RFS Training centre for Dubbo
Just over a week ago I joined Dubbo Regional Council Administrator Michael Kneipp and NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons to announce that a $9 million training centre will be established in Dubbo.
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This significant investment in training is great news for Dubbo and is a welcome investment which will ensure NSW RFS volunteers and staff have access to a dedicated training facility to build their skills to respond to emergencies across the state.
It will be used by volunteers and staff from across the state, allowing NSW RFS members access to a modern and purpose-built facility for training and education.
This great project will bring important jobs to Dubbo, both during construction and then operational phases of the centre.
I congratulate Dubbo Regional Council and the Rural Fire Service on this partnership and look forward to seeing the training centre rise out of the ground, construction is expected to be completed by 2020.
VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING SURVEY
As most of you would be aware I am currently surveying the community for feedback on the draft voluntary assisted dying bill.
Earlier this month I made a commitment that I would consult with the community before considering and voting on this Bill.
The survey has now been open for 3 weeks.
Everyone across the electorate has the option to complete a survey on my website www.troygrant.com.au or a hard copy can be obtained from my electorate office.
I thank everyone who has responded with the majority of those responses to date tending in favour of the bill.
I encourage everyone who hasn’t responded to do so.
The survey will remain open until the day before the bill goes before the house.
RAPID FLU DIAGNOSIS TO HELP SAVE LIVES
Flu diagnoses in NSW Hospitals will drop from four days to under four hours following the roll-out of advanced diagnostic technology, the great news is that Dubbo Hospital is one of the sites across the state to receive this vital diagnostic tool.
With rapid diagnosis, hospital clinicians can make faster triage and treatment decisions.
This is crucial given antivirals are most effective when started less than two days from onset of Influenza.
For high risk patients – such as those with cancer, diabetes, or heart disease – faster diagnosis and treatment could reduce time spent in hospital or even be life-saving.
The roll-out of rapid flu testing technology by NSW Health Pathology in public hospitals comes at a critical time.
Reports of Influenza in NSW are up 50 per cent on this time last year. In most of Australia, peak flu season usually runs from August to September.
This year NSW Health is expecting peak season to hit by the end of July.
Faster diagnosis could even help clinicians take quicker steps to prevent or control local outbreaks. Precious antibiotics increasingly under threat from resistance to bacteria could also be preserved. Patients with a negative diagnosis could avoid unnecessary treatment and be discharged earlier. This could lead to hospital beds being freed up for those in greatest need.