SMALL BAR PROTEST NOT ABOUT PATIENTS

 

There appears to be a bit more to the small bar protest story in Fremantle’s High Street than the initial newspaper report this morning revealed.

This is not just the case of a psychiatrist wanting to protect his patients who have drug, alcohol and suicide issues, but much more about protecting his own patch. It’s classic not in my backyard stuff.

It turns out the good doctor actually lives at the premises and works from home next to the proposed bar and he clearly does not want his evening peace disturbed.

The bar proponents tell me it will just be a tiny 50-patron bar in the cellar with table service and no outdoor area.

Living in the inner city means one has to compromise and realise there will be bars and pubs and entertainment, and a tiny bar operated by responsible operators won’t create anti-social havoc in the West End that is in dire need of  night-time activation.

To put a mental health clinic in an entertainment area is puzzling.

Roel Loopers

FREO PSYCHIATRIST BELIEVES BAR NEXT DOOR WOULD BE STRANGE COMPANY

 

I find it rather strange to read on Perth Now/Sunday Times on-line that a Fremantle psychiatric clinic operator objects to a new small bar proposal at 10 High Street in the historic West End.

Psychiatrist Dr Keven O’Daly told Perth Now it would be totally inappropriate to have a bar next to his premises where they deal with drug, alcohol and suicide issues.

The proposed bar would be a sister bar to the great Strange Company bar in Nairn Street that is very popular and last Monday even introduced a book club. The new bar would operate from 4.30 pm to midnight, so mostly when the clinic next door would be closed for business.

It is rather bizarre that Dr O’Daly opened his clinic in High Street where there are already licensed premises when that is a concern for his clients. The temptation to grab a drink would be a lot less outside the cbd one would think.

Roel Loopers

WATCH YOUR STEPS IN MARKET STREET!

 

 

A collapsed paver in front of the Fremantle Postoffice at Market Street is a serious health hazard.

It is a very busy stretch of road and it will only be a matter of time until a pedestrian trips over it and falls on his/her face, or breaks a hip, arm, writs or collarbone, so something should be done about it fast.

Roel Loopers

LOOPY HAVING WEE BREAK

Hey Freo’s View readers.

My apologies for not posting new articles the last three days, but I was in Rockingham Hospital for a prostate operation.

The public health system is pretty amazing and all went exceptionally well. I never though I would be excited about the sound and sight of wee. ; >)

All will be back to normal from Monday on. I need to have a quiet weekend to recover first.

Roel Loopers

THE MANKIND PROJECT

Men are not as tough and macho as society would like us to believe. There are many men who suffer in silence and isolation from depression and other mental health problems  because they are too ashamed to admit to having problems.

The ManKind Project hopes to help address men’s issues, so check out the details on the poster below.

They meet on Thursday May 4 at 7 pm at A Place To Be, 4A preston Point Road, East Fremantle.

LET’S BE COMPASSIONATE ABOUT EUTHANASIA

Good to hear that the new WA Health Minister Roger Cook is saying that we need to have a community discussion about voluntary euthanasia in Western Australia.

Euthanasia has got nothing to do with religion or any of the gods people believe in but it is about humanity and dying with dignity.

We don’t allow animals to suffer and euthanise them when they no longer have a good quality of life, but we do keep people alive who should be able to decide if they want to go because the suffering is unbearable and there is no hope of recovery.

A Sunday Times survey last year found that nearly 90 per cent of Western Australians support voluntary euthanasia, and I do too!

Roel Loopers

SUPPORT THE GIBBOFEST AT CLANCYS!

Don’t forget to head out to Clancy’s this Saturday from 4 pm for the fundraiser for musician Steve Gibson who has been diagnosed with cancer.

There is a fantastic line-up of local musos to support their mate at this family friendly event at Princess May Park.

Tickets are only $ 25,00 for a great balmy night out and help someone who deserves our support.

All proceeds are going to Steve Gibson and his young family.

Roel Loopers

ASBESTOS FEAR AT ROE 8 CONSTRUCTION SITE

Residents near the Roe 8 highway clearing at the Beeliar Wetlands have raised serious concerns about the lack of dust repression measures by the building contractors. They say the area is a known location for asbestos dumping and that the clearing of the bushland is dangerous for the health of local residents, police officers and workers.

It seems unbelievable that the EPA, Worksafe and unions do not insist on watering trucks being used to spray down the dust at the Roe 8 works, as that is even required in the most remote locations of WA at mining sites.

I have been to hundreds of mines around Australia in the last 30 years and have never not seen dust repression measures at any of them, so why does the WA state government ignore this basic rule of protecting the health of everyone near the construction site?

Roel Loopers

FREO MUSOS SUPPORT SICK MATE AT GIBBOFEST

 

Local music legend Steve ‘Gibbo’ Gibson needs a hand! After being diagnosed with bladder cancer his friends in the industry have answered his call and the big GIBOFEST music festival will be held at CLANCY’S FISH PUB in Fremantle on Saturday January 21.

Get your tickets here. With all proceeds going to Gibbo and his young family. Special headliners to be announced next week. Two stages and lots of love.

http://tickets.oztix.com.au/default.aspx?Event=69349

Check out the Clancy’s Facebook page for other info.

CARING FIONA STANLEY TREATMENT

There is a lot of negativity about public health care, the delay of the new Children’s Hospital and also issues at Fiona Stanley, so it’s good I can write something positive about it.

My experience yesterday at the Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency department was nothing but perfect as far as my treatment was concerned.

The young Irish doctor was extremely thorough in asking questions, to the point that I wondered why my GPs rarely ever ask such probing questions. The nurses were also very efficient, professional and very easy going and I have nothing but praise for the department, its delightful staff and the gentle care they gave me.

The system might be flawed but definitely not where the medical staff is involved. They are pretty perfect, so thank you very much to all the people who looked after me yesterday!

Roel Loopers