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June 10-16, 2021 Dubbo Photo News
HEALTH
COUNCIL WATCH
Sharps disposal available across the city BY NATALIE LEWIS
THE Western NSW Local Health District has confirmed there is still a sharps disposal unit available at the Dubbo Community Health Centre in Palmer St, despite a reader’s recent comments regarding this service. The reader contacted Dubbo Photo News to give a “Thumbs down to the Dubbo Diabetic Centre which is preventing convenient pick up of sharps containers from the community centre on Palmer Street in South Dubbo and expecting us to navigate the hospital traffic for a service once available in our community”. However, a WNSWLHD spokesperson said the NSW Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) has three disposal units in Dubbo with access for all sharps users. The units are located at the hospital, the Palmer St clinic (both available 24 hours) and Dubbo Sexual Health in Brisbane St (available weekdays). “All authorised NSPs also provide disposal services for used community-generated sharps,” the spokesperson said. “NSP outlets are approved throughout NSW Health. Individuals can access information regarding sharps disposal bins in their local area by accessing the safe sharps website, www. safesharps.org.au.” The spokesperson said that if residents find needles in public
Council says smarten up, Dubbo! WE need to smarten up our act, according to Dubbo Regional Council, which is in the process of developing a dedicated Smart City Strategy in 2021 and is aiming to make the region an even better place to live, work, visit and invest. The strategy aims to use technology to make the community more liveable, sustainable and productive, and council wants to deliver more efficient and effective services that use technology and data to better understand and serve the Dubbo community. Council says this is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our region, and invites community members to learn more by visiting www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/ smartcities.
There is still a sharps disposal unit available at the Dubbo Community Health Centre in Palmer St. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/KEN SMITH
places, they should not attempt to dispose of them. “While all efforts are made to educate clients regarding appropriate disposal of sharps, we rely on each individual to do the right thing.” Instead, the first point of contact is the NSW Needle Clean-Up Hotline via 1800 633 353.
Dubbo sharps disposal locations: z Dubbo Hospital Myall Street 02 6885 8666 Available 24 hours - Coin operated machine - Disposal bin
z Dubbo Primary and Community Health 2 Palmer Street 02 6885 8999 Available 24 hours - Free machine - Disposal bin
z Dubbo Sexual Health 203 Brisbane Street 02 6809 7300 Monday-Friday - Internal dispensing chute - Disposal bin
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