ordinary meeting of council to be held on tuesday, 18 july 2006

Ordinary Meeting <strong>of</strong> Council - 18 July 2006 4 / 3
Item 4
S02957
29 June 2006
Year Morning clinic Evening clinic Total
appointments appointments
2001 490 (Average 40) 125 ( Average 10) 615
2002 479 (Average 39) 135 ( Average 11) 614
2003 549 (Average 45) 166 ( Average 13) 715
2004 475 (Average 39) 104 ( Average 8) 549
2005 615 (Average 51) 123 ( Average 10) 738
2006 <strong>to</strong> end June 246 ( Average 41) 59 (Average 10) 305 (6 months)
Data obtained from Northern Area Health Service reveals that, for children aged 12-15 months, the
national immunisation goal is 95%, the national average is 91% , whilst the rate in Ku-ring-gai is
slightly <strong>be</strong>low at 90%. This low rate in Ku-ring-gai is attributed <strong>to</strong> poor reporting by GPs <strong>to</strong> the
national immunisation register rather than non-immunisation. (The greater use <strong>of</strong> private GPs <strong>to</strong>
provide immunisation for Ku-ring-gai children further enforces this.)
Staffing and costs
The clinics conducted by Council in conjunction with NSW Health, up unitl May 2006 ,were
staffed by one medical practitioner, three immunisation nurses and up <strong>to</strong> three administration
<strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> Council.
The provision <strong>of</strong> the medical practitioner ceased on the 16 May 2006, with her resignation. NSW
Health has advised that she will not <strong>be</strong> replaced and that future clinincs will <strong>be</strong> staffed by
immunisation nurses only.
The immunisation nurses are employed by Council on a casual basis, with their costs <strong>be</strong>ing
reimbursed by NSW Health on an annual basis. Administration staffing costs are borne by Council.
Currently, the monthly clinic amounts <strong>to</strong> a monthly cost <strong>of</strong> $900 <strong>to</strong> Council. This cost includes
staffing ($759) <strong>of</strong> clinic morning and evening, prior administration in terms <strong>of</strong> preparation in
sending invitations and ensuring adequate medical supplies ($60), record keeping, and clininc set
up ( $80). Vaccine is provided by NSW Health free <strong>of</strong> charge, however, any vaccine that is spoilt
must <strong>be</strong> paid for by Council.
The cost <strong>of</strong> providing the immunisation service is approximately $14 - $20 per child attending, by
way <strong>of</strong> in-kind administrative support and the supply <strong>of</strong> ancillary pharmecuticals such as needles,
skin wipes etc.
Location
As previously stated, clinics are <strong>held</strong> on a monthly basis. Clinics are conducted within the Council
admininstration building on Level 3, (in the foyer area immediately outside the Council cham<strong>be</strong>r).
The location <strong>of</strong> the clinics is not ideal, in so far as adequate provision cannot <strong>be</strong> made for either
attending medical staff (space, running hot and cold water, examination tables) or the clients
(privacy, quiet room, ramp access, threat <strong>of</strong> staircase).
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