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Volunteers Care

Support is on hand when you need it

You’ve received a call back to BreastScreen Ipswich Service and you are fearing the worst. Wondering what chemotherapy is like and how long you might have to endure it for and all of a sudden you’ve talked your way into a diagnosis. You are spiralling understandably and look up from your magazine for some support. You’ve got it in the Ipswich Hospital Foundation Volunteers. The support team is at the Ipswich Service every Thursday to lend a caring ear for patients who have been called back for second appointments.

Glenda and Lorraine of the IHF Volunteer team have been working with the service for over a year now.

“We love being here to support the women and the service, listening to their stories and help them through a moment in their life that sometimes isn’t so pleasant,” they said.

“Volunteering really is so satisfying and varied and it is a privilege to be with the women during this process – we’ve made a lot of friends!

BreastScreen Queensland – Ipswich Service Nurse Unit Manager Nicola Godfrey said Glenda and Lorraine were a wonderful addition to the BreastScreen team.

“Glenda and Lorraine provide invaluable support and assistance to the West Moreton women who attend an assessment clinic, from welcoming women, making cups of tea or coffee and chatting with anxious clients to pushing babies around in strollers.

“They are ambassadors for our BreastScreen service, promoting our service to friends, family, other volunteers and the wider West Moreton community. They also prepare health promotion materials for distribution to the community which is of huge assistance to our team.”

BreastScreen Queensland – Ipswich Service operates both a fixed Ipswich service site at the Community Health Plaza, Bell St and mobile van services to make appointments accessible to West Moreton women, including those living in rural and regional areas.

Ms Godfrey encouraged women to prioritise their health in 2019.

“Looking after your health is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones,” Ms Godfrey said.

“I encourage women over 40, particularly those aged 50 to 74 who are considered most at risk, to prioritise their health and have their routine, free screening mammogram every two years. No referral is required.

“A breast screen takes only 30 minutes.”

The mobile van will be at the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre, 1483 Brisbane Valley Highway Fernvale, from 31 January to 26 February.

Appointment availability ranges from 6.45am – 5pm (Monday to Friday) and some Saturdays. To book phone 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au

Ride to Work Day

Date: Wednesday 27^th March

 Location: Darcy Doyle Place Ipswich

Cost: Free

Ride to Work Day encourages the community to ditch their cars and ride to work!  Ride to work via Darcy Doyle Place and enjoy a post ride celebration breakfast of fresh fruit and coffee with fellow cyclists.

Ipswich BMX Friday Fun Night

Date: Friday 29^th March

Location: Willey Park, Ipswich

5^th Friday of the month means Ipswich BMX Fun Night!  Open to all licensed riders.

Recruitment 24/7 Ipswich100

Date: Sunday 31^st March

Location: USQ Ipswich

Cost: $5 – $100

The Recruitment 24/7 Ipswich100 Bike Ride on Sunday 31^st March 2019 offers 100 miles, 100km, 50km, 25km and 5km courses, for experienced riders (100 miles) to families with children (Kids Caper).  This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the ride run by the Moggill Mt Crosby Lions Club which has raised more than $1 million funding supporting local charity and community needs.

Change is in the air! Ipswich Hospital Foundation Fit4Life Activities are enjoying some changes in 2019. Adjustments to classes, membership and venues will reward current IHF members and casual attendees for their loyalty and enhance the Fit4Life experience.

Stay tuned to the IHF Fit4Life Fitness Activities group for the detailed changes as they happen. Your trainers will also be a great source of information!

What do things look like from Monday 4th February: 

• IHF Fit4Life classes are now $7 per session for casual attendees. Walking groups will remain unchanged at $2
• Monday Circuit will no longer be offered on the IHF Fit4Life timetable
• Membership will be increased to $21.00 per fortnight
• Introduction of IHF loyalty card for casual attendees (6^th session free)

Gift Wrapping

IHF Volunteers Gift Wrapping to better health!

Over the 2018 Christmas period IHF Volunteers prepared beautifully wrapped gifts at Redbank Plaza Shopping Centre so shoppers could shop longer and rest easy at Christmas!

Ipswich Hospital Foundation Fundraising Coordinator Katherine Wyman said the partnership with Redbank Plaza is so valuable to IHF.

“Thanks to Redbank Plaza Shopping Centre for their support presenting the gift wrapping station, they supply the beautiful paper, ribbons and the space!

“The funds raised represent a great success with over $3500 received thanks to gift wrapping donations from shoppers.

“Our wonderful volunteers contributed a total of 276 hours performed by 46 volunteers. Champions!

“I’d also like to acknowledge Quest Apartments Ipswich for offering their lovely space to host our gift wrap tutorial ahead of the gift wrapping service,” she said.

The IHF Sun Protection 4Health Program will benefit from the funds raised, ensuring IHF can supply more sunscreen to the community through local schools, pools and community events.

