SYDNEY’S BRONTE BEACH SWAMPED BY DANGEROUS BLUEBOTTLE JELLYFISH JUST DAYS AFTER STRANGE TAR BALL SITUATION

AUSTRALIA NEWS

3rd NOVEMBER 2024

By Oyenike

SYDNEY’S BRONTE BEACH SWAMPED BY DANGEROUS BLUEBOTTLE JELLYFISH JUST DAYS AFTER STRANGE TAR BALL SITUATION

Bronte Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been overrun by a swarm of toxic bluebottle jellyfish. On Wednesday, numerous stingers appeared on the shore, posing a significant threat of painful stings or severe allergic reactions.

This occurrence follows the recent appearance of thousands of black tar balls on Coogee Beach and other nearby locations, leading to beach closures. Bronte Beach is situated between Bondi Beach to the north and Coogee Beach to the south.

Waverley Council announced plans to clean the beach on Thursday night. A spokesperson explained that bluebottles often wash ashore during warm months due to onshore winds and high tides. This week, the influx of bluebottles has been particularly noticeable at the southern section of Bronte Beach, which is more vulnerable to north-easterly winds.

Regular beach cleaning is conducted by the council, with another inspection and cleanup scheduled for the following morning if necessary. Bluebottle jellyfish are commonly found in eastern Australia during warmer periods, with reports of up to 30,000 stings each year. According to Australian Geographic, bluebottles are not a single organism but rather a colony of four interconnected entities called zooids, which must coexist to survive.

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PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS, SHOWING EXTENDED WAIT TIMES AND LIMITED BED CAPACITY

A recent report has revealed a significant backlog in the public healthcare system, indicating that hospitals are struggling to provide adequate care for patients with severe mental health issues due to unprecedented wait times and insufficient bed availability.

The Australian Medical Association’s 17-year study found an increase in mental health patients, yet a shortage of inpatient beds is causing many to remain in emergency departments longer than necessary.

Current statistics show only 27 specialised mental health beds available per 100,000 Australians, marking the lowest capacity recorded. Dr. Danielle McMullen, the AMA’s federal president, emphasised that the deficit in specialised beds contributes to hospital congestion, resulting in extended emergency department stays for patients and distress for their families.

In the 2022-2023 period, patients with acute mental health conditions experienced record wait times in emergency departments before being admitted to public hospital beds, averaging 420 minutes, or seven hours. Alarmingly, 10% of these patients waited more than 23 hours for a bed, and once admitted, they faced significantly longer hospital stays—averaging 14.3 days compared to just 5.3 days for non-mental health patients.

Dr. McMullen pointed out that the congestion in hospitals also affects emergency department staff, creating a stressful environment that can lead to burnout and, in severe cases, assaults on staff members. This report underscores the urgent need for improvements in mental health services.

The Australian Medical Association’s 17-year study found an increase in mental health patients, and a shortage of inpatient beds

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DEVASTATING INCIDENT: FAMILY OF DRIVER IN FATAL AUBURN SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL CRASH SHARES HEARTFELT STATEMENT

In a statement, the family of the 40-year-old driver involved in the tragic incident at Auburn South Primary School shared their disbelief over the “overwhelming tragedy” that caused the death of 11-year-old Jack Davey and injuries to four others. On Tuesday, emergency services responded swiftly to the scene in Hawthorn East, Melbourne, where the driver inadvertently crashed through the school fence, injuring several children.

Five young students were hit by the vehicle, including two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy, all of whom were taken to the hospital due to serious injuries. Jack Davey succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital after the SUV struck a group of children seated at a table near the fence. The driver was reportedly picking up her child around 2:30 PM when she lost control during a U-turn.

In a statement released on Friday, the driver’s family conveyed their shock at the “overwhelming tragedy.” They expressed that no words could adequately capture the depth of their sorrow, wishing it were merely a nightmare.

They extended their heartfelt condolences to Jack’s family and all those affected by the incident, wishing for a swift recovery for the injured. The family, who also has children, deeply empathises with the pain experienced by others. They concluded by thanking the school staff and emergency responders for their efforts during this difficult time.

11-year-old Jack Davey was killed when a car driver inadvertently crashed through the school fence

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MAN HURRIED TO HOSPITAL WITH CRITICAL INJURIES AFTER WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SKYDIVING INCIDENT NEAR JURIEN BAY

A skydiving mishap in Western Australia has led to a man in his 40s being urgently transported to the hospital with critical injuries. The event took place on Thursday morning close to Jurien Bay, located approximately 220 kilometres north of Perth.

The individual was first taken to the Jurien Bay Health Centre before being airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital for further medical care. A spokesperson from St John WA reported that the RAC rescue helicopter arrived in Perth around 2 PM.

According to her statement to NewsWire, “His injuries were considered serious but not life-threatening.” She also mentioned that St John WA received the emergency call around 10:30 AM.

A skydiving mishap in Western Australia has led to a man in his 40s being urgently transported to the hospital with critical injuries

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CLARE LOOKER AND BEN COWIE, VICTORIA’S CHIEF HEALTH OFFICERS, ANNOUNCE THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THE STATE’S HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The process of finding Victoria’s next chief health officer has begun after the current dual leaders announced their departures. Dr. Clare Looker, who took over from Professor Brett Sutton in July as chief health officer, will conclude her role at the end of the year to take a well-deserved break.

Having joined the health department in 2016 and later appointed deputy chief health officer in 2020, Dr. Looker played a vital role in managing Victoria’s pandemic response. She expressed that stepping back was a “difficult decision” but felt proud to have served in her capacity.

Dr. Looker noted that the past few years have been intense for public health, and she cherished being at the forefront, collaborating with a remarkable team to ensure community health and safety. Although it was challenging to decide to take a professional pause, she believes it is the right choice for her at this time.

Professor Ben Cowie, who shares the chief health officer duties part-time, will also depart the health department on December 30. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Victorians and acknowledged the dedication of his colleagues. Department of Health Secretary Professor Euan Wallace mentioned that interim measures are being arranged for the chief health officer’s duties in 2025 while recruitment for the permanent position resumes.

Stepping down Clare Looker

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