Australian Doctor 14th February 2025 | Page 6

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14 FEBRUARY 2025 ausdoc . com . au

Mayor bans ‘ illness ’ from village

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Paul Smith FORGET doctors , hospitals , wonder drugs and those interminable debates
Like many towns across Australia , it is also dealing with the realities of a long-running medical workforce
measures , with residents asked “ not to engage in behaviours that may be harmful and to avoid domestic acci-
“ I want to know if they feel safe ,” Mr Torchia said .
He said he had been waiting since
about where the money is coming
shortage , which the nation ’ s pollies
dents ”, along with instructions not
June last year for new health ser-
from to fund it all .
have failed to address .
to leave the house too often , travel or
vices , describing access to healthcare
The mayor of a small Italian village
Half its residents are aged over 65 ,
practise sports , and to “ rest for the
as a constitutional right .
has come up with a fix : a decree ban-
but the village doctor is unable to open
majority of the time ”.
Eighteen hospitals in Calabria
ning its 1200 inhabitants from “ con-
after hours and during weekends and
The mayor , who said his frustra-
have closed since 2009 , with media
tracting any illness that may require
the nearest ED is 40km away .
tion was exacerbated by the political
reports suggesting that political
emergency medical assistance ”.
“ It ’ s hard to feel safe when you
indifference to what was happening
mismanagement and mafia inter-
Issued by Antonio Torchia , the
know that , if you need assistance ,
to his community , wanted authorities
ference had devastated the health-
Mayor Antonio Torchia .
decree was triggered by the struggles of the Belcastro community to access healthcare .
your only hope is to make it to [ ED ] on time ,” Mr Torchia told Italian TV .
His decree also included preventive
to come and live in Belcastro , based in the Calabria region of southern Italy , for a week .
care system , which is now under special administration by central government .

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Murder of aspiring doctor

PAGE 5 anything to see her daughter ’ s face “ just one more time ”.
“ Instead , I sit by her grave every Friday , stroking the grass because I can no longer stroke her hair ,” she said .
“ I kiss and hug her tombstone , longing to hold her and smell her .”
AMA Victoria president Dr Jill Tomlinson told Australian Doctor that non-fatal strangulation was a “ huge ” red flag .
“ The domestic violence homicides we see are often preceded by an instance of non-fatal strangulation , as you ’ ve seen in this case ,” she said .
Other red flags included multiple or recurrent strangulations , increasing frequency of violence , if women were pregnant or postpartum , or if there was an accessible weapon in the home , she said .
“ GPs , and all healthcare practitioners , have a role in specifically asking about non-fatal strangulation , because sometimes it won ’ t be disclosed .
“ It is important that GPs not fear asking the question , and that they recognise they can save a life by identifying this red flag .” J Emerg Med 2007 ; 25 Oct .
If this news story has raised issues for you , or you are concerned about someone you know , call Lifeline on 13 11 14 . You can also contact your local Doctors ’ Health Advisory Service .
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