News Archives | Warwick Friendly Society

Jan, 2021

Covid-19 in 2021

As 2021 dawned with the hope of a post-COVID world thanks to the vaccine, a new variant strain of the virus was detected in Australia.

When it comes to tackling the virus, Queenslanders have shown that a no-nonsense approach, including locking down the borders and complying with stay-at-home orders have proven effective in limiting the reach of the virus.

We recently had a positive detection in our wastewater system, proving that the virus is still around and has been in our community recently.

Continuing with our best hygiene practices and maintaining social distancing (staying 1.5m apart) is still important in preventing the spread with the detection of COVID-19.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have visited any of the current hot spots it is Important to have a COVID-19 test at our local testing facilities.

The 2 facilities in Warwick are:

Warwick Hospital: Please call ahead on 4660 3900. Entrance via Locke Street from William Street to avoid traffic incidents on the New England Highway. Testing is available from 8am to 5pm.

Condamine Medical Centre Respiratory Clinic: Please call ahead to book on 4666 9666. Location is 67 Guy Street, Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm.

20 Years of the Warwick Friendly Society Health Centre

On Wednesday 19th August, the Warwick Friendly Society celebrated 20 years since the official opening of the Friendly Society Health Centre in Wood Street, Warwick.

Many Warwick-ites will remember the opening of the first centre which initially included the Condamine Medical Centre (CMC), Sullivan & Nicolaides Pathology, Southern Downs Dental and Warwick Physioworks.

The opening of this centre was the fulfilment of a vision by the 1990’s Board of Directors who endeavoured to bring Warwick’s medical services together in one easy to access location.

Initial meetings were held with six of Warwick’s general practitioners and several allied health professionals. After discussion it was agreed that this “umbrella” facility would be of great benefit to the Warwick community, so the Friendly Society purchased land on Wood Street and began the planning and building of the Warwick Friendly Society Health Centre.

The first tenant was the Condamine Medical Centre which was created from the amalgamation of three practices, Guy Street family Practice, Dr Ackermann’s practice and the Warwick Central Clinic.

The building was very well received and was awarded a Queensland Master Builders Award in 2001, the Condamine Medical Centre also won the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland Practice of the Year Award in 2005.

The new location was very successful for the Condamine Medical Centre, and after a few years, the Friendly Society’s neighbouring property allowed Southern Downs Dental and Physioworks to move to larger premises and CMC to expand. X-ray was also added to the list of services now provided in this precinct.

Initially the centre did not include a pharmacy, as PBS legislation did not allow it, but a new Friendly Society pharmacy opened after extensions were completed in February 2008.

The Warwick Friendly Society is a member owned, community not for profit organisation which operates two Guardian pharmacies, the Warwick Friendly Society Health Centre and other healthcare infrastructure to support the health of its members and the Warwick community. The organisation was formed in 1908.

Men’s Health Week

This Men’s Health Week, being held from 15-21 June this year, aims to provoke thought and discussion about what needs to be done to improve male health.

Suicide prevention is one focus of the week. The Australian Bureau of Statistics says that 1.5 million Australian men aged 18 and over had a self-reported mental or behavioural condition in 2014-15. The statistics are staggering, with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression, and 6 out of every 8 suicides being men.

Other men’s health facts include:

Men are at significantly higher risk of dying from liver disease.
Men are more likely to die of heart disease at an earlier age.
80% of spinal cord injuries occur in young men.
Men on average live 4.4 years less than women.
Top 3 reasons for reduced lifespan in men are cardiovascular disease, suicide, and motor accidents.

So, what can we all do about this I hear you ask? SUPPORT each other.

Headspace Warwick is a wonderful confidential service helping young people in the community aged 12-25 with their mental health and wellbeing. They will focus your care around individual needs and work with their in-house team to offer you tailored support. Please feel free to call them on 07 4661 1999

Beyond Blue’s Support Service (1300 22 4636) which is a 24/7 service, can be a great starting point if you are worried about your mate and think he might need a bit of extra support. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected millions of people around the world, both physically and mentally. Beyond Blue is a great haven to seek support.

The Warwick Men’s Shed not only passes on real life skills, but it’s a way of talking over problems with a few mates while doing something constructive.

Be sure to speak to your local GP about your concerns – they are a vital support for both your mental health and physical well being.

From all of us at the Friendlies, please support each other and spread awareness during Men’s Health week.

Community Focus- Warwick Men’s Shed

Warwick Men’s Shed are looking forward to getting back in operation this weekend after having been shut down for the past 9 weeks.

Many Warwick Men’s Shed members are in the most vulnerable age group so it was not hard to get them to see the importance of the lockdown during Covid-19.

Some were able to continue a limited amount of community projects at home and we look forward to getting back into full production in the coming weeks.

Very soon we will have the new purpose-built sheds a 29-31 Activity St. Southern Downs Regional Council have done a wonderful job to provide this great new facility for the Warwick Men’s Shed and the Warwick Woodcrafters.

