Pambula Hospital maternity service
Our eldest son Michael was born at Pambula Hospital in March 1996.
It was a small hospital, but well equipped. The medical and nursing staff were all very skilled and friendly.
Juliet had an epidural.
I was surprised to hear the hospital’s birthing unit had been closed.
However, a media release I received by email this morning offers some hope for the service to be reopened.
Hopefully that occurs, because although Pambula is only 30km from Bega, it’s the closest hospital to Eden, which is further to the south. (more…)
Optometrist
I went to an optometrist today for the first time in about five years. I knew my short-sightedness was getting worse, and he confirmed it.
Just part of the natural ageing process for people over 40, he politely explained.
I find it easier to read small print without glasses than with them. However, I’m not getting new glasses, or special reading glasses, at this stage.
The problem is irritating, rather than troublesome.
While there, he tested for glaucoma and took a retinal photograph. That was the first time anyone had taken a photo of my eye.
Optometrist said he’s had the machine for two years and it was the first one in South Australia. (more…)
Eyes
We take our eyes for granted most of the time. Like the Australian batting order, it’s only something we think about when there’s a problem.
I’m seeing the optometrist tomorrow for the first time in several years.
I’m pretty sure my short-sightedness has got worse. I now have trouble reading small text close to my face.
I don’t think my astigmatism is any worse, but I recall an optometrist telling me once the short-sightedness may deteriorate as I get older. (more…)
Medical referrals
The “system” by which general practitioners refer patients to specialists is a mystery to most people, myself included, and I worked in the health sector for several years.
How and why do GPs select which specialists to refer people to? Why should you need a referral to see a skin specialist if you have a skin disease?
I heard the other day about a woman who wanted her five-year-old daughter to see a child psychologist. The GP referred them to someone in Adelaide.
Why Adelaide?
I have to suspect that referral choices are based loosely on either a mates’ network or a business relationship. (more…)
Flat feet
Son Michael has been complaining about a sore heel for a few weeks, so I asked Juliet to take him to a podiatrist and he had the appointment this afternoon.
After consulting Dr Google last night, I thought he might have Sever’s Disease, which is common in boys of his age and they grow out of it.
But the podiatrist says Michael has flat feet and needs arch support.
He’s having a cast of his foot made at the next appointment and will probably have the orthotic device by September. (more…)
Swine flu rumor management
I’ve lived in country communities long enough to know that rumors spread like wildfire.
Some rumors are true, many are false. The media will ignore many, and some are too big to ignore.
Governments, organisations, businesses and individuals have three options when dealing with rumors: Confirm, deny or ignore.
Some should be ignored because they are too silly. Others must be answered because they are too serious. (more…)
Doctors and phone books
I spent two hours today delivering phone books. It’s the major fundraiser for Suttontown Primary School that families deliver the local phone book for Sensis.
Our designated area included parts of the central business district, which Juliet had to do by herself in warm weather on working days.
The big kids disappointingly didn’t want to help us. Teenagers! (more…)
