Latest news with #Winton
West Australian
3 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Free influenza vaccines extended for an extra month after figures confirm WA facing horror flu season
Free influenza vaccines are being extended for an extra month, as the latest figures confirm fears that WA is facing a horror flu season. More than 1500 people have needed hospital treatment out of 8708 recorded infections, which is 88 per cent higher than the five-year average. Four deaths have been recorded. 'If you haven't rolled up your sleeve yet, it's not too late,' Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton said. 'By getting your free flu vaccination, you're keeping yourself, your loved ones and the wider community safe. 'Extending the free flu vaccination program means more people can stay well, avoid hospitalisation and reduce the spread of illness in our community.' Ms Winton knows from experience. She's been absent from Parliament this week, and working from home, after herself falling ill with the flu. More than 763,000 West Australians have been vaccinated this year, including Ms Winton, but the State's jab rates are lagging other States. Only 12.4 per cent of children aged 5-11 have been vaccinated. Children under 10 have accounted for 18 per cent of the 1579 flu-related hospital admissions this year, while adults aged 65 and over made up 37 per cent. Doctors say the flu vaccine isn't a guarantee you won't be struck down but, according to NSW Health data, a vaccinated person is 40-60 per cent less likely to require a doctor or hospital visit. Health Minister Meredith Hammat issued a plea for the community to 'act now' to ease pressure on hospitals that have to deal with the influx. 'We're extending this program so even more Western Australians can take advantage of free flu vaccinations this winter,' she said. 'Influenza is not just a bad cold. It can lead to severe illness and hospitalisation, particularly for young children, older adults and people with underlying conditions. 'I encourage everyone who hasn't had their flu shot to book in today and do their part to keep themselves and the community safe.' The flu vaccine will be free until the end of July, for all West Australians aged six months and over.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Free flu vaccines extended as influenza cases in WA surge
Free influenza vaccines are being extended for an extra month, as the latest figures confirm fears that WA is facing a horror flu season. More than 1500 people have needed hospital treatment out of 8708 recorded infections, which is 88 per cent higher than the five-year average. Four deaths have been recorded. 'If you haven't rolled up your sleeve yet, it's not too late,' Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton said. 'By getting your free flu vaccination, you're keeping yourself, your loved ones and the wider community safe. 'Extending the free flu vaccination program means more people can stay well, avoid hospitalisation and reduce the spread of illness in our community.' Ms Winton knows from experience. She's been absent from Parliament this week, and working from home, after herself falling ill with the flu. Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton speaks to the media at KEMH today regarding infant vaccinations. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian More than 763,000 West Australians have been vaccinated this year, including Ms Winton, but the State's jab rates are lagging other States. Only 12.4 per cent of children aged 5-11 have been vaccinated. Children under 10 have accounted for 18 per cent of the 1579 flu-related hospital admissions this year, while adults aged 65 and over made up 37 per cent. Doctors say the flu vaccine isn't a guarantee you won't be struck down but, according to NSW Health data, a vaccinated person is 40-60 per cent less likely to require a doctor or hospital visit. Health Minister Meredith Hammat issued a plea for the community to 'act now' to ease pressure on hospitals that have to deal with the influx. 'We're extending this program so even more Western Australians can take advantage of free flu vaccinations this winter,' she said. 'Influenza is not just a bad cold. It can lead to severe illness and hospitalisation, particularly for young children, older adults and people with underlying conditions. 'I encourage everyone who hasn't had their flu shot to book in today and do their part to keep themselves and the community safe.' The flu vaccine will be free until the end of July, for all West Australians aged six months and over.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
'I'm concerned there's someone out there - there are a lot of missing cats'
