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Tasmania | Two people treated for hypothermia after marine rescue at East Kangaroo Island

Posted by on Feb 7, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

SW of Whitemark | 7 Feb 2012

The Police Westpac Rescue Helicopter responded to a report of a boat that had run aground on the Northern point of East Kangaroo Island(SW of Whitemark). 

The couple on board had activated their EPRIB to request assistance when their vessel ran into difficulty.  AUSSAR maintained contact with the couple via SATphone while the helicopter and rescue personnel were despatched.

The couple were safely retrieved from the stricken vessel and transported to Whitemark medical centre suffering mild hypothermia.

The male and female are both 66 years and they were holidaying from Victoria.  The vessel is a yacht, approximately 40′ and it is well equipped with all of the necessary safety equipment.

High winds and large waves prevented the salvage of the vessel.

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Tasmania | Two men injured, one critically, in high-impact RTC in Mowbray

Posted by on Feb 6, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

East Tamar Highway | 6 Feb 2012

At approximately 1.18am on Monday 6th February 2012, a silver 1998 model Nissan Wagon, has been travelling south on the East Tamar Highway, just south of the Newnham Connector, below the Maritime College.

The vehicle has left the road on the eastern side and impacted with 3 gum trees, knocking two of the trees out of the ground.

Two male occupants in the vehicle were conveyed to Launceston General Hospital.  One of these males a 30 year old from Waverleyis in a critical condition. The other male, aged 29 of Launceston had non life threatening injuries.

Police enquiries are continuing into this crash.

Any witnesses who may have seen the crash or the vehicle in the area prior to the crash are asked to contact Northern Crash Investigation or Crime Stoppers on  1800 333 000.

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Tasmania | 90-year-old man seriously injured in farming incident in South Nietta

Posted by on Feb 3, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

South Nietta | 3 Feb 2012

At 1930 hrs on the 2 Feb 2012, members from the Ulverstone Police station attended a property on South Nietta Road, South Nietta, in relation to a farming accident where a 90 yr old male was trapped beneath his tractor.

The male had been trapped under the tractor for several hours before being located by a member of his family, where upon they called for Police and Ambulance assistance. Members from the surrounding State Emergency Service and Tasmania Fire Service also attended the scene to assist with lighting and heavy lift equipment.

The male was extracted from under the tractor and was stabilised at the scene by Ambulance personnel, however due to the nature of his injuries the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched with specialist medical staff on board and he was flown to the Launceston General Hospital for further medical treatment.

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Tasmania | Tularaemia surveillance continues

Posted by on Feb 3, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

TAS | 3 Feb 2012

Tasmanians are reminded of general precautions to protect themselves from animal and tick-borne disease.
Health, biomedical and wildlife experts continue to gather intelligence on how Tularaemia may behave in the southern hemisphere, after the first two probable human cases were notified in Tasmania last year.
Deputy Director of Public Health Chrissie Pickin said public health experts remain vigilant for any new cases, and are retrospectively assessing a case of a person who became ill after a tick bite on the West Coast in 2010.
“Through routine surveillance of communicable diseases, we have investigated a small number of suspected cases. We have not identified any historical or further current cases that were definitely acquired in Tasmania,” she said.
“The case we are currently looking into was originally attributed to another tick-borne disease, but further testing in late 2011 raised the possibility of Tularaemia.
“While the illness was not typical of Tularaemia and the initial test results were not conclusive, we have sent further samples to an overseas laboratory in order to fully investigate.
“We know from overseas experiences that Tularaemia is rare in both animals and humans, and only occurs sporadically and unpredictably.”
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Veterinary Officer Mary Lou Conway said experts have tested more than 40 wildlife samples.
“The overseas experience is that Tularaemia can be difficult to confirm in animal populations as it only ever exists in a small proportion of animals,” she said.
“Results to date have been negative. We did not find any visible signs of illness suggestive of Tularaemia among the animal populations in the remote, rugged area between Zeehan and Queenstown, during our wildlife survey.
“We are still waiting on some test results, and collecting more samples through other avenues as part of ongoing statewide surveillance for animal diseases.
“But it is still important for all Tasmanians to take precautions when they are handling wild animals, or going bushwalking or hunting, because animals and ticks can carry a range of disease-causing germs.”
Precautionary health advice remains in place:
  • Do not handle wild animals. If you must, wear long sleeves and gloves, and wash your hands afterwards.
  • If you are going bushwalking or camping, wear insect repellent and long pants and sleeves.
  • Remove any ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.
For more information, go to www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/peh
To report a suspected human infection of Tularaemia, call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
To report a sick wild animal, call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
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Tasmania | Professor Allan Carmichael has passed away

