Healthcare

Southcoast Hospitals is offering a free prostate cancer awareness program and screenings in Fall River and New Bedford during the month of September.

Community Nurse & Hospice Care (CNHC) and The Royal of Fairhaven have partnered together for a new annual family-oriented fundraiser called “Walk, Rock & Roll at The Royal” on Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a rain or shine event with parking at the Fairhaven High School.

New Bedford, Massachusetts - The following New Bedford recreational beach areas are closed today due to excessively high enterococcus counts, a public health risk to bathers.

The following sections of East Beach are closed:

O’TOOLE BEACH
TOWER 1
TOWER 4

The following New Bedford beaches will re-open today based on enterococcus counts that have dropped to acceptable levels.

The following section of the Fort Taber Beach area is re-opened:

TABER BEACH SOUTH

The following section of West Beach is re-opened.

SQUID BEACH

All New Bedford public beaches will be tested again tomorrow to assess bacterial counts and to determine if it will be safe to re-open all beaches on Saturday.

For more information of exact location of beach closures please visit the Massachusetts Department of Health’s website for maps of the area beaches at http://mass.digitalhealthdepartment.com/public_21/beaches.cfm?btown=new%20bedford

New Bedford Health Department
Marianne De Souza, Director of Public Health
508-991-6199

New Bedford, Massachusetts- All New Bedford public beaches are re- Opened to swimming after 48 Hours of careful monitoring by the New Bedford Police Department Port Security Team and the United States Coast Guard.

The United States Coast Guard recently completed an aerial sweep of the New Bedford coastline, beginning in the area of the initial shark sighting off the coast of Ft. Taber, informing the City that the water is safe for re-entry.

The New Bedford Port Security Team, the United States Coast Guard and the State Police will continue to patrol area over the weekend for protective measures.

New Bedford, Massachusetts — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced that tonight’s aerial spraying against mosquitoes will not take place in New Bedford. Spraying will continue tonight in higher risk communities North of New Bedford and has been scheduled to begin in the New Bedford area tomorrow evening, Saturday, August 7, 2010 (weather permitting) between the hours of 8:00pm and 3:00am.

New Bedford, Massachusetts — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced that tonight’s aerial spraying against mosquitoes will not take place in New Bedford.

Spraying will begin tonight in higher risk communities North of New Bedford and has been tentatively scheduled to begin in the New Bedford area tomorrow evening, Friday, August 6, 2010 (weather permitting) between the hours of 8:00pm and 3:00am.



All New Bedford residents are asked to remain indoors during spraying hours to reduce/eliminate exposure risk to the insecticides. As an additional precaution, all New Bedford parks and beaches will be closed at 7:30pm and all recreational activities after 7:30pm will be cancelled.

New Bedford, Massachusetts- All New Bedford public beaches are closed to swimming effective 8pm Wednesday, August 4, 2010 after a reported shark sighting about one mile off the coast of Fort Taber.

Beaches will remain closed to swimming until Port Security has confirmed the water is safe for re-entry.

New Bedford, Massachusetts — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced that tonight’s aerial spraying against mosquitoes has been CANCELLED due to poor weather conditions.

Aerial spraying is scheduled to take place on the evening of Thursday, August 5th (weather permitting) in selected areas of southeastern Massachusetts, including most of New Bedford between the hours of 8:00pm and 3:00am.

New Bedford, Massachusetts - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) working in collaboration with the New Bedford Health Department Municipal Laboratory has identified a harmful algae bloom on Sassaquin Pond located in the far north end of the city.



Effective immediately, the Sassaquin Pond is closed to all recreational use including swimming, wading, boating and fishing. Engaging in any of the described activities is a public health risk.

New Bedford, Massachusetts — Governor Deval Patrick announced today that aerial spraying against mosquitoes will take place on the evening of Wednesday, August 4th (weather permitting) in selected areas of southeastern Massachusetts, including most of New Bedford. The exact time and location will be released during the day tomorrow, August 4th. Residents are encouraged to monitor their local media outlets, including the radio, cable access and newspaper websites, for up to the minute information.

Southcoast Hospitals' present "A Day of Women’s Health"

At the Center for Women’s Health
300 Faunce Corner Rd., Dartmouth
Saturday, October 2
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join us for a day of health, wellness and education.

Try out our free offerings:
Reflexology
Reiki
Acupuncture
Chair Massages
Body Sculpting
Fabulous Foundation by Nancy

Panel Discussion on women’s health issues

Screenings on the Southcoast Health Van:
Bone density
Glucose
Blood pressure

Also:
Hourly raffles
Breakfast

For more information call: (508) 998-0600

Community Nurse & Hospice Care (CNHC) and The Royal of Fairhaven have partnered together for a new annual family-oriented fundraiser called “Walk, Rock & Roll at The Royal” on Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a rain or shine event.

