
The ALP will probably get away with it once again, but there have been rumblings at this blatant disregard of a democratic choice, and the power brokers would do well to remember Cunningham - when a disastrous " parachute " choice had one of the safest of safe Labor seats reject the " ring-in " and turn their backs - and vote in the first Green member of the lower house of parliament.
Like a rubber band - choice can only be stretched so far - and then it breaks !
Friday, 30 October 2009
Medicine - and superclinics !
Many doctors have reservations about the Federal government plan to spend $ 275 million to create eight " superclinics " in New South Wales - one of them in Shellharbour.
It is almost " a tale of two cities ". There seems to be an ample supply of general practitioners in the northern suburbs of Wollongong, and yet in Shellharbour they are in short supply - and seeing a doctor involves a very long wait.
The idea of herding whatever doctors are available into some sort of superclinic tends to break the nexus between doctor and patient.
The theme of a superclinic is that " you will be allocated a doctor " - but not necessarily the doctor you usually see, who knows your past history, temperament, foibles - and in whom you have faith and confidence.
Superclinics have about them that aura of " socialised medicine " !
Unfortunately this seems to be the way the world is heading. The day of the " corner store " is over and we now buy our groceries at a supermarket. The number of family owned, friendly filling stations is dwindling and being replaced by oil company sponsored mega petrol sellers owned by those supermarket chains - and the era has ended when milkmen, bread delivery girls and a host of other services delivered house to house in the suburbs.
It looks like " take a number, sit and wait " will be imposed on those areas where doctors do not choose to site their practices. Unfortunately this will exacerbate the difference between " good " suburbs - and " the others " !
One more reason why there is a big difference in house prices.
People prefer to live where a civilized range of services is offered !
It is almost " a tale of two cities ". There seems to be an ample supply of general practitioners in the northern suburbs of Wollongong, and yet in Shellharbour they are in short supply - and seeing a doctor involves a very long wait.
The idea of herding whatever doctors are available into some sort of superclinic tends to break the nexus between doctor and patient.
The theme of a superclinic is that " you will be allocated a doctor " - but not necessarily the doctor you usually see, who knows your past history, temperament, foibles - and in whom you have faith and confidence.
Superclinics have about them that aura of " socialised medicine " !
Unfortunately this seems to be the way the world is heading. The day of the " corner store " is over and we now buy our groceries at a supermarket. The number of family owned, friendly filling stations is dwindling and being replaced by oil company sponsored mega petrol sellers owned by those supermarket chains - and the era has ended when milkmen, bread delivery girls and a host of other services delivered house to house in the suburbs.
It looks like " take a number, sit and wait " will be imposed on those areas where doctors do not choose to site their practices. Unfortunately this will exacerbate the difference between " good " suburbs - and " the others " !
One more reason why there is a big difference in house prices.
People prefer to live where a civilized range of services is offered !
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Safety not assured !
When you hop on a ferry in Sydney harbour you have every expectation that you will arrive safely at your destination. The chance that the ferry will sink halfway to Manly is certainly remote.
You are assured that the vessel will be in prime condition - and that it has been subjected to regular inspections and holds all the necessary certificates.Unfortunately that is not guaranteed in other parts of the world.
In nearby Tonga seventy two unfortunate passengers met an untimely death when the ferry they were travelling on - the Princess Ashika - suddenly sank. An investigation has revealed that this vessel was literally " a floating death trap ". It was riddled with rust - had gaping holes - and would not have passed even the most rudimentary sea worthiness inspection.
Unfortunately this is not an isolated instance. Unsafe - and often over crowded - ferries and ferry disasters are common in countries that Australians visit on holiday. Such sudden sinking's and consequent loss of life occur regularly in the Philipine's, Indonesia - and other Pacific island countries.
It is a warning to approach any foreign ferry travel with extreme caution. It would be a good idea not to assume that safety regulations are in place and to carry out a personal inspection of the vessel before boarding. Even if it appears sound, the number of people being carried should be of concern.
The best advice is probably - " When in doubt - don't ! "
Unfortunately, in countries where ferry safety is lax, air safety usually has a similar record.