A cat owner says she has been left terrified after two of her pets were shot with an air rifle. Leigh Rollison became concerned when she noticed rescue Candy began 'acting really odd'. She then noticed a small wound and took the animal to vet Sinéad Bennett, who recognised the type of injury from a previous case. It was then confirmed there was a pellet lodged in Candy's body, millimetres from the spine. Fortunately, the nine-month-old is recovering. Insurance worker Leigh, 40, said she saw a similar wound on two-year-old pet Molly. Another X-ray confirmed the presence of an air rifle pellet. Leigh, from Winton, Salford said: "I don't understand it. I thought the first one might be a child in the garden by accident. "I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I really am concerned now there's someone out there. There's a lot of missing cats around my area, I'm worried they're the unlucky ones. "We found our nine-month-old rescue kitten Candy in the morning and she was acting really odd. That pellet had gone to within millimetres of her spine, she was very nearly paralysed. She probably wouldn't have been able to get home. "Molly was probably hit first but she didn't show any signs because she's tough as old boots." Leigh, who has seven rescue cats, added: "I'm frightened... we don't know how to keep them safe. "What if someone has got a cat and they don't realise it's a pellet wound? We don't know who's doing this." Vet Sinéad said: "It's unthinkable that someone could deliberately harm such gentle and well-cared-for animals. We're deeply shocked but grateful we were able to help. The cats' owners are truly devoted and attentive people. These cats are their family.' MCR Vets sai in a statement: "In a previous case seen by Sinéad a few years ago, a cat that had been shot went missing for seven days before its devastated owners found it collapsed under a hedge. "The pellet had ruptured its intestines, causing widespread damage. By the time the cat was brought in, much of the bowel was no longer salvageable. "The surgery was extensive and life-saving, but the outcome could have been tragically different. Without intervention, the cat would have endured a slow and extremely painful death." The incidents have been reported to Greater Manchester Police. The Manchester Evening News has contacted the force for comment.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Education minister promises to reduce WA teachers' workload in first major speech
Western Australia's new education minister has used her first speech in the role to call for better support for teachers and a reduction in workload, outlining the issues as a key priority for the government. Sabine Winton told the State School Teachers' Union WA state council conference on Friday afternoon that while teachers championed their students, they needed to be championed too. Her speech comes on the back of the union's State of Schools survey, which revealed workload, burnout and a lack of respect for the teaching profession were the key reasons eight out of 10 respondents considered quitting over the past four years. The survey indicated 10 per cent of teachers were working more than 60 hours per week, 26 per cent more than 50 hours, and 36 per cent more than 40 hours per week. Key influences on workload included managing student behaviour, preparing for lessons, reporting and assessments, dealing with students' mental health challenges and meetings. Worry around teacher shortages was also raised, with many saying covering for the shortage through internal relief had compromised their ability to reach the teaching standards they aspired to, and impacted their mental health. Another concern was schools using teachers who were not fully qualified to fill the gaps. In her speech, Winton, who has 27 years' experience as a teacher herself, said she felt the weight of expectation and responsibility that came with being education minister, which 'keeps me up at night'. 'What I will commit to you today is that, as minister, I will apply a filter to every initiative, asking how it will make tangible differences to teachers in the classroom,' she said.
The Age
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Education minister promises to reduce WA teachers' workload in first major speech
Western Australia's new education minister has used her first speech in the role to call for better support for teachers and a reduction in workload, outlining the issues as a key priority for the government. Sabine Winton told the State School Teachers' Union WA state council conference on Friday afternoon that while teachers championed their students, they needed to be championed too. Her speech comes on the back of the union's State of Schools survey, which revealed workload, burnout and a lack of respect for the teaching profession were the key reasons eight out of 10 respondents considered quitting over the past four years. The survey indicated 10 per cent of teachers were working more than 60 hours per week, 26 per cent more than 50 hours, and 36 per cent more than 40 hours per week. Key influences on workload included managing student behaviour, preparing for lessons, reporting and assessments, dealing with students' mental health challenges and meetings. Worry around teacher shortages was also raised, with many saying covering for the shortage through internal relief had compromised their ability to reach the teaching standards they aspired to, and impacted their mental health. Another concern was schools using teachers who were not fully qualified to fill the gaps. In her speech, Winton, who has 27 years' experience as a teacher herself, said she felt the weight of expectation and responsibility that came with being education minister, which 'keeps me up at night'. 'What I will commit to you today is that, as minister, I will apply a filter to every initiative, asking how it will make tangible differences to teachers in the classroom,' she said.
