The concept of ‘networking’ across public and private health care services is showing definite advantages in the Bingara-Warialda-Inverell regions, particularly with the recent development of a DVD aimed to support health care staff in the region who work with persons living with chronic pain.Over the last three months, Angela and Penny have produced an innovative DVD titled “The Impeccable Assessment of Pain”.

This video will form part of a training package designed to educate care staff who work with persons who experience pain, in particular those persons who can no longer indicate they have ain, such as a person with dementia. Angela and Penny are now very excited to announce the launch of this DVD at the “Roxy” Theatre, Bingara on Thursday 23 July at 10.30am. The gestation period for this video is a classic example of how ‘from little things BIG things grow’. It involved the close collaboration between the two Project Officers, and a wonderful film maker living in rural down-town Bingara, Mr Steve Webber from Gypsy Digital Video Productions. “The concept for the DVD began with a seed of an idea, to educate staff who needed to increase their knowledge and confidence in understanding pain and undertaking assessment,” said Angela.

“Following consultation with Steve, a very naive script was produced, in the form of a two-page essay. Poor Steve must have been horrified when he received this, wondering what on earth he had let himself in for, in agreeing to work with such novices.

Two days of filming, and in excess of 250 hours of editing, has created a very professionally finished product that will result in improving the quality of life for those living with chronic pain and those who are unable to verbalise their pain through education to care providers.” Angela, Penny and Steve now wish to extend an open invitation to community members to join them at the Roxy on 23 July to celebrate the launch of their DVD.

The program will include morning tea and a light lunch provided by the “Friends of Touriandi”. There will be no charge for those wishing to attend, however, for catering purposes, please RSVP your intentions to Angela at Bingara Hospital on 6728 0109 or to Penny at McLean Village on 6722 2655.