That seems to be a big plus for having a holiday within Australia - or if you must go overseas - choosing a country with a similar safety regime to that which applies here.
You are assured that the vessel will be in prime condition - and that it has been subjected to regular inspections and holds all the necessary certificates.Unfortunately that is not guaranteed in other parts of the world.
In nearby Tonga seventy two unfortunate passengers met an untimely death when the ferry they were travelling on - the Princess Ashika - suddenly sank. An investigation has revealed that this vessel was literally " a floating death trap ". It was riddled with rust - had gaping holes - and would not have passed even the most rudimentary sea worthiness inspection.
Unfortunately this is not an isolated instance. Unsafe - and often over crowded - ferries and ferry disasters are common in countries that Australians visit on holiday. Such sudden sinking's and consequent loss of life occur regularly in the Philipine's, Indonesia - and other Pacific island countries.
It is a warning to approach any foreign ferry travel with extreme caution. It would be a good idea not to assume that safety regulations are in place and to carry out a personal inspection of the vessel before boarding. Even if it appears sound, the number of people being carried should be of concern.
The best advice is probably - " When in doubt - don't ! "
Unfortunately, in countries where ferry safety is lax, air safety usually has a similar record.
That seems to be a big plus for having a holiday within Australia - or if you must go overseas - choosing a country with a similar safety regime to that which applies here.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Parole enigma.
When a judge hands down a sentence for a major crime the term of incarceration usually pleases nobody. Some people think the prisoner should never be released and the judge sets both a maximum and a minimum sentence. The minimum is seen as a reward should the prisoner show contrition - and obey the rules and be of good behaviour.
Phillip Choon Tee Lin has now served eighteen years - the minimum of a twenty-four year sentence for the murder of heart surgeon Doctor Victor Chang. It was a grisly murder of a much loved pioneer of life saving surgery and now it is proposed that Lee be released on parole - and deported to his native Malaysia.
According to the prison authorities, Lee has been a model prisoner. He has shown remorse, obeyed prison rules and given his gaolers no trouble.
It is natural that many people are enraged at the prospect of parole, but then they would probably be equally enraged if he completed his twenty-four year sentence and was automatically released.
The problem is that the murder of an internationally respected leader of heart surgery is seen as an attack on the very foundations of the civilization we hold so dear - and to many no amount of gaol time would be an adequate sentence.
If the victim of this murder had been a citizen unknown to the public then this matter of parole would pass without question. People get parole every day of the year and criminals pass back into society without question.
It is unfortunate that because of the fame of the victim the intent of the justice system is about to be distorted. Lee will probably serve more time in prison - and his remorse and good behaviour will serve for nothing.
Whether the original sentence was adequate is a moot point !
What is an issue is that media publicity and public outrage is going to influence the outcome of what is supposed to be removed from the public arena and put in the hands of an experienced judge.
Justice extended to appease public opinion could be seen as justice denied !
Phillip Choon Tee Lin has now served eighteen years - the minimum of a twenty-four year sentence for the murder of heart surgeon Doctor Victor Chang. It was a grisly murder of a much loved pioneer of life saving surgery and now it is proposed that Lee be released on parole - and deported to his native Malaysia.
According to the prison authorities, Lee has been a model prisoner. He has shown remorse, obeyed prison rules and given his gaolers no trouble.
It is natural that many people are enraged at the prospect of parole, but then they would probably be equally enraged if he completed his twenty-four year sentence and was automatically released.
The problem is that the murder of an internationally respected leader of heart surgery is seen as an attack on the very foundations of the civilization we hold so dear - and to many no amount of gaol time would be an adequate sentence.
If the victim of this murder had been a citizen unknown to the public then this matter of parole would pass without question. People get parole every day of the year and criminals pass back into society without question.
It is unfortunate that because of the fame of the victim the intent of the justice system is about to be distorted. Lee will probably serve more time in prison - and his remorse and good behaviour will serve for nothing.
Whether the original sentence was adequate is a moot point !
What is an issue is that media publicity and public outrage is going to influence the outcome of what is supposed to be removed from the public arena and put in the hands of an experienced judge.
Justice extended to appease public opinion could be seen as justice denied !
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