8 minute read
Physio & Health - Aaron Hardaker
by Focus
focus_contributor.
Sick Of The Dieting Merry-GoRound? Help is Here!
with AARON HARDAKER
Why do we struggle to maintain a diet? Or make long term changes that are actually good for us? What if eating well was far more simple than it’s made out to you in the media… to fi nd true health in an age of confusion. Aaron Hardaker, Principal Physiotherapist at Mid North Coast Physio, caught up with their newest member of the team, Dietitian Anna Hicks to discuss. Anna, why do we struggle so much with eating well? There is a constant dichotomy of “this food equals this health”, and “this food prevents this disease” etc. I think the internet is a wonderful resource, but with so much available information out there, it can be very overwhelming and downright misleading. We live in an age where the media and food industry try to sensationalise or exaggerate health and nutrition. This has led to people constantly seeking the latest and greatest food trend or diet that promises the world but leaves you confused and feeling worse.
So how do I decipher the media’s headlines around health?
I think to an extent we have been trained to stop listening to our own body cues and everything the body is trying to tell us. We ignore our appetites, our emotions, energy, and stress levels and then look externally for the answer. Always ask yourself if you’re looking at changing something in your lifestyle: ‘could I keep doing this for the rest of my life’? If the answer is no, then you need help to fi nd a different option to meet your goals.
So how can a Dietitian help?
The reality is when it comes to food and nutrition, there are many diverse ways of eating as you can see if you travel around the world. A healthy diet doesn’t have to include expensive supplements, restrictive calories, cutting out carbohydrates or other food groups and hours at the gym.
We all need encouragement and accountability to others and dietitians are able to use their scientifi c education and training plus provide you with the support, guidance, coaching and accountability that you need to go from knowing what you should be doing to actually following through and doing what it is you
Always ask want to achieve with your yourself if health. you’re looking at The take home message changing something must be, to spend the time in your lifestyle: fi nding someone who can ‘could I keep doing teach you to create an this for the rest of eating style that you can do my life’? each day for your life and helps you fi nd what works for you.
Thanks Anna. If you’ve struggled with eating well or don’t know what works for you, MNC Physio is offering 5 FREE pre-assessments with Anna to discuss your needs and fi nd out how she can help. Call 1300 27 37 47 and mention this article to secure your spot now.
Lisa
SLATER
COFFS HARBOUR VACCINATION CLINIC
When she became a nurse When she became a nurse more than three decades ago, more than three decades ago, Lisa Slater could never have Lisa Slater could never have imagined she would one day imagined she would one day be at the frontline of the local be at the frontline of the response to a global pandemic. local response to a global Lisa’s work today is far different pandemic. Lisa’s work today than the rest of her career but it’s is far di erent than the rest every bit as rewarding. of her career but it’s every bit as rewarding.
What is your role at the Coffs Harbour Vaccination Clinic?
I am a Nurse Manager for the Mid North Coast Local Health District’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program and I have helped coordinate the establishment of our vaccination clinics.
Tell us about your nursing career. What were you doing before your current role?
I guess you could say a career in health was always on the cards for me. My dad Dr Graham Mayze was a local GP in the Nambucca Valley for 40 years and my mum Gail was a registered nurse who worked with renowned eye surgeon Fred Hollows and eventually became the manager at Dad’s practice in town.
I’m the oldest of four children and I pretty much grew up looking out for my brother and sisters on our farm; there was always someone who needed their big sister to patch them up.
Nursing has been such a rewarding career and I have been lucky enough to work across many parts of the profession. In recent years, I’ve been working in Deputy Director of Nursing roles at Bellingen and Macksville hospitals.
When the pandemic hit, I knew the skills I had developed over many years would allow me to make a valuable contribution to our COVID-19 response.
What do you enjoy most about nursing?
The avenues of nursing are so varied – you can work anywhere from community health or an operating theatre, to a doctor’s surgery or setting up vaccination or testing clinics.
Nursing also offers great flexibility which can help you achieve a work/life balance – except in the middle of a pandemic when it is often all hands on deck.
One of the aspects of nursing I really love is service development. It’s all about enhancing our health services to meet the growing needs of our community.
In this new COVID environment, our focus has shifted to being more agile – setting up testing clinics at very short notice, scaling up our operations when there’s a sudden need to do so, and responding to rapidly changing situations.
How busy has the Coffs Harbour Vaccination Clinic been since it opened?
We have been vaccinating healthcare workers, priority groups and eligible members of the public since March this year as part of the national COVID-19 vaccination program.
It has been an exceptionally busy time as we have endeavoured to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
Although the GP and pharmacy sectors
have administered the majority of COVID-19 vaccines, we have been vaccinating people day in, day out (including weekends) and our staff have been absolutely amazing every step of the way.
We have recently relocated our local vaccination clinic to C.ex Coffs which is an excellent venue, not just because it’s centrally located and accessible, but also because it allows us to expand our capacity as vaccine supply increases.
Can you tell us about the team that has been involved in getting the clinic up and running?
The teams who have been involved in getting our COVID-19 vaccination clinics and testing clinics are absolutely fantastic. There are so many things that have to be considered and our staff just get in and get the job done.
From infection control and medical considerations, to administration and information technology, there is so much to be done to establish these services, but our team is incredibly talented and very adept at working together toward our common goal.
For every one of us it’s about caring for, and protecting, our community. When we say “We’re all in this together” we truly mean it.
How can people access COVID-19 vaccination?
Visiting the Australian Government’s Eligibility Checker is the easiest way to make an appointment at one of our vaccination clinics. We have NSW Health Vaccination Clinics located at Coffs Harbour, Kempsey and Port Macquarie. After answering some questions you will be advised if you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination and then you will be able to book an appointment at your nearest vaccination clinic. Appointments at local GP clinics and pharmacies can also be booked via the Eligibility Checker or by contacting them directly.
Can you talk readers through what the process is like on the day of their vaccination?
You will receive a reminder text from NSW Health before your appointment and on the day you will find the process is very smooth.
You should arrive at the clinic 15 minutes before your appointment with photo ID and your Medicare card. Our staff will confirm your personal details and ask you some questions and before you know it, one of our nurses will be collecting you ready for your jab. We will also ask you about your medical history and, if need be, you can have a chat with our on-site doctor.
What are some common questions, concerns or misconceptions people have
People who had about the COVID-19 vaccinations? come to our COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective clinics have already and there is a lot of valuable information on made the decision to both the Australian Government and NSW be vaccinated and Government websites about it. If you have they are very happy to share their motivation for any concerns at all about vaccination, we would encourage you to talk to your doctor. People who come to our clinics have already made the decision to be vaccinated ge ing vaccinated. and they are very happy to share their motivation for getting vaccinated. Some of these stories range from wanting to see their family interstate to travel overseas again. People tell us they know vaccination will help save lives and they want to do all they can to protect not just themselves but also their family and community. We never get tired of hearing that! Our staff just love sharing the great sense of achievement, and relief, that people feel when they walk out saying they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
