PENINSULA ONLINE

Issue 10
Monday, 10 July 2006 

$105k for asthma education packages

Ms Leanne Sheen explained that the project will be informed by a project steering group that has representation from key stakeholders such as Rural Ambulance Victoria, Asthma Educators, The Asthma Foundation of Victoria, and the National Asthma Council

The project titled ‘Ambulances for Asthma: Education Programs for Health Professionals and Their Patients in Rural and Remote Areas’, will be presented as a multimedia package and will be developed with support from the Monash University Multimedia Development Unit.

MUCAPS project leader Ms Leanne Sheen said the initiative would initially focus on rural areas of Victoria including Gippsland, Mildura and the Ottway and Eastern Ranges.

“The MUCAPS research team has previously conducted two studies funded by the Department of Health and Ageing into the use of ambulances for asthma in rural areas. According to Lee, these studies revealed that there were several barriers to ambulance use for asthma at a community level.

“People in rural areas still drove themselves to hospital with severe asthma instead of using ambulances.

“Some of the reasons for this included a distrust of the ‘000’ system, concerns that the paramedics would be unable to locate their rural property, underestimating asthma severity and not considering asthma as warranting ambulance paramedic assistance,” she explained.

In addition, some health professionals did not tell their patients to use ambulance services if they needed them, and did not know what an ambulance paramedic could do for a patient with asthma. An investigation into those patients who did call ‘000’ found that ambulance paramedic care for asthma was excellent. 

The development of these education packages were recommendations from these first two projects. “It is very exciting to see such tangible outcomes resulting from research,” Ms Sheen said.

NHMRC appointment

Professor Margaret O'Connor from the School of Nursing and Midwifery has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Committee's Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC).

Professor O'Connor is the first nurse to be appointed to this prestigious role and brings her experience in nursing/allied health practices to the committee.

Winter research forum focuses on healthy ageing

Following on from the success of the Health and Wellbeing Research forum held in February this year, a winter forum will be held at The Morning Star Estate Winery on Tuesday 18 July. 

The major focus for the day is to consider, discuss and plan a comprehensive project on ageing issues that will cover the Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland and Berwick regions. Two of the key guest speakers are Professors Rosemary Calder and Professor John McNeil.

The full program for the day is available and anyone wishing to attend should contact Melinda Robinson by Friday, 14 July.

Monash staff 'sneak peak' at new Seahorse Tavern menu

The Seahorse Tavern has a 'New  Chef, New Menu and New Look'. Staff are invited to come in and try the tavern's new menu items, take advantage of the last two student free days and the new improved surroundings with open fire.

Below is just a few mouth watering options:

• Tortilla wrap - Chicken and bacon with salad & seeded mustard
• Caesar salad with grilled herb marinated chicken breast strips                                               
• Cantonese style calamari and vegetable stir fry   
• Stella beer battered fish’n chips with homemade tartare sauce
• Mexican chicken quesadilla (a folded grilled tortilla) with mild spices, grilled onion, melted cheese, guacamole & sour cream
• Rich chocolate mud cake smothered in jaffa ganache
• Churros (Spanish donuts) with chocolate dipping sauce & ice cream      

The Seahorse Tavern is Open for Lunch from 12 noon to 2 pm. Bookings can be made on extn 44155. Any bookings for 10 people or more receive a complimentary bottle of house wine.

Focus on health and wellbeing through healthy eating

In late 2005 the campus commenced an initiative to encourage the availability and consumption of healthy food at Peninsula Campus.

A small committee was formed and Ms Claire Palermo from the Monash Nutrition and Dietetics Unit was engaged to work with the committee and Monyx Food and Beverage to evaluate current food offerings and develop areas of improvement.

The report noted the wide variety of items on the menu, but also noted the following as areas of concern:

• The dominance of high fat foods

• The lack of availability of smaller meal size options

• Vegetarian options not being nutritionally complete

• The limited availability of low fat dairy based foods

• Limited availability of fruit as a standard menu item

• The lack of availability of water on campus.

In addition it was discovered that there was a wide variety of expectations in regards to food provision on campus and not all these issues related to healthy food.

Since the initial assessment the following changes have been made in the Upperdeck Café and Seahorse Tavern:

• Fat free products/meals offerings have increased ie sandwiches without margarine/cheese etc

• The nutritional value of meals being served has been improved with the addition of high protein options like nuts, tofu, lentils, beans

• Dairy options have been increased such as frozen and drinking yoghurt, smoothies, milkshakes, fruit and yoghurt packs

• Increased offerings of gluten free and Halal meals

• A fresh juice bar has been introduced in the Seahorse Tavern

• Fruit salad packs & gourmet sliced fruit packs have been introduced

• Increased focus on juices, mineral & still water rather than fizzy drinks

• Introduction of ‘naked’ sandwiches/burgers ie no bread in tubs in the Cafe and burgers in lettuce leaves in the Seahorse Tavern

• The Seahorse tavern menu indicates vegetarian and gluten-free options

Further to the recent changes, Monyx Food and Beverage have also conducted campus focus groups and are working on developing strategies to improve customer satisfaction both in terms of quality and service.

The campus is also participating in a further study being undertaken by nutrition and dietetics students during semester 2, under the supervision of Claire Palermo, which will develop a plan and implementation strategy for a continuous healthy food service system at Peninsula.

Flu vaccines and relaxation classes at Community Services

Flu vaccinations

It is not too late to vaccinate! If you have not had your flu shot yet, why not book a time with Community Services' nurse, Diana Schumacher, and be prepared.

Bring your Medicare Card and $15 to Community Services, Health Service, Level 1, A Building. If you have any queries, contact Community Services on extn 44223.

Relaxation classes 

All staff are invited to join our Relaxation Class held each Monday from the beginning of semester. 

Where:             Community Services, level 1, A building
When:              1.10–1.50pm each Monday

For further information, please contact Community Services on ext 44223.

Staff Social Club Christmas in July and AGM

Staff are reminded that the Social Club will be holding its annual Christmas in July lunch on Tuesday, 25 July in the George Jenkins Theatre. The AGM will held at 12 noon with lunch served from 12.30 pm. Cost for members is $15 and non members is $20 for a two course lunch and drinks. Please book and pay any Staff Club committee member - Sue Schuwalow, Pauline Nelson, Michael Mirra, Judy Hopley, Rod Rodway, Jenny McGrath and Julie Baxter.

Special Alexander Theatre offer for Peninsula staff

The Alexander Theatre is providing a special offer for Peninsula staff for the upcoming performance of TaikOz  in Daha... Pounding Wave.

TaikOz combines tradition with the latest Australian and Japanese compositions bringing together the traditional Japanese taiko drums with the ethereal tones of the bamboo shakuhachi thus exploring a synthesis of East and West, old and new.

Following a sell out season in 2004, TaikOz returns to the Alex with their highly charged, physical percussion performance on 8 and 9 August.

Peninsula staff are eligible for the discount price of $36.10 as well as a complimentary beverage voucher and invitation to nibbles after the performance on opening night on 8 August. Just mention ' Peninsula staff' when booking for this special deal.

As it is expected to be another sell our season this offer is only available until 21 July. bookings can be made at the Monash Box Office on extn 51111 (9.30 am - 4.30 pm, Mon-Fri).

Further information about the Alexanders Theatre's 2006 program including TaikOz is available online.