January 2025
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Heat and Water Safety Awareness
With summer here, it’s important to stay safe in the heat and around water to make the most of the season. Understanding the Risks High temperatures can lead to heat related illnesses such as heat cramps, exhaustion, or heatstroke, which can be life-threatening. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, are particularly at risk. Similarly, while water activities provide relief and recreation, they also come with risks. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death, particularly among children. Practicing water safety is just as important as managing the summer heat. Staying Safe in the…
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Staying safe during bushfire season
As temperatures soar and the warm wind blows, the threat of bushfires in Victoria intensifies. According to the Australian and New Zealand National Council for fire and emergency services (AFCA), there is an increased risk of fire to the southwest, west, and northwestern parts of Victoria due to a drier-than-average first half of the year. This heightened risk is exemplified by the recent bushfire in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, which was started by a lightning strike on 17 December. Over three weeks, the fire has burned more than 76,000 hectares and is now contained. The blaze began after dry…
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Stay safe around snakes this summer
Summer is in full swing across Victoria, which also means the arrival of snake season. Victoria’s snake season is typically between September and April, with sightings more common in the warmer summer months and in rural areas. Knowing what to do if you or someone has been bitten, is critical. Associate Professor Joe Rotella, Emergency Physician and Clinical Toxicologist at Northern Health, knows a thing or two about snakes, and what to do when bitten by one. “The first thing is not to panic and call for help. At the time the snakebite happens, remain still, lie down if you…
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Get to know: Glenn Ellul
#WeAreNorthern Meet Glen Ellul, Theatre Technician at Northern Health. Glenn celebrated 40 years of service at Northern Health in 2024. Q: What is your coffee order? A: I don’t drink coffee much but I like Earl Grey tea. Q: How does it feel to reach 40 years of service? A: It feels good. I have met a lot of people over the years and have made lots of friends. Q: Tell us a bit about your career from the beginning and how you ended up where you are today? A: I first started at Preston and Northcote Community Hospital (PANCH)…
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The ABCDE of Skin Cancer
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with approximately two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. Skin cancer can appear as a new mole or any existing skin lesion that is growing or changing over time. The “ABCDE” signs are a simple way to identify suspicious changes in a lesion that should be brought to the attention of your doctor. A = asymmetry (lesions becoming asymmetrical) B = border (lesions with irregular borders) C = colour (lesions with multiple colours) D = diameter (lesions growing to have…