Jo Skinner

2 weeks ago | puffnstuff.com.au | Jo Skinner

A childhood illness inspired her career choice, but medicine always had a rival … At the primary school I attended, there was a plinth in the foyer with a statue of an ANZAC soldier poised on top. One day, the school was advised that there was a time capsule hidden inside and the entire school gathered around the plinth for a ceremonial unveiling to see what it contained.

3 weeks ago | eurekastreet.com.au | Jo Skinner

However, it is Dr Edward Jenner who is regarded as the pioneer of vaccination when he realised that people infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox. In 1796, he famously inoculated an-eight-year-old, James Phipps with material from a cowpox sore. Two months later Jenner inoculated James with smallpox. James did not get infected and is considered the first human to be vaccinated.

1 month ago | eurekastreet.com.au | Jo Skinner

I pulled the pin on work when Alfred’s arrival became imminent and waited at home with my family, our emergency plans in place. When Alfred reached the suburbs, the streets were soon awash, with trees felled by wind and power cut to 300,000 homes. We got off lightly — no power and no internet for two days. Others waited a week or more for power to be restored, while many lost their homes and personal possessions. It was back to business as usual the following week.

1 month ago | mindfood.com | Jo Skinner

Our busy lives often stop us from taking life-saving tests. Yet routine preventive practices can not only have a profound impact on our individual wellbeing but on the health of society as a whole. I saved a life last week. I encouraged Mel to do a bowel cancer test and she rolled her eyes.

1 month ago | eurekastreet.com.au | Jo Skinner

Unfortunately, a standard medical consultation is only fifteen minutes and there is pressure to make a diagnosis, to examine a patient, arrange appropriate investigations and to initiate a management plan during this brief period. With most surgeries now forced to charge a gap fee, patients are reluctant to attend for several sessions so there is a limited time frame in which to learn about each patient as a person and to provide good, comprehensive care.