Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season

From the desk of the MP for Scenic Rim

‘‘ I wish you, your family and friends, a happy, holy and safe Christmas

I will see you all next year and continue working hard for you and the Scenic Rim

I WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS

AS the festive season draws closer, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable, safe and merry Christmas from my family to yours.

This can also be a difficult time of year for people and the feelings of bereavement or isolation can be powerful. If you have a colleague, neighbour, family member or friend who you know is going through a tough time - don't be shy to reach out.

You never know what difference your gesture may make and the best Christmas gift we can give is a little joy or relief to someone in need.

I urge anyone having trouble coping with stress, anxiety or depression at Christmas to tell a trusted friend or family member.

You can also contact a support line such as Lifeline on 13 11 14 (the support line operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year).

I wish you, your family and friends, a happy, holy and safe Christmas.

BEAUDESERT HOSPITAL

NEARLY five years on and 1000 births later – the return of maternity services at the Beaudesert Hospital by the LNP in 2014 remains my biggest source of pride as your local representative.

Congratulations to the parents and also to all of the hard-working midwives and doctors on scoring the top rating for overall care in maternity services.

I visited the hospital earlier this year with Deb Frecklington MP and Ros Bates MP and I will keep lobbying to make our hospitals better for the community and for families in the Scenic Rim.

BREASTSCREEN QUEENSLAND AT THE BEAUDESERT HOSPITAL

THE BreastScreen Queensland mobile unit will be at the Beaudesert Hospital from until December 13, offering free breast screening.

BreastScreen Queensland specifically targets women aged between 50-74 years and invites them for a free screening mammogram every two years. Bookings can be made online www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au or by phoning 13 20 50.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YEAR 12 GRADUATES

IT’S the time of year again when we say farewell to all Year 12 students graduating from schools across the Scenic Rim.

Congratulations on completing your final assessments and finishing this chapter of your lives.

In the next steps outside of school, whether you’re starting study, starting a trade, or full-time work, I wish you the best for happiness and success in all your future endeavours.

UPDATE: MY HEALTH RECORDS

THE opt-out period for the My Health Record system has been extended to January 31, 2019.

The system will be available online to Australian health care providers and government departments.

My Health Record is about ease of accessibility for health care providers who would be able to obtain medical history quickly and in certain situations this may be able to better help patients.

The decision to opt-out of this program, or not, is a personal one. I simply want to bring this matter to the attention of residents within the Scenic Rim who might not have known that a My Health Record will be automatically created for all Australians on January 31, 2019.

To read more about My Health Records, or to opt-out, visit www.myhealthrecord.gov.au/.