Posted by on Feb 1, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

TAS | 1 Feb 2012

This week has seen the passing of well-respected clinician and academic, Professor Allan Carmichael.

Prof Carmichael, former head of the University of Tasmania’s School of Medicine and Dean of Health Science, has made a great and lasting contribution to the Tasmanian health system as a clinician and academic.

Prof Carmichael became Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, and a senior consultant in the Department of Paediatrics at the Royal Hobart Hospital in 1992.

As state advisor in Child Health Services and through the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation he helped develop policies and services that greatly benefit Tasmanian children.

In 1997 he was appointed to the leadership positions he occupied until his retirement a few months ago.

During his tenure, the University’s rural health programs expanded to Launceston and Burnie, teaching of nursing expanded and strengthened, and new courses were developed for paramedics and pharmacists.

Prof Carmichael was respected in Australia and internationally for his work in child health. This was reflected in his 2007 Medal of the Order of Australia for services to medicine as an educator and administrator.

Last December, Prof Carmichael was granted an Honorary Degree. The citation referred to his compassion, humanity and outstanding professional skills – it spoke of him as a quiet and dignified man much loved by his colleagues.

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Tasmania | Support for campaign to help heal wounds quicker

Posted by on Jan 30, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

TAS | 30 Jan 2012

The Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne, today gave her support to a campaign highlighting the struggle some Australians have in accessing important wound healing treatment.

Ms O’Byrne met with the President of the Australian Wound Management Association, Dr Bill McGuiness, in Hobart today and was briefed on the significant burden wounds place on both an individual and the health system overall.
“Wounds can take several months and in some severe cases years to heal. Up to 70 per cent of the Department of Health’s community nursing time is spent on wound care and it’s the second most frequently billed item in general practice,” she said.
“This has huge implications for the health system, particularly so in Tasmania which has an ageing population – a group which commonly suffers from lower leg ulcerations.”
The Australian Wound Management Association is calling on the Commonwealth Government to encourage best practice in wound management by subsidising compression bandages and stockings.
As lower leg ulcers mainly affect the elderly, many patients are unable to afford the treatment which significantly aids in healing.
Ms O’Byrne said that she would join in efforts to lobby the Commonwealth Government to make the treatment more affordable.
“People with multiple medical problems, like many Tasmanians, find it difficult for their wounds to heal.
“They end up in the treatment line at GPs, community nursing clinics and even at hospitals, all which has a flow on effect for our health system in general.
“We want Tasmanians to have a speedy recovery from whatever medical condition they are suffering from and if compression bandages help in that process we need to do what we can to make them easier to access,” Ms O’Byrne said.
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Tasmania | Man seriously injured in tractor incident with entrapment

Posted by on Jan 25, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

Halls Road, Bagdad | 25 Jan 2012

A 56 year old man from Halls Road, Badgad was seriously injured in a tractor incident earlier this evening.  At approximately 7pm the man was releasing a ‘carry-on’ from the rear of his tractor when the tractor rolled forward pinning him underneath the vehicle tyre.

Preliminary investigations have determined the man was standing in front of the rear tyre of the tractor and has leant across the vehicle to release the ‘carry-on’.  At this time the tractor has rolled forward, pinning the man under the tractor tyre and coming to rest on his chest.

The man was found by his 26 year old son a short time later.  The son was able to move the tractor away from his father and with the assistance of a neighbour rendered first aid.  The man was conveyed to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

An investigation relating to the circumstances surrounding this accident has commenced.  At this time there are no suspicious circumstances.

