The Education at Sea cruise on Pacific Aria was a real hoot; the work environment was excellent, those attending were all happy and the shore days very enjoyable even though a bit of a shock at times.  The islands we visited were incredibly beautiful with lush forests and surrounded by pristine waters full of coral reefs and colorful tropical fish while the weather was fine and hot. 

Unfortunately P&O may not be doing this cruise again any time in the future, but I note there are other cruise lines that will be doing similar schedules next year.

We are reaching the end of our busy schedule for 2019 and looking forward to a holiday cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II in January, visiting New Zealand of course after spending some time around the southern parts of Australia.  One of the three Cunard "Queens" we have not sailed on previously but believe it is very much the same as the Queen Mary II which we have been on several times.

Our next work schedule for New Zealand will commence in Wellington 9th March 2020 and go through to just before Easter. We have events in Wellington, Auckland, Gisborne, Hamilton and possibly New Plymouth on this trip, a very busy schedule.  We hope to catch up with old clients and meet a lot of new ones also during this period.

It is hoped we can get the Chest X-rays book converted to a digital download also before the end of the year.  Graham has simply been too busy to complete the task so we are going to engage someone to do this for us as soon as possible as we are constantly asked when will this be available and though we were optimistic that it would be done long before now it just didn't happen.

We have been able to get the digital version of 'Un-complicating Life - Simply" up on the website for purchase for $10.00.  It is a PDF version which is the most convenient for the majority.

In case we don't get another post done before the holiday break we would like to thank all our past clients for their attendance at our seminars and for supporting us in our quest to bring quality nursing education to you in an enjoyable format that we hope will enhance your care of our hospital patients.  May you and your family have an enjoyable festive season, safely and with good health.
We look forward to 2020 and hope this will be your best year ever!

​Graham & Anne 

Another infrequent update.
The September round of events went well with visits to Auckland, Hawke's Bay and Christchurch.
For relaxation afterwards we had a few days in Queenstown before boarding a cruise ship from Auckland for the trip back to Australia - beats flying!

We will be busy with courses in Australia this month and the early part on November, then will be doing the seminar for EDUCATION AT SEA​ - 'Recognition and Clinical Assessment of the Deteriorating Patient' from 19 November - 29 November 2019 out of Brisbane visiting Papua New Guinea on  P & O Pacific Aria.

After spending the last of April, all May and the first week of June travelling to various locations on both the north and south islands doing seminars we are back in Australia until our return early September for a full month of seminar again at locations on both the north and south islands.

We will miss the coldest part of the year for New Zealand, though Australia is having some nasty weather that we will have to endure anyway.

I have added some events and dates for next year to the website so you can do some planning well ahead of time. 

Anne has been negotiating with Education at Sea and Nurses for Nurses for another cruise seminar in May 2020, this time Alaska.  When all the arrangements are finalised I'll add more details and a link to the registration and information pages for those interested in considering this event.

Another 10 DAY CRUISE with Anne, this one is filling rapidly and has limited numbers so don't delay or you could miss out.  Going to PNG!
EDUCATION AT SEA​ - Recognition and Clinical Assessment of the Deteriorating Patient
19 November - 29 November 2019 - Brisbane to Brisbane visiting Papua New Guinea
P & O Pacific Aria - great little ship, friendly staff and good facilities. We checked it out last December!
Costs: Conference Registration $890.00
Please note: Conference registration does not include accommodation or travel cost.
Bookings:  All bookings for this event are being handled by Education at Sea 
(Travel Direct Australia) Please contact Helen, Jason or Elita on +61 (02) 6674 2577
Cruise bookings contact Nurses for Nurses at 07 4151 3884 or Webpage: 
https://www.nursesfornurses.com.au/events/234/Recognition-and-Clinical-Assessment-of-the-Deteriorating-Patient-PNG
​

Happy New Year to all!

The old year is almost finished and a New Year is about to begin, so time to add to this blog.

We have had a little time to relax in the lead up to 2019, and time for reading and researching the latest developments in health, or should that be ill-health?

The statin drug debate continues but the conclusions are becoming more clear-cut in spite of resistance to new knowledge by those who really need to adjust their attitude to the issue.

We have come across this most interesting video from the Australian Broadcast Commission (ABC) which is several years old but summerises the issue very clearly.

Then we found the second video highlighting the the outcome of this program for the presenter where she tells about the response from opponents to the truth; very scary!

We urge you to watch and perhaps it will help you personally if you or your family members are in any way affected.  But please don't expect to be able to have any impact in your clinical practice for the current guidelines are hopelessly behind the times and unlikely to change any time soon in the face of such opposition. Keep safe!

