Health

Dean Harlow, Barbara Emery (Director Tewantin Noosa RSL), Sandy Bolton MP, Morris McPhee (Noosa Rotary Club), Jamie Oakley (NoosaCare’s Acting CEO), Ann Harrap (NoosaCare’s President), Clint Coker (CEO of LiveLife Pharmacy Group), Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie and Dee Chandler (sponsor of the Chandler Villa).

A NEW 32-bed memory support unit has officially opened at NoosaCare’s Carramar residence in Tewantin.

NoosaCare President Ann Harrap said the facility will provide more services and options for those living with dementia on the Sunshine Coast.

“With more and more people in our community impacted by dementia and cognitive decline, we are delighted to be able to provide a service that offers both a clinical and lifestyle approach to care in a safe and visually appealing space,” Ms Harrap said.

The new unit – a specifically designed secure environment in landscaped surroundings – increases NoosaCare’s secure dementia offering to 64 beds and is complemented by NoosaCare’s outreach activities such as the dementia café.

Extra services include solar outdoor audio and visual nature boards with information and sensory cues, outdoor safe-to-touch fireplace with seating, wearables and sensors that can assist with independence, interactive audio-visual systems to provide stimulation and sensory engagement and “silent sounds” wireless headphone systems.

“Providing dementia care is expensive and underfunded by the government so we rely heavily on volunteers and the generosity of donors to ensure we can deliver something extraordinary.

“NoosaCare is grateful to all those who helped to make this project a reality, particularly our major donors, RSL Tewantin, LiveLife Pharmacy Group and the families of John Hay and Stan Chandler.

“The financial gifts from those organisations and families have meant we can provide additional amenities and resident services over and above what we can fund ourselves,” she said.

Designed by Peter Middap and constructed by Kane Builders, the project received endorsement from Dementia Australia and was recognised by the Institute of Hospitality in Healthcare as a state-of-the-art “Project of the Year” in 2021.

Mrs Harrap officially opened the new facility on December 5 with State Member of Parliament Sandy Bolton, Noosa’s Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie and the project’s major donors.

NoosaCare is a not-forprofit, community-owned organisation, established in 1984.

Dr talks about medical cannabis

A THERAPEUTIC Goods Administration (TGA) Approved cannabinoid clinician and prescriber wants to educate and inform people about medicinal cannabis.

Dr Geoff Cutter established MMHS Medicinal Cannabis TeleClinic in early 2020 and will open a satellite clinic in Pomona in early 2023 to offer face-to-face consulting.

Dr Geoff said he can offer information about medical cannabis and that everyone should always discuss any health issues with their GP and also see details on the TGA website.

“I am offering information only. Discuss it with your GP and if you want to know more then you can contact me.”

Dr Geoff said cannabis is a species of plant with many varieties.

“We believe it has been on this earth for at least 1.5 billion years.

“It is believed that hemp was the first cultivated plant by mankind around 5,000 years ago. It was primarily used for its high fibre content in producing cloth and rope, and its seed and derived oil as a nutritious, high-protein foodstuff, as it is today.

“Two other varieties evolved to become predominant, Indica and Sativa, with different characteristics. Both contain a huge variety of chemicals with over 420 identified so far. The three main groups are Cannabidiol (CBD), Tetrahydro Cannabinol (THC) and Terpenes.

“Hemp contains less than 0.3 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by law.”

Dr Geoff said in humans, the chemicals work synergistically, such that the sum is greater than the parts, something called the Entourage Effect.

“They exert their effects through the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Every vertebrate has an ECS and cannabis-like substances are quite normally produced in their body.

“In us, there are two called Anandamide and 2AG which regulate all the systems in our body to keep everything balanced and in harmony. We think that when this balance is disrupted in various ways, some medical conditions may be caused; there is no proof however.

“The ECS comprises chemical receptors to which our natural cannabinoids can bind to give effect. CB1 receptors are found predominantly in the brain and central nervous system (CNS) and are mostly impacted by THC,whereas CBD (Cannabidiol) links with CB2 receptors which are found across the body, are particularly associated with our immune system and are particularly prevalent along our intestines.”

Dr Geoff said cannabis for medicinal use only, was legalised in Australia in early 2016 and is classified as an unregistered drug because it hasn’t been through the required drug trials system yet.

“However it is available to any Australian by prescription from a doctor and on specific criteria.”

Merry Christmas

Thank you to all of our wonderful patients

INTRODUCING DR ANTOINETTE DU TOIT

Dr du Toit has significant experience in a wide variety of aesthetic procedures, diabetes management and general practice and is very much looking forward to settling down for many years with her family in the hinterland community. Dr du Toit starts in January 2023.

Dr Antoinette du Toit