Latest news with #StJohn
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Wanneroo council endorses rollout of anti-choking devices
The City of Wanneroo council has unanimously backed a plan to install anti-choking devices at 10 city-managed facilities despite staff recommending against it. The council meeting supported an alternative motion from Cr Bronwyn Smith at Tuesday night's meeting to proceed with the rollout after hearing from local father Brian Bwoga, whose son Zaza died after choking last year near Iluka Foreshore. The anti-choking device, known as LifeVac, is a portable tool designed to clear the airway during a choking emergency. City of Wanneroo officers recommended against installing LifeVac devices, citing concerns from St John and Red Cross about possible delays to first aid. They also concluded it would be more practical for people to carry their own LifeVac devices in personal first-aid kits rather than installing them in public facilities, increasing familiarity with the device. The devices are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and have been installed at 38 community facilities in the City of Joondalup, approved for five staffed recreation centres in the City of Stirling, and placed at 10 locations in the City of Vincent. In a statement to the council, Simon Gould, owner of LifeVac Australia and a former advanced care paramedic of 15 years, said he disagreed with the staff report's recommendation and urged the council to approve the device's rollout. 'The initial report and recommendation to council not to implement the LifeVac, contrary to the decisions of other councils, is frankly based on unevidenced nonsense, a naive understanding of regulatory structures, legislation, law, scientific evidence, and a failure to seek out qualified and reputable sources,' Mr Gould claimed. 'LifeVac has been determined by the TGA to be low risk, non-invasive, safe and can be used without prescription, special training, and without restriction in Australia and worldwide.' The LifeVac anti-choking device kit. Credit: supplied Mr Gould said the device had saved more than 4300 lives worldwide, including more than 75 in Australia. Of those, more than 2400 were children, which he said were all after first aid failed. Mr Bwoga pleaded with the council to act, saying he had attended nearly 20 council meetings across WA advocating for the devices. 'Wanneroo, let's get it home,' he told councillors. 'This will be the best two to 3000 you're going to invest in this city.' Brian Bwoga has been advocating for anti-choking devices after the death of his 22-month-old son ZaZa Bwoga. Credit: Manuel Goria In 2023–24, choking and suffocation led to 1557 hospitalisations in Australia, with 1427 deaths reported in 2022–23, representing 9.3 per cent of all injury deaths. Most of the cases involved males aged between 0–4 years and those 65 years and older. Mayor Linda Aitken backed the rollout, highlighting the safety of vulnerable groups such as children, older adults and those with disabilities. '(LifeVac) is a proven, practical and cost-effective backup in any setting where a choking emergency might occur,' Ms Aitken said. 'This is not about replacing first aid. It's about giving our residents and staff another tool in the moments when every second counts. 'Even with public education, product safety regulations and labelling laws, choking emergencies still occur, often suddenly and silently.' Placing 10 anti-choking devices at city-managed facilities is expected to cost $6500.
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Person taken to hospital after 'disorder event' in Auckland suburb of Beach Haven
Photo: ST JOHN NZ A person has been taken to North Shore Hospital after a disorder event involving a group of young people in the Auckland suburb of Beach Haven. Emergency services were notified of the event on Rangatira Road and Sunnyhaven Avenue at 4.20pm which police said involved a "group of youths". A person was taken to North Shore Hospital in a moderate condition. St John said that an ambulance, a rapid response unit and an operations manager attended. Police called it a disorder incident and remained at the scene. They said enquiries were underway. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- RNZ News
Person taken to hospital after reported assault in Auckland suburb of Beach Haven
Photo: ST JOHN NZ A person has been taken to North Shore Hospital after a reported assault in the Auckland suburb of Beach Haven on Wednesday afternoon. St John were notified of an assault incident at 4:21pm on Rangatira Road and Sunnyhaven Avenue. A person was taken to North Shore Hospital in a moderate condition. St John said that an ambulance, a rapid response unit and an operations manager attended. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- RNZ News
Emergency incident underway in Auckland suburb of Beach Haven
Photo: ST JOHN NZ Hato Hone St John is at the scene of an emergency incident in the Auckland suburb of Beach Haven. Emergency services were notified of the situation at 4:21pm on Rangatira Road and Sunnyhaven Avenue. A spokesperson for St John said that an ambulance, a rapid response unit and an operations manager were still at the scene.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Body found off walkway near Auckland's Southern Motorway
A police cordon is set up in a walkway near SH1 at Highbrook. Photo: RNZ / Bella Craig A man's body has been found off a walkway which runs alongside Auckland's Southern Motorway. Police were alerted at around 11.30am and while carrying out initial investigations at the scene they located a suspicious item near the man's body. The object was first thought to be an improvised explosive device (IED). "The area was immediately cordoned off, including the closure of SH1 between Princes Street and Highbrook Drive," a spokesperson said. The Police Specialist Search Group and the NZDF EOD Team were sent to the area. After a thorough search two objects were found, both of which were safely removed from the scene. "Initial enquiries indicate that these items are not IEDs, and further specialist enquiries will need to be carried out into these two objects." The motorway has since reopened. The spokesperson said police would provide further details in due course. St John were at the scene with two rapid response vehicles in a standby capacity. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
