Jo bridges health gap with new psychology clinic
MENTAL health treatments are typically confined to generic forms of therapy, where someone sits on a couch.
Bundaberg
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bundaberg. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MENTAL health treatments are typically confined to generic forms of therapy, where someone sits on a couch, talks about their concerns and watches someone scribble in a notebook for an hour-long session, leaving with a full head and empty pockets.
HealthWise Queensland opened the doors to its clinic this week and the range of services and dedication to clients is proof that this idea is a misconception.
Clinical psychologist Jo Bailey was keen for a seachange and moved from Sydney to the stunning Coral Cove beaches.
Ms Bailey quickly realised the huge demand for health services in the region.
"In Sydney, I was working at a GP's office and appointments weren't necessary, you just walked in, sat and waited or you would walk down the road to the next one if they were really busy," she said.
"I was not aware of how difficult it was in regional areas until we moved to Bundaberg and I tried to make an appointment for my son, who is a type-one diabetic. Now I really appreciate the difficulty that the local community has in accessing health services.
"I rang 30 or 40 GPs and every single one told me that they were not taking new patients.''
The clinic will pay attention to children's learning disorders, cognitive testing and autism, as well as conditions such as depression, anxiety and drug and alcohol addiction.
Provisional psychologist Emma Slater said HealthWise also aims to assist with the gap in chronic pain and medication management.
While HealthWise will not replace a 24-hour crisis service, such as Lifeline, Beyond Blue and the emergency department, it is committed to being available to patients who are experiencing a crisis.
HealthWise Queensland is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and appointments are available most Saturdays. Visit https://healthwiseqld.com/
If you or someone you know is struggling, call Lifeline on 131114 or Beyond Blue on 13002246 36.
Originally published as Jo bridges health gap with new psychology clinic
‘End it now’: Protests erupt on controversial coal mine push
The state government remains tight-lipped on a controversial plan to explore the possibility of a new coal mine in the Wide Bay region.
The weird, wild lives of outback Aussie publicans
Welcome to the wild, wild west. Sit down, grab a beer and say g’day to the outback publicans behind Queensland’s most remote pubs.
‘Burn the kids alive’: Tradie unmasked as monster who ‘gets off’ on cruelty
A terrified Qld mum, controlled down to every drink of water, hid in a bush for days from her sadistic partner who masterfully disguised his brutality and murderous threats- until now.
Acorn East voted Bundaberg’s top childcare centre
A Bundaberg early learning centre has been voted the best in the region by NewsMail readers.
Why power prices could surge by 60 per cent
New modelling predicts Queenslanders will pay a significantly higher cost for electricity by 2035 without a replacement for a scrapped major project.
‘Pure sunshine’: Community mourns loss of beloved cricket mum
Family, friends, cricket clubs across Wide Bay and the South Burnett Mayor herself have expressed their grief and huge sense of loss following the death of a ‘radiant’ and beloved wife, mum, volunteer and council worker.