Focus on health day

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 441, 23 June 1992, Page 2

Focus on health day

BY

JAN

SAVELL

Saturday 13 June was Focus on Health day for Waiouru. Early childhood groups joined together to present a programme of ' discussion and lectures by community experts. Lynne McLennan from Weir Terrace Kindergarten co-ordinated the day with Te Kohanga Reo

providing thje venue. Thirty-five locals dropped in to take advantage of the expertise of the assembled health workers. Community Social Worker Denise Lenihan started the day with a workshop on child abuse prevention called 'Feeling Safe' and the in-

formative session generated much interest and discussion. Dr Greig Russell followed with a presentation on asthma awareness. Dr Russell believes that asthma is often un-der-treated. He spoke of the need for an effective asthma plan and encouraged sufferers to approach their general practitioner if they have any doubts or problems. In the afternoon an

open panel discussion was chaired by Julia Martin. The panel consisted of Jean McLean (plunket nurse), Dcb Greeve (practice nurse), Libby T uthill (community midwife and district nurse), Sarah Booth (speech language therapist), Carol Nicholson (general practitioner) and Denise Lenihan. Participants accepted the challenge to "stump

the panel". Topics for questions ranged from patients' right to view their records to availability of support systems for parents under stress. Noses also featured strongly; colds, allergies, infections, viruses and teaching children to blow them! The Health Day was organised by Waiouru's Early Childhood Liaison Group.