All NewsNews about Health and Human Services in Tasmania. Follow links for full articles.http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/cost_of_arson_being_tackledHousing Tasmania will continue to work with the Tasmanian Fire Service and Tasmania Police to reduce arson attacks on its properties. Housing Tasmania has successfully reduced the cost of arson by 59 per cent to $2.373 million in 2011-2012 compared with $5.760 million in 2010-2011. Between July and September 2012,http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/simple_guide_to_healthier_workplacesA new tool to help Tasmanian employers improve workplace productivity, health and safety was launched on 26 October 2012. The guide shows Tasmanian businesses how to establish a workplace health and wellbeing program or improve their existing practices. A healthy workplace is good for business and for employees and theirhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/carols_by_candlelight_to_have_clear_airCarols by Candlelight services across Tasmania will be smoke-free this year as part of State Government measures to combat the health implications of smoking. Director of Public Health Dr Roscoe Taylor said it marked another positive development in the legislative reforms passed by State Parliament in March this year. "Tasmaniahttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/new_lease_of_life_for_stainforth_courtOne of Hobart's oldest public housing unit complexes is set to get a new lease of life. Stainforth Court at Cornelian Bay will receive a $5 million State Government funded redevelopment, with work in the complex due to be completed by December 2013. The redevelopment will deliver better facilities forhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/high_satisfaction_with_ambulance_tasmaniaAmbulance Tasmania has once again achieved outstanding results in a recent survey of patient satisfaction. The results, released by the national Council of Ambulance Authorities, are testament to the professionalism and skill of Tasmania's emergency workers. Tasmanians have access to a very high standard of care and treatment as bornehttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/historic_apology_to_victims_of_forced_adoptionsTasmania has taken a historic step towards healing past injustices by delivering a formal apology to mothers, fathers and their children, who are now adults, hurt by the past practice of forced adoptions. The apology was given on behalf of the Tasmanian community in Parliament on 18 October 2012. Parliamentarianshttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/online_help_available_for_tasmanian_cancer_patientsA new online directory providing greater support for Tasmanians with cancer, their families and the health professionals who care for them was launched on 17 October 2012. The directory brings help and support together in one place to make it as easy as possible for patients. The directory was developedhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/annual_reportThe DHHS Annual Report 2011-12 provides highlights and figures outlining the department’s many activities across health, human services and children portfolios during financial the year. The Annual Report was presented to State Parliament on 18 October 2012. 2011 - 2012 DHHS Annual Report - Introduction and Part 1 - Agencyhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/save_triple_zero_for_saving_livesAmbulance Tasmania has launched its Save Triple Zero for Saving Lives advertising campaign urging Tasmanians to call triple zero only in real emergencies. The campaign is in response to unnecessary triple zero calls tying up emergency resources, which can delay ambulances reaching real emergencies. Last year Ambulance Tasmania responded tohttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/disability_services_provide_more_supportThe expansion of a disability service provider to new premises on Hobart's eastern shore will offer more services for Tasmanians living with disability. STAR Tasmania's new premises in Alexandra Esplanade, Bellerive were officially opened on 9 October 2012. STAR Tasmania helps Tasmanians with disability by providing support for 41 residentshttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/dhhs_progress_chart_-_september_2012The Department of Health and Human Services has released the September issue of Your Health and Human Services Progress Chart http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/visitormentor_program_for_young_peopleDescription: Children and Youth Services in the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking to engage an appropriately qualified organisation to develop and deliver a high quality state-wide program that assists young people in State care achieve personal goals and supports them to become successfully independent. Development of long-termhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/new_quick_response_ambulance_sedan_launchedAmbulance Tasmania launched a new paramedic first intervention vehicle on 25 September 2012 to shave critical minutes from response times for Tasmanians in emergency situations. The sedan, on trial for six months in southern Tasmania, is staffed by a single paramedic available to be deployed to emergency hotspots. The speciallyhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/campaign_launched_to_combat_elder_abuseA new campaign aimed at tackling elder abuse will begin screening throughout Tasmania on 21 September 2012. The Elder Abuse is Not Okay campaign sends a clear message that the abuse of older Tasmanians will not be tolerated. Elder abuse can take many forms – physical, emotional or financial –http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/new_hospital_laundry_for_northA new hospital laundry will be built in Launceston to service Northern Tasmania's public hospitals. Tasmanian company BlueLine has won the contract to provide linen services to the Launceston General Hospital and eight primary health sites. BlueLine plans to build a new laundry at a greenfield site in Launceston withinhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/cancer_screening_saving_livesA record number of cancer screenings in recent months means more Tasmanian women will survive breast and cervical cancer. Awareness campaigns in May and June have prompted an increase in breast screening alone of nearly 700 women in July and August. This increase in screening is significant because early detectionhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/extra_elective_surgery_to_beginHundreds of Tasmanians will soon benefit from new Australian Government health funding as elective surgery procedures start to flow later in September. The State and Australian Governments have signed an agreement to deliver about 2600 procedures throughout the state over the next four years. The agreement means at least 500http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/housing_help_for_young_mums_and_mums-to-beA new supported accommodation service for young mothers and mothers-to-be in the Launceston area was launched on September 13. The Young mums n’ bubs service will encourage positive self-development and parenting skills for young mums and mums-to-be aged 16 and 19 years. Young mums n’ bubs will help look afterhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/new_lgh_emergency_departmentLaunceston General Hospital’s new $12 million Emergency Department was officially opened on Monday September 10. The redevelopment, which has more than doubled the size of the old department, is already delivering greater patient care, comfort and safety. It will help ensure the LGH continues to provide an exceptional level ofhttp://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/news/2012/1400_new_affordable_homes_for_tasmaniansThe newly-released Tasmanian Affordable Housing Construction Program Report 2012 showcases how the Australian and State Governments, not-for-profit sector, investors and building and construction industry have combined to deliver 1 400 new affordable homes. The 1 400 new affordable homes for vulnerable Tasmanians were delivered on time by 30 June 2012