Our videos

There are now three education DVDs for parents, teachers, teenagers and children (including "Beat the Bug" for primary schools), and a fourth medical DVD for doctors, nurses and paramedics.

The programs have been written and produced by Kay Stammers – former TV news presenter and medical reporter, now film-maker and author – along with co-executive producer, Tristan Parry, who together run Media One – a creative agency and production house specialising in healthcare communications (www.mediaone.com.au). Because funding is limited, they have had to partially fund all of these productions from their own pockets. Video purchases will go towards covering some of these costs.

TO PURCHASE DVDS IN AUSTRALIA:
Call: (02) 9904 1722
Email: video@mediaone.com.au
OR
Download ORDER FORM

TO PURCHASE DVDS OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA:
Go to Amazon.com

"MANAGING MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE
An essential resource for doctors, nurses, paramedics and students – to help early diagnosis and efficient management of the disease.
(Duration: 40 minutes)

The program is divided into 9 sections for easy access:

1. INTRODUCTION
2. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
3. RECOGNISING THE RASH
4. MAKING THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS
5. MANAGEMENT PRIOR TO HOSPITAL
6. ON ARRIVAL AT EMERGENCY
7. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
8. MANAGEMENT IN HOSPITAL
9. PUBLIC HEALTH

Spokespeople on the program include (in order of appearance):

• Dr Robert Hall
Chair, Communicable Diseases Network Australia
Chair, The Meningococcal Disease Guidelines Working Party (2001), Director, Public Health and Chief Health Officer, Victorian Govt.
• Dr Clay Golledge
Snr Consultant in Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Sir Charles Gairdner, Hospital & the WA Centre for Pathology & Medical Research (PathCentre)
• Prof. Peter Collignon
Snr Consultant in Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, The Canberra Hospital, Professor, Canberra Clinical School ANU, The Meningococcal Disease Guidelines Working Party (2001)
• Dr John Vinen
Director Emergency Support Services, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW
• Prof Robert Booy
Infectious Disease Specialist & Epidemiologist
Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health and School of Public Health, Co-director, National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance (NCIRS)
• Julie Friendship, RN, FCN
Nurse Educator (Emergency Nursing), The College of Nursing, NSW, Director, College of Emergency Nursing Australasia Ltd, Editor in Chief, Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal
• Dr Felicity Bidencope, GP
A proactive GP who has already saved one life due to her prompt actions.
• Dr Shirley Bowen
Director, Communicable Diseases Control Directorate, Dept of Health WA
• Dr Jeremy McAnulty
Director of Public Health, NSW

In addition, more than 20 meningococcal disease victims and/or their families have been interviewed, and detailed case studies included.

15 golden rules for health professionals:

1. Listen closely to the parents, friends or relatives
2. Check if illness had sudden onset of symptoms
3. Be wary of fever which responds poorly to antipyretics
4. Be alert to severe aches or pains in muscles or joints
5. Diagnosis should not depend on presence of meningeal symptoms
6. Check the capillary refill time and peripheral temperature
7. Undress fully to inspect for a rash – do the glass test
8. Don’t wait for a haemorrhagic rash (it may be too late)
9. Don’t be afraid to get a second/specialist opinion
10. Treat as soon as suspected – before transfer or tests
11. Early injection of antibiotics is vital – intravenous is best
12. Manage as a medical emergency
13. If sending home, educate carers re what to look for
14. Closely monitor/reassess any suspicious cases.
15. Notify your Public Health Department.

We are now hoping the incoming NSW Health Minister, and/or the Federal Government, will take up the gauntlet and fund the distribution of this potentially life-saving resource to all general practices and hospitals.”

Preview the video

"FIGHTING MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE"
(Duration: 33 minutes)

A clear and informative 30 minute video which tells you everything you need to know to recognise the early symptoms of meningococcal disease, and what to do. Essential viewing for anyone with children – especially those in the high risk groups of 0-5 and 15-25 years. Also invaluable for teachers, child carers, teenagers, young adults, sportspeople, student doctors and nurses and health professionals.

Contents include: Overview, Catching the disease, Who's at risk, Understandng the illness, Recognisnig the signs, The septicaemic rash, Summary of symptoms, Action to take, Treatment, Long term effects, Vaccinaton, Precautions to take.

This video has been endorsed by Meningococcal Australia Inc – including the Stephen Sanig Foundation, the Amanda Young Foundation and the Paige Weatherspoon Foundation (see Support), as well as the Meningitis Foundation and the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

Scroll down for details of the student video, "Don't catch the killer":

"DON'T CATCH THE KILLER'
(Duration: 23 minutes)

This youth oriented video fills a vital need in the community for a clear, practical, accurate and relevant educational resource on meningococcal disease for secondary and tertiary students, and their parents and teachers.

Teenagers and young adults, aged between 15-25, are at a high risk of catching meningococcal disease, primarily because of their social lifestyle, and ignorance as to precautions to take and symptoms to watch out for. This video draws on the experience of six straight talking young adults who have battled the deadly disease, with varying outcomes.

"It is well produced, educationally sound and appropriate for students in Department of Education and Training schools. All government schools would benefit from the use of this resource."
- Paul Albert, Director General, Dept of Education and Training, WA

"They found it very informative and confronting - it kept two combined classes silent which is no mean feat! As a parent (15yo and 17yo) and teacher, I found it very good."
- Linda Herbert, Teacher Science-Biology, Years 11-12, SCECGS Redlands, Sydney.