Disclosure Policy

In light of the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) Final Guides Governing Endorsements and Testimonials I thought it best practice to post my “Disclosure Policy” even though I live in Australia.

This article titled, “FTC to Fine Bloggers up to $11,000 for Not Disclosing Payments” by Mashable – The Social Media Guide, explains why it makes good sense to get on board with the FTC.

So without further ado here it is:

This disclosure policy is valid from 27 February 2010

“St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst – Male Nurses” is a personal blog written and edited by me.

My affiliation with St Vincent’s Hospital goes back to 1974 where I successfully completed three years of hospital based training to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Note: Although I’m not employed by this hospital now, I remain an RN.

Simply put, this blog is my attempt to make contact with my former St Vincent’s classmates (PTS Aug 1975 intake) and to share experiences with others. To date, I have been unable to reconnect with my classmates but I have been blessed by the many new acquaintances and friends that have come my way. To them I say, “Thank you!”

For questions about my blog, please feel free to contact me via my email address:

1. This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. I write for my own purposes. However, I may be influenced by my background, occupation, religion, political affiliation or experience.
   
   
2. I will never receive compensation in any way from this blog.
   
   
3. I am not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics.
   
   
4. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. If I claim or appear to be an expert on a certain topic or product or service area, I will only endorse products or services that I believe, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.
   
   
5. This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

To get your own policy go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Take Care,
Peter McCartney

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Toads for breakfast, lunch and medicinal purposes

Here in my home state of New South Wales, Australia, we had given up all hope of ever beating the mighty cane toads until now.

No, I’m not talking about Queensland's state of origin - rugby league team that takes on our team every year but the more troublesome four legged variety known as cane toads (Bufo marinus) that reached plague proportions shortly after being introduced to the sunshine state from Hawaii in 1935 in an attempt to control the native cane beetle (Dermolepida albohirtum) in sugar cane fields.

Now numbering two hundred million, cane toads are one of Australia’s greatest scourges with attempts to control their numbers failing miserably.

In a two pronged attack to wipe the smile off their faces, scientists from The University of Sydney and a meat processor have recently hatched plans of their own to reduce their numbers.

The University having already determined that meat ants kill millions of cane toads, have encouraged even more deaths by placing cat food around watering holes in order for them to do battle with adult cane toads and their offspring in greater numbers.

The end result being that ant densities and toad mortalities increased more than fourfold during their studies.

On top of that comes the Queensland meat processor, John Burey, who will export truck loads of cane toads to China for human consumption and traditional medicines such as Chan Su (further info) once his deal is given the green light.

In words similar to those used by the Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam after his dismissal from office by Governor General Sir John Kerr in 1975 - “Well may we say beautiful one day, perfect the next, because nothing will save the cane toads if the scientists and meat processor have their way.”

Besides the fact that the cane toads are out of control, these marauding poisonous giants, with one reported case measuring 8 inches long and weighing 1.9 lbs, are endangering pets, native species, such as the Northern Quoll, native goannas, snakes, and freshwater crocodiles or anything else that decides to eat them or come in contact with them.

Interestingly enough no Australians have been killed by cane toads unlike overseas. If you want to know more about cane toad safety awareness and first aid treatment follow this link.

Another interesting fact are the attempts to cull their numbers by way of making them into bags, head gear, key fobs, purses, wallets and whatever else they can make out of them once the cane toads kick the bucket. BTW I have no affiliation to that last link in case you’re wondering.

For some, death by nine iron or hit for a six with a cricket bat is most favoured by the foolhardy cane toad haters but is totally frowned upon by animal liberationists and the RSPCA.

I’ll leave you now with this cane toad YouTube clip. If you’re reading this on Google Reader here is the link for your viewing please – YouTube Clip

Humorous Cane Toad YouTube Clip

To be continued...

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Happy Valentine’s Day

On this our Valentine’s Day I pledge my undying love,
And only you, my sweet Valentine.
Gifts times three you gave me with all your heart,
A red rose for each new soul, surely not enough, it sorrows me.
Treasured for all eternity, times four.
Now, think not what you can do for us
Heaven knows you've done enough.

Time to make the most of what time is left,
Lay bare your soul to all there is to hold.
Happiness seeks you unceasingly,
So rest between its arms, you deserve it so.
Forever your partner here on earth,
I promise to be your adoring husband.
Soul mates to the end, if it pleases thee.

§

A Valentine’s Day Poem
by Peter McCartney
Dedicated to his darling wife
14th February, 2010

To be continued...

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FeedBurner Lament

Rumor has it that the look of excruciating pain on this man’s face was captured at the instant he found out his mother had cancelled her FeedBurner email subscription to his blog.