Take a step forward with ‘My Health Record’

If you had to describe Bill Hardy’s passions, they would be fitness, health and travel.

After retiring, the 70-year-old now runs over 50s fitness classes after completing a Diploma of Fitness five-years ago.

“I have always been interested in health, which is why I started training mature aged men and women in strength and conditioning. It’s so important that as people get older, they keep active and look after their health.”

Bill’s passion for health extends to his My Health Record, where he keeps a summary of his health information securely online and can choose which medical professionals can see it.

“I think My Health Record is a great step forward in healthcare, making it easier for people to keep track of their key health information,” Bill said.

“I recently had my whooping cough and tetanus immunisations so I could visit some friends and their young baby in Melbourne. This information will go on My Health Record, so I know when my immunisations are due as they can be hard to remember.

“I can go to a doctor or hospital at any time, anywhere and they will know my health problems and what medications I am taking, which makes the whole process easier,” Bill said.

My Health Record brings together health information such as medical conditions, medicines, allergies and test results which can be viewed securely online. It can also contain your immunisation history, whether you choose to be an organ donor, and you can include your Advanced Care Plan.

It’s your choice about which medical professional can see your My Health Record, and what information you wish to share with the healthcare providers involved in your care. Some key things to remember about My Health Record:

• Your important healthcare information is available online, and easily accessible by you, your doctors, specialists or hospitals.
• When moving interstate or travelling, the information can be viewed securely online.
• In emergency situations, treating doctors can view information such as current medications.
• You don’t need to remember the dates of tests, medicine names or dosages.
• Because healthcare providers have access to clinical information prepared and shared by other health professionals, they may have a more detailed picture with which to make clinical decisions, diagnose and provide treatment.

By the end of 2018, a My Health Record will be created for every Australian, unless they choose not to have one. If people choose not to have a My Health Record, they will be able to opt out during a three-month period starting on Monday 16 July and ending on October 15 2018.

For more information visit: MyHealthRecord.gov.au or contact the Helpline on 1800 723 471.

Ipswich Hospital Foundation Park2Park results for 2018 are in. Brand new features, including stadium seating, healthy food options, GPS tracking and enhanced stage zone, were hard to miss at this year’s Park2Park, presented by University of Southern Qld.

Ipswich Hospital Foundation Board Chair Neil Harding thanked volunteers, sponsors, service providers and the participants for helping make the event a success.

“The enhanced event is made possible thanks to our wonderful sponsors USQ, City of Ipswich, Walker Pender Group, Catalyst Church and the Bendigo Bank.”

“Roughly 2000 competitors walked and ran their way to better health today. Myself and the organising committee would like to thank you all for making the effort! As for the elite athletes there certainly were some close calls across the line and superior shows of athleticism!

“Importantly the funds raised will go to benefit West Moreton Health for their work in the digital hospital and research space, together we are becoming the healthiest community in Australia.”

Next year’s Park2Park will return on Sunday 28th July.

Park2Park Results

City of Ipswich Half Marathon Male
Glen Yarham 1:13:31
Brendan Press 1:15:16
Andrew Dey 1:15:47

City of Ipswich Half Marathon Female
Alex Blake 1:25:56
Solveig Litchfield 1:32:03
Taryn Axelsen 1:33:42

University of Southern Qld 10KM Male
Jack Anstey 00:33.48
Damon Bruce 00:35:32
Clay Dawson 00:36:01

University of Southern Qld 10KM Female
Tamara Carvolth 00:37:04
Sara Parkinson 00:40:50
Anna Mayr 00:44:24

University of Southern Qld 5KM Male
Jude Thomas 00:16:09
Peter Bracken 00:16:18
Allen Dennis 00:16:24

University of Southern Qld 5KM Female
Amelia Partrige 00:20:07
Paige O’Connor 00:20:27
Kirsten O’Connor 00:20:31

Regional Youth Mental Health Forum 2018

More than 300 West Moreton youth came together on Thursday 26th July to talk it up about mental health to reduce the stigma around the important topic.

Ipswich Hospital Foundation is proud to have funded the ‘Talkin’ it Up’ Regional Youth Mental Health Forum 2018. IHF CEO Phillip Bell said the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the region is worth prioritising.

“We know we can make a very positive difference by working with West Moreton Health and our other partners to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and to provide a great day of entertainment and information for local young people,” Mr Bell said.

Students and other young people learned and talked about mental health wellness at a series of interactive workshops.

A keynote presentation was delivered by Livin’ co-founders Sam Webb and Casey Lyons, who have championed the “it ain’t weak to speak” message to make sure young people with mental health issues do not suffer in silence.

If you are struggling and need support or advice contact Headspace Ipswich 07 3280 7900, headspace.ipswich@aftercare.com.au or drop in 26 East St, Ipswich.

Other avenues for help include: Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, and Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800.