My Region - Midwest

The second edition of the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (the Charter) was released in August 2019. It describes the rights that consumers, or someone they care for, can expect when receiving healthcare in Australia.

To support implementation of the Charter, the Commission has developed a guide for consumers. This guide provides consumers with information on their healthcare rights and how to discuss concerns with their healthcare provider or service.

The Commission invites you to view the draft consumer guide and provide feedback via an online survey. The survey takes approximately 25-30 minutes to complete. You can choose to... Continue reading

The Productivity Commission is keen to hear your views on their draft recommendations. What are they getting right, what needs further refinement and what's missing?

The hearing will interest a wide range of consumers, carers and other stakeholders which contribute to improving mental health for people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

Register now to discuss the inquiry draft report. Read a copy of the draft report on mental health.

For further information, contact Tracey Horsfall on 02 6240 3261.

BreastScreen WA will be visiting Exmouth from 6 to 19 December 2019. If you are a woman aged 40 or over, you can access the free screening mammography visiting service.

Breast cancer is the most common life threatening cancer for women and 1 in 8 women in Australia will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Having a screening mammogram every two years significantly increases the chance of a woman surviving breast cancer and reduces the treatment required. More than 75% of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50. Research shows that screening is most effective for this... Continue reading

The first phase of the Inside My Mind campaign was largely successful, with high exposure in the Midwest.

The main goal was to help people recognise the symptoms of depression and anxiety, either in themselves or others, and encourage them to seek help, ultimately reducing suicide rates within the Midwest.

Videos were created to tell the story of two Midwest community members with lived experience of depression and these were displayed in a variety of ways across multiple channels.

The campaign had more than three million impressions across a range of media including television, radio, social and digital media, cinema... Continue reading

Each year, the combined Rotary Clubs of Geraldton come together to promote mental health for Annual Red Hat Day. Mental health services provide stalls and information for the public.

This included WA Country Health Service, WAPHAs Suicide Prevention team, headspace, Midwest Yellow Ribbon for Life and a Northampton community member who has commenced a lived experience support group.

As part of the Midwest Suicide Prevention Trial, WAPHA sponsored the keynote speaker Tony Allan, an ex-farmer from Mingenew who also featured in our Inside My Mind campaign. Tony spoke about his journey with depression and encouraged everyone, especially men, to talk... Continue reading

***Advocare Education Session - Geraldton 26 & 27 November 2019***

This project is a collaborative approach between WACHS, Advocare and WAPHA.

This initiative has come from recognition of the complexities of “Elder Abuse” and is a response to develop the capability of health providers to respond to the abuse of older people.

Advocare will be providing an introductory session to the learning experience based on “Elder Abuse Protocol: Guidelines for action” booklet, developed by Advocare in association with Dr Barbara Blundell, Curtin University and the Alliance for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (APEA). The information provided within this... Continue reading

headspace Geraldton is excited to offer a bush adventure therapy camp for 12 - 14 year olds in conjunction with Bush Heritage Australia.

Young people will be immersed in the therapeutic natural environment where they will explore how to tame that emotional roller coaster.

It is not a requirement that you have been to headspace Geraldton before. Places are limited, so to find out more, or to secure your spot, contact 9943 8111.

Cost - $100 including all meals, camping, activities and transport. All gear is provided, but it is requested you bring your own sleeping bag.

When: depart 7... Continue reading

In this month’s Better health, together video, WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington chats to City of Albany Mayor, Dennis Wellington about our partnership in delivering the Compassionate Communities project.

The project, which targets communities in the Great Southern, is a whole of community approach to increasing awareness of end of life, and empowering people to live and die well, at home where possible. Read more

Jacki Ward, WAPHA Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Midwest was at the Mingenew Expo recently to launch the Checkmate program with the help of Josh Kennedy.

WA Primary Health Alliance, as part of the Midwest Suicide Prevention Trial, Alliance Against Depression Framework, are supporting the Checkmate Men's Mental Health Initiative in conjunction with the Mingenew Community Resource Center and community members.

The Checkmate program is focused on giving men an avenue to access information and to have open conversations about their thoughts and experiences in a safe and private setting. The Checkmate mission is 'to develop a practical program to be utilised... Continue reading

In this month’s Better Health, Together video, our CEO, Learne Durrington chats to Professor Rhonda Marriott, Pro Vice Chancellor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership and Director of the Ngangk Yira Research Centre at Murdoch University, to discuss key issues in Aboriginal health and how we can all do more to improve Aboriginal health and wellness.

WA Primary Health Alliance works to improve health equity by increasing access to primary healthcare and planning, guiding and directing investment towards important services.

Five of the ways we are working with partners to deliver better health for Aboriginal people across the state... Continue reading