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Weekend Edition
www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
FRIDAY, January 13, 2023
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HISTORY MAY BE LOST
LUCY’S BERRY GOOD IDEA LUCY Wilkinson loves fresh berries and she also loves to cook. As the youngest volunteer at the Wangaratta Farmers Market, 11-year-old Lucy thought it would be a good idea to come up with a couple of easy recipes kids could make using ingredients they'll be able to find at the market tomorrow, including locally grown fresh fruit. The market committee is right on board, making it the theme of the January market, believing it’s a great way to grow young people’s awareness and love of the fresh, seasonal produce grown in and around Wangaratta. ■ Further story page 15 PHOTO: Jeff Zeuschner
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$11.6M BUILD ON TRACK
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ROVERS’ BIG RECRUIT Sport
Painful decision
Limited Li i db ban on llocall GP iimpacts p h hundreds d d off p patients i on p pain i medications di i
A BAN on a local GP from prescribing certain pain suppressant medications, including opioids, has left hundreds of Wangaratta patients scrambling to find alternative doctors for treatment and medications. Last month Dr Julian Fidge was banned from
BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
dispensing Schedule 4 drugs of dependence, and Schedule 8 medications, including opioids such as
Endone, fentanyl, morphine and oxycodone. The matter stems from a patient of his who was prescribed Diazepam (drug to treat anxiety), and Oxycodone (pain relief medication). The Medical Board of Australia imposed a raft
of conditions on Dr Fidge including education in the prescribing Schedule 4 drugs of dependence or Schedule 8 medications to any person. It also gave Dr Fidge only 14 days over the Christmas period to organise complex education with a third party
as part of his conditions to regain his status. Within 28 days of completing the 12-hour education program, Dr Fidge must provide to the Australia Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) a reflective practice report.
This has to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the board, Dr Fidge has reflected on the issues that gave rise to this condition (the ban) and how he has incorporated the lessons learnt in the education into his practice. ■ Continued page 2 ■ GP appeals ban page 2
Court told victim’s finger amputated in vicious dog attack on city street - PAGE 6
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