We will widen the scope of work we are able to do with some fine new equipment that we have purchased through grants available over the past couple of years.

Good health is based on many factors including feeling good about yourself, being productive, contributing to your community, connecting with friends and maintaining an active body and mind.

If you look inside our shed you might see a number of men making furniture, perhaps restoring bicycles, making Mynah bird traps, fixing lawn mowers or making a cubby house for one of the community groups or schools in the area or working in our garden. The men are keen to get into the new shed where there will be a fully equipped welding shop for them to learn new skills.

You will see a comfortable area where men can sit and talk and enjoy a cup of tea. Also, in our new shed you will see an area where men can learn to cook for themselves or learn how to contact their families by computer.

Becoming a member of any of the Men’s Sheds in the district provides a safe and busy environment where men can find many of these things in an atmosphere of old-fashioned mateship.

And, importantly, there is no pressure. Men can just come and have a yarn and a cuppa if that is all they’re looking for.

Warwick Men’s Shed is an active member of the Australian Men’s Shed Association “Spanner in the Works” Men’s Health Program and in association with Local Doctors and Warwick Friendly Society regularly conducts informative discussions around Men’s Health.

For more about the Warwick Men’s Shed call 0490 170 569 or go to their webpage https://warwickmensshed.org/ or facebook.

Modified Release Paracetamol

Paracetamol Osteo (665mg) to Pharmacist Only Medicine

From 1 June 2020, in order to purchase modified release 665mg paracetamol products, like Panadol Osteo, from a pharmacy you will need to talk with a pharmacist. It is important to discuss with your healthcare provider about the best treatment options available to you for ongoing pain.

What is modified release paracetamol?

Modified release paracetamol (sometimes labelled as sustained release, slow release, extended release, or Osteo) is formulated with a higher dose of paracetamol per tablet (665 mg) compared to immediate release paracetamol at 500 mg per tablet. In modified release formulations, paracetamol is released into the body more slowly and has a more convenient 8-hourly dosing regimen compared to the immediate release products (usually taken 4-6-hourly).

This includes these medicines:

· PANADOL OSTEO

· APO-OSTEO RELIEF

· CHEMISTS OWN OSTEO RELIEF PARACETAMOL

· OSTEOMOL

· PARACETAMOL OSTEO SR

· PHARMACY ACTION PARACETAMOL OSTEO

Overdose or misuse with modified release paracetamol has significant health risks, whether intentional or accidental, has been a common occurrence in Australia and many other countries. The complex and unpredictable concentrations of the medicine in the blood of modified release paracetamol following an overdose makes it very difficult to treat in emergency situations using the standard antidote for immediate release paracetamol overdoses.

The changes mean that you will need to speak to a pharmacist to ensure the medicine is appropriate for you and will be used safely and correctly. If a pharmacist thinks that a particular medicine is not suitable for the condition, is unsafe for the person or is being misused, they may suggest another treatment, refuse the sale of a product and/or refer you to a doctor.

We are here to help.

Please visit the following site for more detailed information.

https://www.tga.gov.au/changes-way-modified-release-paracetamol-products-are-supplied-questions-and-answers#fn

Community Focus- The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse Community Centre is an emergency relief organisation operated to help Warwick’s most vulnerable community members.

Each year the Lighthouse supports around 500 at risk people in the Warwick area. They offer food distribution, emergency hampers, blankets, and domestic violence services. Their Op Shop provides inexpensive clothing as well as funding their charitable activities.

While they recently have had to curtail some of their services due to Covid-19, The Lighthouse is still providing food for pickup from their location at 37 Guy St.

Food for distribution is donated to The Lighthouse from Aldi, Woolworths, Subway and Donut King each day. Depending on the season this may also be supplemented by food purchased with their own funds if required.

The Lighthouse is able to help with emergency food supplies to those having financial difficulties during Covid-19. Current service Manager, Daphne Porter, says she is most concerned for those community members who have been unable to work or access Centrelink services and those who may have been underprepared entering self-isolation. She asks that if Friendly Society Members know of people who are struggling to let The Lighthouse know so they can help.

Recently Daphne took a call from a person who was interstate and was concerned about his Warwick friend in need who was self-isolating but had run out of supplies. Fortunately, The Lighthouse was able to provide a food hamper to assist.

The Lighthouse is an independent welfare organisation based in Warwick, near the Warwick Uniting Church. The organisation was established by Pastor Judith Kunkel as a central, one-stop-shop for people in need within the community.

For more information or to provide financial assistance: 4661 8211.

Warwick Netball

We are proudly supporting Warwick Netball!

Here at Warwick Friendly Society we are big supporters of all things health, and what better way than showing our support for the local netball scene.