Well, this look certainly crossed my face as I read the FeedBurner email informing me that a reader, my mother, had unsubscribed to my blog. Yes, that was the day you could have knocked me over with a feather.

That is until I got her on the phone and sheepishly asked, “Have I done something to offend you as I got this funny email from a mob called FeedBurner telling me you unsubscribed from my blog?”

Quick as a wink mum retorts with, ”Good heavens no! That can’t be right. (pregnant pause) Wait! Now that I think about it, I did cancel one subscription but that was from some hospital I’d never heard of. So, the one I cancelled was from you then?” and with that I cried out “Yes mum” with only the slightest hint of self-righteous indignation in my voice.

”Well then, I’ll go straight back in and subscribe to your wonderful blog”, adds mother with all the enthusiasm in the world. Yes, if only I could have given her a hug and a kiss.

Unfortunately the heaven sent woman that brought me into this world lives south of the border, somewhere between the Back of Bourke and The Black Stump, so a big thank you over the phone had to suffice.

Racked with remorse all that’s left to do now is to poke myself with a sharp stick to deflate a self-inflated ego.

By the way if you want to see what I felt like after mum resubscribed, just click on the image.

To be continued…

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The case for compulsory private health insurance in Australia

For those unfamiliar with Australia’s health insurance system I’ll first go over what’s in place now. There are two covers, one being Medicare, a universal health care system that provides free or low-cost medical, optometrical and public hospital care, and private health insurance.

MEDICARE

Medicare is funded by the Australian Federal Government by way of a compulsory Medicare levy of 1.5% that is enforced on all taxable income except where circumstances allow an Medicare levy exemption.

For individuals without private health insurance and a taxable income greater than $75,000 and no dependents, in addition to the 1.5% Medicare levy, a Medicare levy surcharge of 1% on their taxable income is also enforced.

The same applies for a family with a combined taxable income greater than the family surcharge threshold of around $150,000.

To avoid the Medicare levy surcharge individuals and families must take out private health insurance.

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE

Private health insurance is covered by premiums of varying benefits and costs which are made by its members to the registered health insurers.

Not all Australians have this type of cover for one reason or another, with the high cost of premiums being the main reason people shy away from it.

To encourage families and individuals to take out private health insurance and keep them in, a health insurance rebate of up to 40% is available.

However, from July 2010 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Government will reform the rebate policy, as outlined in the 2009 – 2010 Health Budget's Health and Ageing Portfolio Budget Statements (PDF file), so that it becomes means tested and offered on a sliding scale.

Why? “The three new Private Health Insurance Incentive Tiers will be introduced so that higher income earners receive less carrot and more stick to be insured.”

Making a decision on health insurance

Base Image © PhotoXpress.com

THE CASE FOR COMPULSORY PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE

Without going into the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare and private health insurance the point of this article is to make a case for making private health insurance compulsory for families and individuals whose income is above the relevant surcharge threshold – $150,000 and $75,000 respectively.

Taking into consideration Australia’s aging population crisis, Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan’s Australia to 2050: future challenges report, lengthy elective surgery waiting lists, hospital budget overruns and the considerable shortfalls between the cost of Medicare and funds raised in the Medicare levy, $10 billion for the period 2007 - 2008, it is only right and fair for people to take out private health insurance when they can definitely afford to do so. Why don’t they? Perhaps you can answer that one for me.

The extra benefits that would be gained from the increased funds coming in would surely help the ailing health care system here in Australia, with health insurance premiums no doubt being driven down making this proposal even more attractive.

REMOVING THE OPTON OF PRIVATE HEALTH CARE PATIENTS COMING IN UNDER MEDICARE

Another moot point is that patients with private health insurance are allowed to go into public hospitals as a public patient completely ignoring their private health insurance. Removing this option would further assist the compulsory private health insurance concept if given the green light. Not only would it open the options up for a the patient going into hospital but it would also prevent further draining of Medicare coffers.

So, why are they allowed to do this? Well, hospitals don’t enforce it and if they did, I could only imagine the voter backlash. Why do patients do this? Well, that depends on what they have come in for.

With simple procedures they see this as a way to avoid costs that they would have incurred if going in as a private patient; with more serious conditions making way for private health insurance to come into play.

SOMETHING YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF

The penalty for not taking up hospital insurance cover earlier on in life is covered in the Australian Government’s Lifetime Health Cover. This incorporates a financial loading from 2% to 70% or more that is payable in addition to the premium for private health insurance hospital cover. To avoid paying this extra cost individuals must purchase hospital cover by the 1st July following their 31st birthday.

DECISION TIME

1. So, what is your opinion?
2. Are you for or against compulsory private health insurance?
3. Would this concept work anywhere else in the world?

Have your say now by passing comment on this most important health care issue.

To be continued…

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