‘Cuppa and Connect’ program in Boggabri

Women’s health was the topic of a Healthwise ‘Cuppa and Connect’ program in Boggabri.

Women were invited to come together for a complimentary cuppa, cake and to reconnect after the extensive period of cancellations and postponements of programs and information sessions because of COVID-19.

Primary health care nurse for HealthWISE in Narrabri, Carla Twigg, organised the session after the group received funding for health education focusing on towns of less than 2000 people.

The team also provides health checks at local events to facilitate early intervention and treatment of issues that may not have been picked up if people don’t often visit the doctor.

Speakers included, Alvin Hill, Community Health nurse – continence and diabetic educator.

Mrs Hill gave a very informative and in depth talk on looking after your bladder and pelvic floor.

She explained some exercises that are very important to practice each day and that it is never too late to do them.

There were numerous comments that people didn’t realise how important it was to drink lots of water.

Back, Jennifer Grover, Bernadette Elliott, Jeanette Thomas, Marian Baker, Anne Keys, Heather Gardoll, Jan Donaldson, Margaret Jones, Letitia Cross, Shaen Fraser, front, Catharina Du Plessis, Carla Twigg, Julie Hadgett, Margaret Ryan, Louise Palmer and Margaret Stoltenberg.

Shaen Fraser from the Cancer Council spoke on the services that the Cancer Council provides and importantly she reminded everyone that the national bowel screening program is currently being conducted.

Bowel cancel screening is recommended every two years for eligible people from 50 to 74 years of age.

The Cancer Council estimates that the program prevents more than 2500 deaths from bowel cancer each year.

Ms Fraser also highlighted the massive number of kilometres the four cars have travelled in the region in the past few months transporting cancer patients to appointments and or treatment.

Rural Adversity mental health program coordinator, Letitia Cross presented an in-depth and thought-provoking session on mental health. She also had a humorous take on pelvic floor exercises which had everyone taking notice.

Mrs Cross demonstrated with a cup and water, how issues affecting our mental health can affect us and highlighted ways of knowing when our cup is too full and what we can do to look after ourselves.

Gay McDonald could not stay for the full session, however, she introduced herself and explained her role in dealing with chronic disease.

At the end of the presentations there was ample time for people to speak with the presenters and ask their personal questions or to have their blood pressure and blood sugar levels monitored by Catharina Du Plessis.

Ms Trigg said they are looking forward to providing health topics at community events and especially for men if the males in the region are keen to attend.