My Region - Midwest

To end the year, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington is joined by Board Chair, Dr Richard Choong to reflect on the journey so far, our impact on the primary care sector and what success will look like in five years from now.

WA Primary Health Alliance is making an impact on the fabric of the healthcare environment through our role in creating the right conditions to ensure the best possible health outcomes for all Western Australians, particularly for those who fall through the gaps.

Bridging the divide between what are in effect the two different health systems and... Continue reading

This month, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington chats to LGBTI advocate and WA Primary Health Alliance Community Advisory Council member, Misty Farquhar about the role the primary care sector has to play in ensuring LGBTI people can access safe, inclusive and culturally appropriate health services.

WA Primary Health Alliance has an important leadership role in advocating for safe, inclusive and culturally appropriate services for LGBTI people, a disproportionate number of whom experience poorer mental health outcomes, have higher risk of suicidal behaviours than their peers and experience discrimination, harassment and hostility in many parts of everyday life, including... Continue reading

This month, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington sits down with Minister for Health, Roger Cook MLA to talk about the impact of obesity on Western Australians and our health system.

WA Primary Health Alliance is part of the WA Government’s Obesity Collaborative Steering Group which is tasked with developing a WA Obesity Strategy.

This strategy has stemmed from the inaugural WA Preventive Health Summit, held earlier this year. The one-day summit discussed the importance of prevention and encouraged broader thinking and community engagement around what we can do to encourage healthy lifestyles to reduce and prevent obesity and... Continue reading

The Heart Foundation is seeking WA nurses working in primary care and acute care settings who are passionate about improving the cardiovascular health of their patients, to participate in the free 2018 WA Nurse Ambassador program.

To ensure you get the most out of the program, you will need to attend three full day workshops which are held in Perth from March to June 2019.

The WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) is collaborating with the Heart Foundation to offer travel grants to nurses from rural and remote areas to attend these workshops.

For further information, or to request an application... Continue reading

During Mental Health Week, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) CEO, Learne Durrington sits down to have a conversation with Western Australian Mental Health Commissioner Timothy Marney.

One in five Australians will be affected by a mental health disorder each year. WAPHA is committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of West Australian people.

One of the ways in which WAPHA aims to do this is by working with a range of government services, community organisations and peak bodies to reduce fragmentation between primary care, mental health and alcohol and other drug services and supports in Western Australia.

The Mental... Continue reading

Due to the overwhelming response received from previous workshops, STARA are visiting Geraldton in February 2019 to present another Advanced Supervision Skills course.

The aim of the workshop is to provide participants with a framework to establish an effective and durable supervision/clinical education culture within health and human service organisations.

There are no pre-requisites for this course, however it is most helpful for people who are in positions where they manage staff or have responsibility for a student.

For more information, or to register, please view the STARA website.

Thursday, 4 October
10am registration for 11am start

Avivo will hold its third annual Amazing Race in Geraldton this Thursday to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health issues in the community.

The event will involve teams of two and four people, making their way through 15 interactive stations, completing a different activity at each. Each station is hosted by a local community organisation, many of which support people living with mental illness.

The first team to complete all of the activities will win a $2,000 bike package from Revolutions.

Participants under 12 must be accompanied by an... Continue reading

In this month’s Better Health, Together video, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington talks about My Health Record.

There are many benefits of digital health to patients, and this includes fewer hospital admissions and adverse drug events, reduced duplication of tests, better coordination of care for people with chronic and complex conditions, better informed treatment decisions, and a more effective and efficient healthcare system.

My Health Record is an online summary of a patient’s key health information where they can safely store, access and share important health information. As part of the National Digital Health Strategy, the Australian... Continue reading

West Australian’s are being urged to have their say on the state’s first policy dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of men, with a series of regional forums.

A draft policy has been developed by the Department of Health WA to provide direction on delivering strategies that improve physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing of men and boys living in WA.  Improvements in men’s health require the involvement of a range of agencies, in order to achieve common goals.

A series of public consultation forums will be occurring to provide an opportunity for face-to-face... Continue reading

Following on from our successful Standard Mental Health First Aid training in Mingenew, WAPHA are pleased to be able to offer the workshop in Carnamah on the 11th & 12th July.

What is Standard Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health first aid is the help given to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

Why do this workshop?

The program has been well evaluated both in workplace and community settings and found to be effective in improving mental health... Continue reading