Saturated Fat & Cholesterol Documentary -  https://youtu.be/1pfGTBXkq3g

The resulting respose is explained by Dr. Maryanne Demasi in her address - 'Statin Wars: Have we been misled by the evidence?' -   https://youtu.be/BzTjPuikhQE

If these two videos wet your appetite, take a look at the video on the work of Dr Robert Lustig, an dietary expert and endocrinologist who works in a clinic for obese children as he explains what the real cause of health problems is (and it is NOT saturated fats, or gluttony as we are frequently being told). 
Sweet Revenge Turning the Tables on Processed Food - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z-_6JgMiwA

​We are currently working in New Zealand; a very busy lecture tour which runs until beginning of October.  While Anne is busy lecturing, I find some time for research.  This is what has prompted me to add some enlightening articles to the blog for this month. I would urge all our valuable clients to take the time to read the attached by Dr George Lundberg, then follow the link to another article that presents supporting evidence by Dr Malcolm Kendrick, author of The Great Cholesterol Con and Doctoring Data.
​
These eminent gentlemen have taken off the blinkers and dared to go against the prevailing dogma concerning nutrition and the obesity epidemic.

It may be of personal help to you if you struggle with weight control, and to your families if they too have been influenced by the blatantly inaccurate recommendations formulated by food producers and supported by our "health authorities". 

These doctors are not crackpots, they are far from it. They are both very well informed health professionals that can benefit us all with their wisdom

This last linked article is a bit heavy, but you will soon understand what he is pointing out, and how it relates to the current  dietary recommendations and modalities of treatment for some diseases. 

​drmalcolmkendrick.org/2018/07/03/why-saturated-fat-cannot-raise-cholesterol-levels-ldl-levels/

Enjoy!

We are at the beginning of the August/September tour, starting at Southern Cross North Harbour, then moving on the Rotorua, Hamilton, back to Auckland then down to Wellington, up to Palmerston North and finishing at Hawkes Bay. 

1st October we move back to Gold Coast for a series of courses until the end of the year.

I have been sent the attached flyer by Auckland Medical Research Foundation advertising their free event 28th September which could interest.  It has links for further details and to register.

This interesting article has appeared in Medscape recently.  Thought provoking if we have elderly family who have a raft of health complaints and are on statins - often with no justification!

The New Year is well under way and this is our first post for the year - how slack!

We hope you all had an enjoyable Festive Season and returned to work refreshed and enthusiastic.

Anne and Graham had a break early in 2018 with a cruise from Adelaide to Sydney via New Zealand which was so relaxing and enjoyable we didn't want to leave the ship (Queen Mary 2) but they said we had to get off, our ticket had expired. Oh well, perhaps another time.  Back to cooking and cleaning and making our own bed, no more spotless bathroom with fresh towels every day and room service 24 hours a day.

At present we are touring New Zealand yet again, but this time for work with seminars in Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington and Palmerston North; five  weeks of travel and living in hotels or bach accommodation.  Our next tour is not until September, but meantime we will be busy in Australia with various seminars and courses.

Something totally new to us is a new venture; 23 February - 5 March 2019 we will be doing a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas  from Melbourne to Sydney via New Zealand, a ten-day cruise where Anne will be presenting the seminar 'Recognition and Clinical Assessment of the Deteriorating Patient' for Nurses for Nurses Limited  who arrange regular Education at Sea events for nurses who want to enjoy a cruise holiday combined with professional development credits. 
This promises to be be an enjoyable and interesting time for all who are able to join us on this cruise, as presentations are held on sea days only so you will be able to enjoy all the ports visited on the cruise which include the sounds, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington and Picton. 
When not attending sea day presentations there are so many other activities on board you will be spoilt for choices; you simply can't do everything.  And for those less energetic there are wonderful places to relax or enjoy the spa.  And the evening entertainment is first class. I won't even mention the food, but expect to gain weight unless you exercise some restraint, or increase your exercise greatly in the on-board gym, or walking the decks.

If you want to travel with family that is also an option some may like to consider, but lone travel with like-minded nurses will ensure this is an great experience for lone travellers also.

A really great opportunity which promises to be a memorable occasion for all participants. To find out more go to this link:  https://www.nursesfornurses.com.au/events/220/

We will not be handling the bookings for this event, which are being managed through Education at Sea (Travel Direct Australia) Please contact Helen, Jason or Elita on +61 (02) 6674 2577

Do join us - it will be a wonderful educational opportunity combined with an enjoyable holiday, and may be eligible for tax breaks.

Anne and I wish you and your families all the very best for a happy and safe festive season and thank you for your patronage in the previous year.  We hope to see many of you in the coming year.

I have added another article which would seem very timely with the festive season upon us and it's associated anxiety with eating what may be considered unhealthy foods at this time of year.

The attached article will challenge your previous perceptions about what is 'bad fat' as well as clarify the causes of heart disease.  There are many such research papers which have previously been ignored as they failed to support the popular current beliefs, and it is well-worth exploring these as we re-evaluate the reasons for the generally deteriorating health of our populations.

The truth has been out there all along, but suppressed by those with a financial interest in maintaining false perceptions, with little regard for our health.