New Bedford, Massachusetts – The New Bedford Division of Animal Control released a report today indicating that two skunks have tested positive for rabies. Both animals were found in the far North end of the city.

People can help to protect themselves and their loved ones by taking the following precautions:

Ø Do not pick up, touch or feed wild or stray animals of any kind.
Ø Do not leave pet food outside for your own animals or for strays.
Ø Avoid sick or strange-acting animals.
Ø Vaccinate all cats and dogs against rabies. Massachusetts state law requires that all pet cats and dogs receive a rabies vaccine.
Ø Store garbage in containers and fasten lids tightly.
Ø Notify the Division of Animal Control at (508) 991-6366 if you see an animal acting strange or disoriented.
Ø If you are bitten or scratched by any animal you should promptly scrub the wound with soap and warm water for five minutes and see a doctor immediately.
Ø If your pet is bitten or scratched by another animal, call the veterinarian and wear gloves when handling or cleaning your pet. Afterwards, wash your hands thoroughly.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Sports Performance & Orthopedic Rehabilitation Team (SPORT) is offering a free lecture on how to safely prevent and identify concussions in young athletes. The lecture will be held on Wed., Aug. 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Southcoast SPORT at Dartmouth Place, 49 State Road, Mashpee Building, Dartmouth, Mass.

New Bedford, Massachusetts - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced today that the risk for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in people has increased in a large part of southeastern Massachusetts, including New Bedford.

MDA would like to give special thanks to not only the New Bedford firefighters for volunteering their time, but also to the local community who donated to this very important cause. All of the proceeds raised will go towards MDA’s services, research programs, and support groups which benefit local individuals and families affected by neuromuscular disease.

The City of New Bedford has installed a snow fence around the Buttonwood Park Pond today in an effort to restrict entry into the pond by the general public and both wild and domestic animals.

Effective June 28, 2010, the Buttonwood Park Pond is closed until further notice to all recreational use including swimming, wading, boating and fishing due to recent test results indicating high bacteria counts. Engaging in any of the described activities is a public health risk and will be subject to fines.

New Bedford Health Department
Marianne De Souza, Director of Public Health
508-991-6199

All beaches within Fort Taber Park will re-open to swimming today, July 16, 2010 based on enterococcus counts that have dropped to acceptable levels.

New Bedford Health Department
Marianne De Souza, Director of Public Health
508-991-6199

The following New Bedford recreational beach areas are closed today due to excessively high enterococcus counts, a public health risk to bathers.

FORT TABER PARK BEACH AREAS

All New Bedford public beaches will be tested again tomorrow to assess bacterial counts and to determine if it will be safe to re-open all beaches on Friday.

New Bedford Health Department
Marianne De Souza, Director of Public Health
508-991-6199

New Bedford, Massachusetts- Due to the unseasonably hot weather conditions and an air quality alert in effect for the greater New Bedford area, the City of New Bedford Department of Emergency Management has designated several city buildings as cooling centers for Tuesday, July 6, 2010.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke’s Hospital has teamed up again this year with area Domino’s Pizza stores in a “Pizza for a Pint” promotion during the month of July.

IDG’s CIO magazine announced Southcoast Health System as a recipient of the 2010 CIO 100 Award. The 23rd annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - The Southcoast Health Van and Southcoast Blood Bank announce next month’s schedule for community screenings and blood drives.
Free mobile health services available by the Southcoast Health Van Staff:

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals will be hosting a “Summer is Here” mammography special at four locations during the week of June 14.

Sponsored by Southcoast Hospitals Breast Health Services, patients who schedule their mammogram during the promotion on specific days and times will also receive a free skin damage screening by the American Cancer Society. Summer seasonal refreshments will be served and each participant will receive a free gift.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Blood Bank will be giving two free tickets to a New Bedford Bay Sox baseball game to all blood donors who give blood in the month of June.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — John B. Day announced today his intention to retire in July 2011 as President & CEO of Southcoast Health System after more than 32 years, capping a career that improved access to advanced medical services by bringing a strong regional approach to health care.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals’ Breast Imaging Centers are the first in the South Coast region to be designated as Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Southcoast offers breast health services at nine centers across Southeastern Massachusetts and are the mammography providers in the region to have this designation.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group has teamed up with University Pathologists LLC allowing access to pathology services that were previously only offered by outside referral. The partnership offers patients academic level expertise with a quicker turnaround time for results.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - The Southcoast Health Van provides free education and screenings for the community addressing cardiac disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. It also serves as an off-site blood donation center for the Southcoast Blood Bank.

Southcoast Hospitals will be holding an open house for the new Southcoast Wound Care Center in Fall River and to celebrate Southeast Rehabilitation Center's 20th Anniversary.