Country teams recognised in health-wide excellence awards
In yet another example of the dedication to country communities our professionals are renowned for, five WA Country Health Service (WACHS) services and programs have been named finalists in the 2023 WA Health Excellence Awards.
Each year, the awards celebrate the extraordinary contributions made by dedicated healthcare workers across the health system.
The finalists from across regional WA represent the very best in rural and remote care and include:
Mental Health Co-Response Service, South West - Excellence in Mental Health and Excellence in Rural and Remote Health Care
This program sees our Health Practitioners and Aboriginal Mental Health Workers join Police Officers in co-responding to calls seeking assistance, where mental illness is identified as a likely factor. The program is designed to divert people experiencing mental health distress away from the criminal justice system and connect them with the mental health support services they require.
Great Southern General Practitioner Psychiatry Phone Line - Excellence in Mental Health
Overseen by the Great Southern Mental Health Service Psychiatry team, the phone line supports GPs to manage mental health and alcohol and other drug presentations – ensuring patients are well connected to support services.
Esperance Health Campus, partnering with the Esperance community to improve midwifery care for families - Excellence in Person-Centred Care
After close consultation with local families, consumers and GPs, the team at Esperance Health Campus worked hard to expand the availability of midwifery services locally. This included increased availability of antenatal appointments, positive birthing classes and a full schedule of antenatal classes.
Since its implementation, families have embraced the new model of care, particularly post-natal home visits. Local midwives have also said they feel more empowered and that their connections with families have improved. It’s had an impact on recruitment too, with more midwives looking to build their career in Esperance.
Cancer Services Team, WACHS Cancer Strategy 2017-22 - Excellence in Rural and Remote Health Care
Under the stewardship of the Cancer Services Team, our cancer strategy laid out a clear roadmap for providing country patients with improved access to specialist cancer care closer to home.
Since being implemented in 2017, the strategy has marked some major milestones, including the establishment of four new public haematology services and TeleChemo services – just to name a few!
Pilbara Virtual Gestational Diabetes Service - Excellence in Rural and Remote Health Care
This innovative service provides timely and accessible virtual care to women with gestational diabetes in the Pilbara.
Importantly, the service helps women living remotely in the Pilbara to access care in a culturally safe place with family close by. Patients have said they appreciate how easy it is to access to the service through virtual appointments and follow up, which has minimal disruption to their lives.
Since its implementation, it’s estimated more than 904,991km of travel has been saved per year for consumers using the service.
Congratulations to all of the named finalists and thank you for everything you do to support country communities.
Winners will be announced at an award ceremony on Thursday 7 December at Crown Perth.