[Grace Oz]

Originally Posted by gwenith

Hi Grace!! I am working with a couple of New Mexicans at the moment (and one Californian - the American invasion has begun) They can't get over some of our expressions like "Ta" for thank-you and "Boxing Day". Though with that lot I am not too sure who is pulling whose leg

G'day Gwenith! How's things up north? I almost got to come up for a visit, but the bloody hot water heater went bung and we had to fork out $800 for a new one! Soooo, there went my trip away down the proverbial gurgler! NOT.HAPPY. JAN!!
I'd reckon the Californian would be the one pulling your leg! Those folks are quite conversant with our lingo. Well, for the most part, anyway! LOL Give 'em heaps mate! And have fun!

[gwenith]

Originally Posted by Grace Oz

Good idea Gwenith!

Mental health was headline news here in S.A. again today. An elderly, -'bout 75yo, -suicided after being turned away, (as in probably not deemed "sick" enough!!), from hosp. after seeking help and support.

So,once again, the pollies, the beauracracts, hospital staff, etc. Are all blaming each other!!??!!

Sad state of affairs really. It never used to be about numbers, $$$'s, etc. It once was mostly about caring for and providing health care for, PEOPLE!
That's the down side of getting older. You have a memory of another time.

Yeah! See what you mean!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...9/s1472400.htm

The South Australian Opposition has dismissed the State Government's $5 million boost to mental health funding as tokenism.

The money is in response to industrial action taken by public hospital nurses.

Same old , same old isn't it??

The Forster Repport has been released here - 400 recommendations - top of the list - get rid of the bureaucrats, so what does our all seeing all wise goverment do - advertise for 8 new top bosses for the health system - more bureaucrats.

[gwenith]

Know the renovation problem - just redid all the lights in my house - don't even ask. About to have 2 weeks off which are going to have to be spent here at home Oh! Well! I guess I can finally catch up with those things I have been promising myself I will do

[Helen46]

yeh - that would be nice. Im new here, a first year student, and a mum with two small children. This Australian site seems to mainly to attract foreigners asking questions about entering Australia (which is fine - a good place to get to know some Aussies if they come here), but it lacks Australians chatting to Australians (can you also change into a girl so I can chat about girly things - don't care much for sport *grin*)

Helen

Originally Posted by gwenith

Having been guilty myself of hijacking threads saying hello and just chatting to my fellow Aussies I thought it might be worthwhile for us to have a thread that is just dedicated to general Aussie chat. We can then discuss issues like the Morris - oops Davis inquiry in Queensland and what it will mean for Q health and for the rest of Australia.

We can talk cricket, sport and anything else that is just us.

Say hello to new members dropping by.

Generally find out what is happening in the rest of the country.

I will make this thread a "sticky" so that it will always be at the top of the forum.

[Helen46]

Oops - sorry - just realized that your name is Gwenith, and that you are a girl thats into footy etc. genuine apologies for the 'changing into a girl comment'.

Helen

Originally Posted by gwenith

Having been guilty myself of hijacking threads saying hello and just chatting to my fellow Aussies I thought it might be worthwhile for us to have a thread that is just dedicated to general Aussie chat. We can then discuss issues like the Morris - oops Davis inquiry in Queensland and what it will mean for Q health and for the rest of Australia.

We can talk cricket, sport and anything else that is just us.

Say hello to new members dropping by.

Generally find out what is happening in the rest of the country.

I will make this thread a "sticky" so that it will always be at the top of the forum.

[Grace Oz]

Originally Posted by Helen46

yeh - that would be nice. Im new here, a first year student, and a mum with two small children. This Australian site seems to mainly to attract foreigners asking questions about entering Australia (which is fine - a good place to get to know some Aussies if they come here), but it lacks Australians chatting to Australians (can you also change into a girl so I can chat about girly things - don't care much for sport *grin*)

Helen

Don't worry Helen, there's plenty of others who don't care much for sport either. Post about whatever you wish to discuss, seek advice about, share etc. It doesn't have to be about sport!

WELCOME to allnurses and the Aussie forum. There ARE many Aussies who read the posts, but they're too chickens*** to participate and join in the debates, discussions etc! They're what we call ... "lurkers"!

You'll find this is THE BEST nursing website on the planet!
It must be, it tolerates us Aussies!!

[gwenith]

That is right Grace!!

But yeah! I wanted somewhere for us just to chat about general things without it being a formal thread or anything.

At the moment here in QLD of course the Forster report is out. Overall good report for Q-health but there is a lot that can be improved - I love that man and Tony Morris - both have said we need to trim the beurocracy- someone is finally listening!!:!

[Grace Oz]

Bureaucracy is one of the singular most reasons for the decline in what was once an excellent healthcare system in Australia. I have witnessed some totally absurb decision making, with detrimental outcomes, in my years as a nurse.
As a healthcare consumer, and a support person of one, I've witnessed things that, if it weren't for me being a nurse, and knowing what I know, the outcomes could have been horrendous! And a lot had to do with useless, unnecessary, 'red tape!'

I'm pleased to read your post Gwenith, that Qld health at least is making progress.

The thing I also came to be aware of in all the years nursing in various different states, is just how VASTLY different and in someways, polarised, we are as a nation in terms of how we deliver healthcare.
When I went to Western Australia back in the late 70's, you'd have thought I'd materialised from another planet! The parochial attitude I found there was unbelievable! And dare I try to share with them any knowledge I had, (which CLEARLY, they didn't!), I was promptly informed; "well, you're NOT in Sydney now, and this is how we do it here!". Well, excuse me! So you desire to stay stuck in nursing as it's always been done and never progress, learn and develop???!!! It was incredible! Thankfully, they've come a long way since those days! With more people migrating between the states and territories, there's less of a "them and us" attitude. More intergration & acceptance of those who have something to offer and share. More willingness to learn from people from another state, health facility etc.

Hmmmm, sounds a lot similar to the story told by immigrants to our land, doesn't it? But that's another story for another day..........

[aussiestudent]

Hey All,
Just wondering is this Forum for those who are doing div 1 or doing div 2 student nurses (or sen's or en).
Jane
p.s armageddon is the best movie ever!!!!!

[Interested Party]

Well Gwenith, it was a slow start but looks like some Aussie nurses, nursing student and whoever else, have found this thread.

I have not followed up on the Forster recommendations as I have been on pms and nights. Some of my colleagues are apprehensive, some say that same recommendations have been made but nothing done, some are hopeful. What more do you know, Gwenith? I do believe that we will benefit because of Forster's Report as there have been lots of media coverage on both Forster and Morris. Davies have been a little low key ................. I wonder what's happening.