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Media

The Far West LHD Media Unit is responsible for all media inquiries and interviews with Far West LHD staff members. The Unit regularly advises on major public health issues and disease outbreaks, through media releases, media conferences and, sometimes, special telephone hotlines.

Contact us

The Media Officer for Far West LHD is Branko Licul on 0411 119 592 or email branko.licul@health.nsw.gov.au

The Media Unit is the primary point of contact for news organisations. All media enquiries must come through the Media Unit in the first instance. This includes:

  • Requests for interviews
  • Photo requests of staff, patients or our facilities
  • General enquiries about health issues
  • Any condition updates on patients who have been injured in an accident or are otherwise of interest to the media

Please do not call our hospitals directly as they are not allowed to provide this information.

Staff are not permitted to speak to journalists or representatives of media organisations without the knowledge or permission of the Media Officer.

An On-Call Media Officer is available after normal business hours to assist media with urgent enquiries. This is organised on a roster basis and the correct person to contact is available via a voicemail message on 0411 119 592.

 

 

 

 




View Far West LHD Media Releases for

<< The archived Media Releases from the Greater Western AHS can be accessed here >>





04 May 2018

Get Vaccinated To Beat The Flu Bug This Winter


Free flu jabs will be available from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday, 9 May at the Aged Persons Centre (Blende Street) as part of Far West Local Health District’s campaign to encourage the community to get vaccinated this winter.

The flu vaccine is being provided free for a limited time in communities across the state as part of NSW Health’s $1.75 million immunisation campaign following one of the worst flu seasons on record last year, which caused over 650 flu-related deaths.

“Vaccination is your best protection against the flu, so we encourage you and your loved ones to get vaccinated against this deadly infection this winter,” Priscilla Stanley, Public Health Manager, Far West Local Health District.

“The best time to have the flu vaccine is in April or May to ensure your protection doesn’t wane before the flu season peaks. The vaccine takes two weeks to be fully effective.

“Flu vaccines are now available at most GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services and, for children under five years of age, from council and community centres that routinely provide vaccination services.”

Free flu shots are available to members of the community who are pregnant, people over 65 years of age, most Aboriginal people and those with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart problems.

“For a limited time on Wednesday 9 May, Far West LHD is also making the flu shot available for free to any member of the community at the Aged Persons Centre (Blende Street).”

Vaccination is the best protection against the flu, but the following steps also help prevent the spread of influenza:

  • Cough and sneeze into your elbow

  • Clean your hands

  • Stay home when sick.


The Far West Local Health District will be implementing its winter plans for local hospitals, which include procedures for allocating additional resources during periods of high demand, providing free flu vaccinations for frontline health staff and promoting good hygiene practices that help fight the spread of flu.

“The World Health Organization advises this year’s flu vaccine will be a better match to the four circulating strains and offer higher protection than last year. We urge everyone to get the flu jab to build our immunity in the community and beat the flu bug this winter – it could save your life,” said Ms Stanley.

The NSW Government will spend a record $22.75 million on state-wide immunisation programs in 2017-18, including $3.5 million for free flu shots to children up to five years of age to boost protection against flu in our communities.

For more information about influenza, see the NSW Health website.