Expert help on hand

It is the summer holiday season; time for end-of-year festivities and outdoor fun. It is also the peak season for accidents, injuries and heat-related health issues.
If you are holidaying or living in the Geelong or Bellarine region over the summer, you need to know where to go for expert help if you get hurt or need help with your health.
St John of God Geelong Hospital, in Myers Street, has the region’s first private emergency department where staff are waiting to provide you with outstanding care should you need it.
Be careful out there. If you do need help, come and see our caring and professional staff at the St John of God Geelong Hospital Emergency Department.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Marine injuries
Staff see plenty of marine injuries at this time of year. People come into the Emergency Department looking for help with everything from stubbed toes, fish hook and surfboard injuries to stings from jellyfish, sea urchins and stingrays.
Any of these injuries could be bad enough to warrant a visit to the Emergency Department where highly trained doctors and care givers can provide professional help.
While stings from jellyfish, sea urchins or stingrays are unlikely to be fatal, they can result in bacterial infection and these injuries need professional attention.
Heat stroke
On very hot days at this time of year, people are at risk of heat stroke, which in some cases can be life threatening.
Heat stroke particularly affects the elderly, whose risk can be increased if they are on certain medications. Often, older citizens don’t dress appropriately for the heat and they are the group least likely to turn on an air conditioner or fan.
An elderly person suffering heat stroke may be dizzy, disoriented or confused. It is important to move them out of the heat into a cool or air-conditioned environment. If their symptoms don’t improve, it is critical to seek medical advice. Heat stroke can be very serious for the elderly and often requires hospitalisation.
Snake bites
Throughout the summer months, snakes are active and can be a potential threat to anyone walking around in the great outdoors – particularly if near a river or some other body of water.
If you do happen to get bitten, keep calm, immobilise the limb, apply a compression bandage and call an ambulance urgently. Don’t apply a tourniquet and don’t wash the bite (venom on the skin will help our medical staff identify the species and suitable anti-venom).
Not every snake bite results in envenomation (the injection of venom into the victim), but every snake bite warrants a visit to hospital – just to be sure. Generally, health outcomes are excellent if you seek immediate medical attention.
St John of God Geelong Hospital, 80 Myers Street, Geelong. Phone: 5226 8811 or go to www.sjog.org.au