Waitara Family Medical Practice has an on-site podiatrist available for a range of services, including:
To make an appointment with the podiatrist, please call reception on 8038 1070.
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as polio virus. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine.
Cases due to wild poliovirus have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350 000 cases then, to 33 reported cases in 2018. (WHO)
Once polio is eradicated, the world can celebrate the delivery of a major global public good that will benefit all people equally, no matter where they live.
Get invovled this October by:
For more information, visit: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day andhttps://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/poliomyelitis
World Osteoporosis Day is an initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good bone health. Osteoporosis causes bones to break easily becoming weak and fragile.
Even something like a minor fall, a bump, a sneeze, or a sudden movement could cause a break. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can cause major pain, long-term disability and life-threatening situations.
With over 1 million Australian’s affected by osteoporosis, it impacts both men and women and most commonly occurs in those over 50. Early detection is important in order to help manage bone health and prevent fractures.
To get involved this October:
For more information, visit:
http://worldosteoporosisday.org/
https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/world-osteoporosis-day
Limb Difference Awareness Week serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of people living with a hand or limb difference. The aim of this week is to promote inclusion and inspire others through the stories shared.
Limb Difference Awareness Week is hosted by the Aussie Hands Foundation, who work to provide support, information and encouragement to people born with a hand difference.
This year’s theme for Limb Difference Awareness Week is Shine a Light.
Get involved this October by:
For more information, visit: https://www.aussiehands.org/limb-difference-awareness-week/
October is National Safe Work Month—a time to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace. During October each year, workers and employers across Australia are asked to commit to safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.
Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. No job should be unsafe and no death or injury is acceptable. A safe and healthy workplace benefits everyone.
The theme for National Safe Work Month this year is
think safe. work safe. be safe.
Get involved this October by:
For more information, visit:
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month
World Mental Health Day raises awareness of mental health issues around the world and focuses on ensuring communities recognise how they can contribute to a mentally healthy society.
This year the theme is – Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on people’s mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected. And services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders have been significantly disrupted.
Get involved this October by:
For more information, visit: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2021
Cerebral Palsy is widely misunderstood despite being the most common childhood physical disability, with 17 million people across the world living with this condition. World Cerebral Palsy Day offers an opportunity to raise awareness and help communities look beyond the disability. The global goal is to ensure that children and adults with cerebral palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society.
Every 20 hours, an Australian child is born with cerebral palsy – it is the most common physical disability in childhood. (1)
Cerebral Palsy is a complex, lifelong disability that primarily affects movement – but individuals may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy and intellectual impairments. Cerebral Palsy can be mild (such as a weakness in one hand) to severe (where people have little control over movements or speech and may need 24 hour assistance).
Get involved this October by:
For more information, visit: https://worldcpday.org/
Every year, October is an opportunity to celebrate Mental Health Month in NSW. Everyone is encouraged to think about their mental health and wellbeing. It also provides an opportunity to recognise the importance of good mental health, and encourage people to seek help when they need it.
The theme of Mental Health Month is ‘Tune In’. This is aimed at encouraging everyone to be present and aware of what is happening within themselves as well as in the surroundings, in the community and understand the impact of attitudes.
It is estimated that 45% of people aged 16-85 will experience a mental disorder at some time in their life. (AIHW)
By taking a moment to ‘Tune In’, everyone can have a chance to focus their mind and gain insight about what is going on personally and for others, find new perspectives, build self-awareness and positive connections.
To get involved this October by:
For more information, visit: http://mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au/about-mental-health-month/
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the world’s number one killer, resulting in 18.6 million deaths a year. It has many causes like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and obesity.
For the 520 million people living with CVD, COVID-19 has been heartbreaking. Many have been afraid to attend routine and emergency appointments, and have become isolated from friends and family.
This year on World Heart Day, the World Heart Federation is asking the world to:
USE HEART TO CONNECT is about using your knowledge, compassion and influence to make sure you, your loved ones and the communities you’re part of have the best chance to live heart-healthy lives. It’s about connecting with our own hearts, making sure we’re fuelling and nurturing them as best we can, and using the power of digital to connect every heart, everywhere.
Get involved this September by:
For more information, visit: https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/about-whd/world-heart-day-2021/