My Region - Midwest

In response to the changing dynamics of the community, the North Midlands Project has launched a Creative @ Home program for people to Act-Belong-Commit during isolation.

The resources available encourage people to stay mentally active and connected with others while having fun, getting creative and learning new things. They're searching the world over to bring you a range of home-based creative activities, workshops, community projects and other helpful resources.

They would love for people to share their creative endeavours at Creative@Home Facebook page, or on Instagram with #creativeathome.

Get your hands moving, colouring or making with creative projects you can... Continue reading

In this month’s Better Health, Together video, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington sits down with Pip Brennan, Executive Director of the Health Consumers’ Council and the Hon Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier, Minister for Health and Mental Health to talk about our partnership in developing the WA Healthy Weight Action Plan 2019-2024.

Read the WA Healthy Weight Action Plan.

The Action Plan, currently in implementation, provides detail on the sustainable changes planned to support people and families who are at-risk of overweight (those at the high end of the healthy weight body mass index range) and those... Continue reading

More than 300 people throughout the Midwest are prepared to better support those in their community with mental health concerns with the help of new first aid skills.

Suicide Prevention Trial Coordinator, Jack Ward has been coordinating training sessions across the Midwest region, with the latest Mental Health First Aid Training course being delivered in Gascoyne Junction.

The training covers topics such as anxiety and depression, suicidal thoughts, psychotic episodes and substance use disorders including alcohol and other drugs.

"It teaches people the skills and knowledge they need to provider early support to friends, families or other people in their... Continue reading

Imagine living and working on a farm on the outskirts of a small country town. Half of your mates are fly-in-fly-out workers, and away for weeks at a time. You used to see the other half down at the local pub. Until it closed. There’s still footy and cricket training, but some days trying to get there while managing the farm feels like an Olympic feat. You feel isolated. You want to talk to someone about it, but your closest mental health specialist is three hours away.

This is the reality for many men living in the Midwest. This is... Continue reading

This two-day workshop is designed for health professionals working with Aboriginal clients to develop their skills in caring for Aboriginal people and their families facing cancer and palliative care.

This workshop will incorporate the "Whisper No More" resource developed by the WA Centre for Rural Health. Whisper No More is a learning package that contains stories from Aboriginal people about their experience of cancer. Understanding more about Aboriginal people's views of cancer and experiences of health care is essential to developing better cancer care and health outcomes. It will help answer some questions, encourage reflection and discussion around health issues... Continue reading

Connect with Diabetes is a free diabetes information session for anyone who would like to know a bit more about the condition.

• find out if you or your family are at risk
• better understand diabetes and the importance of self-management
• find out what you are entitled to receive under the NDSS
• find out what local health services are available in your area
• make small changes to live a healthier life with your family

Bookings are essential as places are limited. To reserve a spot, contact 1300 001 880 or bookings@diabeteswa.com.au before 6 February 2020.

A light afternoon tea will be... Continue reading

Desert Blue Connect aim to empower the community and that starts with doing what you want and need. However, they need your help to get this right, so if you have five minutes to spare they would appreciate it if you could complete a short survey to have your voice heard and help inform what events are planned for 2020.

By completing the survey, you can elect to go into the draw for a free session with Julie Marchetti, Natural Therapies.

Women’s Health Survey

WA Primary Health Alliance has officially been approved for Rainbow Tick accreditation.

We are proud of this achievement as it represents the value we place on supporting, respecting and celebrating the individual differences of our staff and the broader WA community.

Our accreditation journey commenced in 2018, where we began working towards meeting six national standards of LGBTI inclusive practices.

These include:

• Organisational capability
• Workforce development
• Consumer participation
• A welcoming and accessible organisation
• Disclosure and documentation, and
• Culturally safe and acceptable services

WA Primary Health Alliance General Manager Chris Kane said given our vision of equitable health outcomes across WA... Continue reading

In this month’s Better Health, Together video, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington sits down with Dr Norman Swan from the ABC Health Report to talk about our increasing focus on improving care for people living with chronic heart failure.

We will be exploring opportunities for collaborative action on chronic heart failure, which is most commonly due to underlying coronary heart disease and prior myocardial infarction, hypertension and diabetes.

This recognises:

the significant burden of disease chronic heart failure represents in the Western Australian community, which is even more significant in country areas and among the Aboriginal community.

The... Continue reading

In this Better health, together video, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington had the opportunity to chat to Cancer Council WA CEO, Ashley Reid about our partnership in the 13 Cancers LiveLighter campaign.

WA Primary Health Alliance has been named as the primary care partner in Cancer Council WA’s 13 Cancers LiveLighter public awareness campaign.

The campaign focusses on the contribution of sugary drinks to dangerous toxic fat around the organs which can trigger 13 types of cancer.

As the primary care partner, WA Primary Health Alliance has committed to ensure GPs are trained and equipped in talking to... Continue reading