Best health system in the world?

Yes, that’s me laying on the radiation machine at the Peter Mac Cancer Centre just about to be nuked from both above and below.

The green laser beams are aligned with inked tatoos that they put on you so that they can relocate you exactly each time you receive the treatment.  The alignment procedure takes about five minutes and the actual radiation is about five seconds top and bottom.  There is no feeling associated with the treatment – all you hear is the buzz of the monster machine.

After the top has been done, the whole machine pivots on the wall and can be directed throughout the full 360 degrees to get to the area to be treated. (see next photo)

This is one of six machines at the clinic that are in full use every day.  They have more machines at Box Hill, Monash and elsewhere that are kept just as busy.

And, you know, this treatment costs you nothing – as does the daily transport to and from the clinic by ambulance – or the accommodation required for your stay in the city.

Show me another country where terminal or chronic illness is treated by the government’s national health scheme without out-of-pocket costs to the patient.  A friend, who spent many years living in the US was telling me today that she was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack.  After an overnight stay and being told it was a false alarm, she was sent home with a bill for some thousands of dollars.

Local news and media archive – 9 Jan 09

Local News Stories and Media Releases archived elsewhere together with current world news stories worthy of comment.

• 09.01.09 Fire Services Levy fury – Bill Sykes Media Release
• 31.12.08 A big year ahead for RCoW – Wangaratta Chronicle
• 31.12.08 St John’s Rates battle gets political – Wangaratta Chronicle
• 29.12.08 RCoW Showgrounds committee ‘Dysfunctional’ – Wangaratta Chronicl
• 29.12.08 CFA finally recognises local firefighters killed – Wangaratta Chronicle
• 12.12.08 Nationals success for CHS legislation – Bill Sykes Media Release
• 12.11.08 Review of patient transport assistance scheme – Bill Sykes Media Release
• 12.11.08 RCow rates move against St John’s units – Wangaratta Chronicle
• 12.12.08 Does their word rate?- Wangaratta Chronicle
• 12.12.08 Deadline looms for water inquiry submissions – Bill Sykes Media Release

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HOW TO CARRY A LADDER IN THE FAMILY CAR …

Make sure the kids lay down or it could be bloody dangerous

Where do our new councillors stand

It will be interesting to see how the blocs develop within our new Wangaratta Council.  The first indication comes with the issue of rating the residents of St John’s independent living units which, upon construction, were gazetted rate free on Charitable grounds.  The Wangaratta Chronicle hobbled together the following information after the question was raised at a pre-election ‘meet the candidates’ rally.

Cr Rozi Parisotto

Cr Lauren O'Neill

Cr Doug McPhee

Speaking out strongly against the move to rate the elderly at St Johns were Crs Rozi Parisotto and Lauren O’Neill whilst Doug McPhee believed council should honor agreements made with existing residents.

“As these units become available to new owners, then perhaps the new owners should pay rates and any new units be treated the same”

Cr Anthony Griffiths

Cr Ron Webb

Both Crs Anthony Griffiths and Mayor Ron Webb said the issue needed further investigation, but Griffiths was reluctant to introduce a new toll on elderley residents

Comment: This correlates with both councillors background where Anthony Griffiths is a ‘thinker’ whilst Mayor Webb, in a previous life in CFA administration, was renowned for his insistance on fully researching an issue before comitting to an answer.

Cr Lisa McInerney

Cr Roberto Paino

The rural city’s remaining councillors, Lisa McInerney and Roberto Paino indicated they were in favor of rating the units in the same way as other homes.

Comment: These two councillors would be expected to stick together as they are both from the ‘Appin Park Rotary Club’ grouping.

Now, it must be remembered that these opinions were expressed before the elections.  We will see how well they stick to their word when the issue is debated before council