Warwick Netball is looking forward to a fantastic year ahead for all four sections of our Association. JUNIOR FIXTURES We are extremely excited to welcome Juniors to our brand new state of the art courts at Barnes Park commencing Saturday 21 March. With four levels of fixtures for the juniors covering age groups 5yrs to 14yrs we have programs which ensure the players are learning, developing and increasing skills and knowledge of netball, and gaining life skills whilst enjoying their netball, teams and friendships. SENIOR FIXTURES Senior fixtures for ages 14yrs and older commenced this week. Proudly we welcomed 26 teams to our courts for the 2020 Season. This is the largest number of senior teams we have hosted in many years. With fixtures from A – D Grades we offer all levels of games from competitive A and B Grades through to social C and D Grades. REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS Nominations are currently open for the junior age representative teams. These teams compete in the Darling Downs Inter District 5 day competition of which Warwick Netball will host Day 2 on March 29. The teams also compete at other one day carnivals in the south east corner of Queensland. MIXED FIXTURES From September to December every year we round out our fixture year with a short sharp and most enjoyable Mixed netball fixture for 14 years and older players. This is always a very enjoyable and fun fixture which brings many new faces to our courts. This year the Mixed fixture will be played at our new Barnes Park courts under lights on Monday & Tuesday nights. We anticipate continuing this year with the great success from last year with maximum team numbers achieved again. For further information about any fixture with Warwick Netball please get in touch via facebook.

Member Feedback Survey Results

What did we learn from our Member Survey?

For one thing, our Member Discount is very popular, it was the number one reason members joined the Society along with supporting the Warwick Community and the Friendlies as a community owned organisation.

When asked about Member Benefits, 81% of members health screening & education (hearing, blood pressure, sleep apnoea, bone density, mobility aids) were important member benefits to them – keep an eye on this email as we increase our services to you.

Of your store visits, Palmerin St came out on top with customer service with 100% Good to Excellent ratings, and Wood St was seen to have a 97% Good to Excellent rating on its location. Parking and wait times are areas you have identified we work on.

What local media do our members use?

The free newspapers were most popular, with the Warwick Daily News’ free edition being read by almost 70% of our membership in the prior week. Of radio, Rose City FM was most popular 27% of members listened in the prior week, attracting almost twice as many members as CFM and almost three times as many as 4WK.

Here are a selection of the comments from our wonderful members:

Extremely happy with the customer service!
Staff are always so helpful, courteous and friendly.
Staff are always friendly and helpful
Hard to get a park with the bus stop so close.

Wish other places frequented for service were as professional, efficient and friendly as here.
For the amount of people that visit this practice there should be a lot more and bigger parking bays. Otherwise excellent.
Good service, fairly clean, good opening hours

WFS is one of my favourite destinations to visit for my Pharmacy/ other needs. Staff are always friendly, helpful and respectful. It is a pleasure to do business with WFS. Nothing more to be said, if interviewed.
More communication between the 2 stores
I enjoy going to the chemist as it is very friendly
All doing a good job

Whooping Cough & MMR

Our pharmacists have been working and studying hard to be able to provide as much care to our members as possible, and now that we have multiple pharmacists able to vaccinate we thought now would be a good time to talk about the immunisations that we can provide.

For a small administration fee plus the cost of the medicine it has never been easier to safeguard your family against these preventable diseases.

Whooping Cough

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease.

Symptoms that include fever and long periods of coughing that sound like a ‘whoop’.

Whooping cough can affect people of all ages, but it is more serious for babies. Babies have the highest risk of serious disease. They are more likely to need to go to hospital or die from whooping cough. About one in every 200 babies under 6 months old who get whooping cough dies from pneumonia or brain damage.

Whooping cough can be prevented by immunisation.

Measles, Mumps & Rubella

Immunisation is the best protection against measles, mumps & rubella.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine helps protect you against the following diseases:

Measles – causes a cough, high fever, rash, ear infection, conjunctivitis and swelling of the brain

Mumps – causes fever, headache, tiredness, and swelling of the salivary glands, ovaries or testicles

Rubella (German measles) – causes a rash and swollen glands, but infection in pregnancy can result in the baby being born with severe disabilities.

Christmas Member Offers

This year we are teaming up with local business’ who are offering our financial members a little early Christmas gift.

Upon presentation of a Friendly Society membership card these business’ will extend a discount on their selected items.

These offers are at the discretion of each business and can be changed at any time due to trading conditions.

(If you have lost your membership card – pop in to our stores at Wood or Palmerin St to get a new one.)

Workin’ Wear Warwick is in the festive mood this season and offering 10% off of all purchases.

Excludes sale items and Mongrel Boots.

Offer valid until December 23rd.

Stephanie’s is supporting a healthy and active holiday season by offering Society Members 15% off all active wear purchases, including sports bras, crop tops and leggings. Take advantage of our complimentary professional fitting service to ensure comfort and support. Offer valid to December 24th.

Style Shoes is offering 10% off of all full priced items this holiday season.

Excludes any sale or already discounted items.

Offer valid until December 31st.

Warwick Watchmakers + Jewellers are offering 10% off store wide to help you find that perfect Christmas gift.

Excludes Re-orders, repairs & already discounted items.

Offer valid until December 31st.