Laughter the best medicine

Apresentation of a live governorship award to recently retired Horsham general practitioner Doug Jinks was among highlights of Wimmera Health Care Group’s annual meeting.

Dr Jinks, on accepting his award during the meeting at Coughlin Park, spoke of the importance of humour in medicine.

“I hope my legacy is my somewhat Australian sense of humour,” he said.

“I try to bring a little humour to ZKDW FDQ EH D GLI¿FXOW VLWXDWLRQ DQG , ¿QG LQ WKRVH WLPHV LW FDQ KHOS

“Perhaps laughter is still the best medicine.”

Health group board of management chairwoman Marie Aitken welcomed 90 guests to the meeting, which also featured the release of the 20172018 annual report, quality account, and presentations from four guest speakers.

“We were fortunate to hear presentations from Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital acting chief executive Andrew Saunders about the work of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Health Alliance,” she said.

“We also heard from patient services director Kym Peter about paWLHQW ÀRZ ZKLOH UHVLGHQWLDO VHUYLFHV director Maree Woodhouse spoke about falls prevention.

“Primary and community care director Tony Tuohey did a presentation on the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research Program.

“We are very grateful to the speakers for their efforts in putting the presentations together and delivering them for us.”

Chief executive Catherine Morley VSRNH EULHÀ\ DERXW WKH \HDU WKDW was and the hospital’s goals in the QHDU IXWXUH DQG ¿QDQFH DQG FRUSR rate service director Mark Knights RXWOLQHG WKH KHDOWK VHUYLFH¶V ¿QDQFLDO situation.

Ms Morley acknowledged the many auxiliaries and support groups that worked hard to raise money for the health group.

³7KHLU ¿QDQFLDO FRQWULEXWLRQV DUH directed to purchases which contribute to the ongoing care of our patients and residents and we sincerely thank them for their wonderful work,” she said.

“This includes Horsham and District Orchid Society for the display members did for the meeting.”

Mrs Aitken also spoke fondly of the late Phillip Campbell, who died while a member of the management board in August.

Mrs Aitken presented Mr CampEHOO¶V ZLIH 5KRQGD ZLWK D FHUWL¿ cate of appreciation and a bunch of ÀRZHUV IRU 0U &DPSEHOO¶V \HDUV RI service.

Wimmera Health food-services team for the event. Care Group’s provided supper

RECOGNITION: From left, Wimmera Health Care Group management board deputy chair Richard Goudie, chief executive Catherine Morley, Dr Doug Jinks and chairwoman Marie Aitken during a presentation to Dr Jinks.