Other News

Turning Point has just released the latest figures detailing causes of ambulance call-outs in metropolitan Melbourne. The report, Trends in alcohol and drug related ambulance attendances in Melbourne: 2009-10, was launched on Monday just gone. The study is a collaborative project between Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre’s Population Health Research Program and Ambulance Victoria. It was funded by the Victorian Department of Health.  Follow this linkto Turning Point to read the report.

This week is Australia’s first  National Pain Week. In recognition of this  we have a few more of the very popular “Chronic Pain DVDs” available for DANA members. If you would like to receive a copy send an email (with your full postal address)  to [email protected]. The DVDs were donated by  the “Australian Pain Management Association”.  You can read more about them at this link. Check out their Facebook page at the same time.

Some other sites that are worth exploring if you have an interest in pain  include “Chronic Pain Australia”  which can be found here.

The NOI Group is an interesting site to visit. Their prime focus is the  nervous system. Check out “NOI Notes”.  It is intended to inspire thinking and discussion for clinicians and pain sufferers. Read more at this link.

And don’t miss “Body in Mind” where you can read about research into the role of the brain in chronic pain. Follow this link.

Finally, set about an hour aside to watch and listen to a really informative and entertaining lecture (Pain. Is it all inthe mind?)by Professor Lorimer Moseley from the University of South Australia about the brain and pain.  Watch it on Youtube.

Two new links specifically for New Zealand have been added to the ‘ATOD Links’ section of the DANA website. You can also access theme  by clicking on the underscored links below.

Meth Help is for people concerned about their own or someone else’s use of meth and how it is impacting their lives. What you will find are experiences from meth users who have gone through the highs and lows of using and from their loved ones who were caught in the chaos. Their stories are straight-up accounts of meth and how they were able to release the grip meth had on their lives.

Drug Help has been made for people who are concerned about how drugs are affecting their lives – whether it’s because of their own use or because someone close to them has a problem. The stories you will hear are told by people who have used drugs. They are everyday New Zealanders whose drug taking has impacted on their lives. Through the experiences of others, you will find there is hope for change.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are being sought from actively practicing clinicians who have experience, skills and established networks across a range of healthcare sectors.
The EOI documentation is available on the ‘yourhealth’ website at http://www.yourhealth.gov.au/internet/yourhealth/publishing.nsf/Content/natleadclinicgroup, or alternatively can be sourced by emailing [email protected].
The attached letter from Dr Tony Sherbon to Ms Kim Ryan the Chair of  the Coalition of National Nursing Organisations CoNNO, provides additional information. .

The EOI process will close on 9 July 2011.

Alcohol: Reducing the harm and Curbing the culture of excess

Report no. 10 In the 38th parliament (of Western Australia) 2011

This report was presented to the WA Legislative Assembly on 23.6.11 on behalf of their Education and Health Committee which is chaired by Dr Janet Woollard MLA. It is worth reading and considering their recommendations.

The file is too large to link it to this website. However you can access it by following this link. There are several other reports of interest as well.

The Australian Pain Management Association Inc (APMA), in conjunction with Fortus Health, invites you to join the UK’s Pete Moore in a lively and informative seminar. Come and explore how the Persistent Pain Programme and the Pain and Self Care Toolkit can assist you to motivate patients with persistent pain.

Peter Moore is the internationally recognised creator of the Persistent Pain

Programme and Co-author of the Pain Toolkit with GP Dr Frances Cole, UK

He will expand on the role of the 12 Pain Tools for primary healthcare professionals and their value for self-management of long-term pain, in order to:

• work in partnership with patients
• address common problems that hinder pain self-management
• identify when to refer patients for specialist team input
• assess the change in patients’ confidence in pain self-management

As well, find out about the resources and activities available through APMA to assist and involve your patients.

St Leonards NSW

The Norman Nock Room 1

Kolling Building

Royal North Shore Hospital (Directions here: Kolling_Building_RNSH_ April_2011)

5.30pm for a sandwich with the talk commencing at 6.00pm.Monday 6 June. Contact  Karina Knight [email protected] or 9130 6086

Nerang Qld

2.45pm-4pm, Wednesday 8 June 2011

Nerang RSL, 69 Nerang St, Nerang

Register by Friday 3 June 2011 on 07 3359 2275 or [email protected]

$10 donation (receipt provided). Afternoon tea included

Chermside Qld

6.20pm-7.30pm, Thursday 9 June 2011

Club Chermside (Bowls Club), 468 Rode Rd, Chermside

Register by Friday 3 June 2011 on 07 3359 2275 or [email protected]

$10 donation (receipt provided). Supper included

Darwin NT

Frontiers of Pain Conference

Darwin, 12-16 June.

http://www.dcconferences.net.au/aps2011

Cairns turned on perfect conditions for its first DANA Meeting.  The above average rainfall and cyclones of recent times have gone for now leaving nothing but tropical splendour.

Some 26 members and guests gathered at the Novotel Oasis Resort for this inaugural meeting. Several had travelled a long way to attend: Tully, Innisfail and Mareeba to mention a few.

The topic for the evening was “Balancing Pain and Dependence:  Managing persistent pain, prescription opiate misuse and opiate dependence”. Guest speakers addressed this topic according to their clinical interests and expertise:

• Dr Clifton Timmins        – Anaesthetist and pain specialist           (Cairns)
• Dr Leann Mortimer       – Addiction specialist                (Cairns)
• Dr Sue Ballantyne         – Director Drugs Dependence Unit       (Brisbane)

Each of the presenters stimulated a very lively discussion which continued well past dessert and coffee!

Thank you to Morag Goodinson, one of our DANA members who works in Cairns, for getting the word out to everyone about the meeting and thank you to Jo McMaster from Reckit Benkiser for her support of the meeting.

The good folk from the Australian Pain Management Association (APMA) donated a few “Chronic Pain” DVDs for the Cairns meeting. Some were given out on the night but two remain. The first two people from North Queensland to contact DANA may have a copy. Send an email with you postal address to [email protected]. (These DVDs have been claimed 10.5.11)

Photographs of the evening are available by following this link.