By Ann Marie Angebrandt
STARTLING new statistics released by the State Government show that alcohol is responsible for the death of almost 40 Wyndham residents each year.
It also caused 260 hospital admissions, and was to blame for close to 400 cases of family violence and assaults in Wyndham.
These statistics, and a range of others, will be used as the Wyndham City Council develops its latest three-year municipal public health plan.
A public seminar was held last week for the community to give input into the plan.
Other issues include Wyndham’s shortage of doctors, and the city’s relatively high rate of mental health problems, obesity and diabetes.
Mayor Shane Bourke said community input for the last plan helped introduce several successful campaigns, including a family violence action plan.
Terry O’Brien, CEO of Wyndham’s main community health centre ISIS Primary Care, said cash for community services always lagged behind demand.
The centre provided services at its Warringa Crescent site ranging from podiatry to problem gambling courses.
“Health services should be part of the social infrastructure when we plan new communities,” he said.
“We put in sewers and footpaths before we plan for health and social needs.”