No names have been released at this time at the request of the family.

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Tasmania | Three people injured, one critically, in high-impact RTC in Devonport

Posted by on Jan 24, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

Don Road | 23 Jan 2012

At 1.56pm Monday 23/1/2012 a two vehicle head on collision occurred on Don Road, a short distance uphill from the Gateway Church.

At this stage it appears that for unknown reasons a blue Toyota hatch which had been travelling uphill has crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with a red Ford sedan travelling in the opposite direction.

As a result of the collision, the 66 year old female driver and sole occupant of the Toyota was conveyed to the North West Regional Hospital in a critical condition. The driver of the Ford, a 58 year old man and a 23 year old male passenger both from Ulverstone were also transported to hospital with minor injuries.

Don Road was closed to all traffic which was diverted around the scene. Police from Forensic Services, Crash Investigation and Devonport Uniform attended the scene along with local fire rescue units.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have observed either vehicle prior to the collision or the collision itself to contact the Crash Investigation Section at the Burnie Police Station or call 131 444.

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Tasmania | Paramedics’ service recognized with awards

Posted by on Jan 19, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

Hobart | 19 Jan 2012

The dedicated paramedic support Tasmanians enjoy was recognised today when 15 Ambulance Tasmania officers were awarded National Medals or Clasps for their outstanding community service.
Ambulance Tasmania CEO Dominic Morgan ASM said each of the volunteer and salaried officers had earned the respect of their workmates and Tasmanians for their dedication to the challenging work of Ambulance Tasmania.
“Paramedics, like other emergency workers, do not seek to place their lives at risk, but it is this that stands them apart from the rest of the community and makes their actions worthy of special recognition,” Mr Morgan said.
“These officers have all provided long service in a profession that sometimes places them at personal risk, and their decision to accept that risk every working day is definitely not for everyone.”
The NationalMedal – part of the Australian system of honours and awards – is awarded for 15 years of service in organisations such as Ambulance, Police, Fire and SES whose staff help the community in times of crisis at some risk to themselves.
A clasp is awarded for each additional 10 years of service.
Anton Bartulovic is one of the ambulance officers who received a National Medal today.
Anton, an intensive care paramedic who qualified for his award in 2008, joined the Ambulance service on the mainland before starting work with Ambulance Tasmania 14 years ago.
Anton is a qualified intensive care, rescue and flight paramedic, and has worked at most ambulance stations around the state.
He worked on the state’s air ambulance for three years as well as nationally and internationally while based in Tasmania. Anton is in his 19th year of service.
Mr Morgan said all Ambulance Tasmania officers quietly strived to make a positive difference to the lives of Tasmanians in their hour of need.
“Today is an opportunity for Ambulance Tasmania and the community to acknowledge those special individuals whose lives are dedicated to helping others,” Mr Morgan said.
Meanwhile, an independent survey released late last year found 99 per cent of Tasmanians were very satisfied with Ambulance Tasmania paramedic care.
Ambulance Tasmania staff made 73,500 medical responses in 2010-2011.
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Tasmania | Several people injured after house fire in South Launceston

Posted by on Jan 19, 2012 in Australia, Tasmania

Howick Street, South Launceston | 18 Jan 2012

At about 2.30pm this afternoon, a South Launceston family of eight were alerted to a fire in a bedroom by a smoke alarm.

They called 000 and reported the fire resulting in 2 fire trucks from Launceston Fire Brigade responding, Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Fire damage was limited to the bedroom but smoke has entered most of the house.

Ambulance Tasmania Paramedics treated several of the occupants taking them to the LGH for further treatment.

Tasmania Police were also required to control the traffic closing the street for a short period to provide a safe area for the Ambulance and fire crews to work.

Aurora crews disconnected the power to assist fire fighting operations and will check that it is safe prior to reconnection

The Tasmania Fire Service is currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Incident Controller Rick Mahnken said “An incident like this highlights the value of having a working smoke detector fitted, without it the outcome for the family could have been much worse.”

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