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Growing our Aboriginal leaders in the Kimberley 02 December 2020 Seventeen current and emerging Aboriginal leaders from the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Kimberley workforce have recently commenced their leadership journey. Participants will undertake the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management at the Northern Regional TAFE over the next 12 months. The opportunity, funded by WACHS, is part of the organisation’s commitment to growing and investing in the Aboriginal workforce statewide. The leadership initiative was driven by Kimberley Regional Aboriginal Health Consultant David Pigram and Aboriginal Health Program Officer Johari Bin Demin. “Each of the participants will be mentored through their journey by a member of the Regional Executive team,” David said. “They will be our great future role models, not only for other Aboriginal members of our workforce but also for the wider Aboriginal community and potential em... -
Northam Health Service ED temporarily relocating 02 December 2020 Northam Health Service’s Emergency Department (ED) will temporarily relocate from 22 December while important maintenance work is carried out. WA Country Health Service Regional Director – Wheatbelt Rachele Ferrari said that there would be no impact to patient care with the ED operating as normal from its temporary location. “The maintenance work will take around four weeks,” Ms Ferrari said. “Importantly, we want the community to understand that around-the-clock care is still available through the hospital – just from a different location.” “The new location is fit-for-purpose with same number of bays as the ED as well as seated day chairs, a procedure bay, space for family members and a consulting room.” “Patient safety and care remains at the forefront of all that we do and this temporary arrangement ensures 24/7 emergen... -
Margaret River welcomes first baby born via water birth 30 November 2020 The Margaret River Hospital has welcomed its first baby born via water birth.Baby Doug arrived on 6 October to his proud parents Amy and John. In a water birth, the mother is immersed in water to labour and birth her child. It is widely reported that the warmth and buoyancy of the water help lessen labour pains, often meaning that no other methods of pain relief are required. The birth is always supported by two midwives and once born, the baby is gently supported to the surface by a midwife to take its first breath. The hospital had previously received numerous requests to facilitate water births. Planning for it commenced in 2019 and involved procuring birthing tubs as well as ensuring an appropriate bath evacuation process was in place, should an emergency occur. Midwifery Coordinator Melony Halsall said the community had expressed interest in having water immersion as a birth opt... -
SafeWA app keeping businesses and patrons COVID safe 27 November 2020 Mandatory contact registers at relevant businesses and venues will be introduced from 5 December 2020. Maintaining a contact register is an extra safety measure and one of the most effective ways to control the spread of COVID-19. WA Health has developed a free, safe, simple and secure contact register app, SafeWA to help businesses comply with this requirement. Businesses or venues required to keep a contact register, will include: food and licenced venues (restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs) gyms, indoor sporting centres and pools places of worship and funeral parlours beauty and personal care services including hairdressers and barbers galleries and museums cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues auction houses and real estate inspections community facilities, libraries and halls zoos and amusement parks funct... -
Smoke-free staff and consumers at Bunbury Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 24 November 2020 The Bunbury Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Bunbury Health Campus became a 100 per cent smoke-free environment on Tuesday 15 September 2020 and just two months on has shown amazing results. Several staff members have quit smoking and they have seen an increase in consumers participating in therapy groups on the ward. WA Country Health Service South West Mental Health Acute Psychiatric Unit Nurse Unit Manager Kairon Smith said there have been many benefits for patients, staff, visitors and the community. “There has been a 90 per cent increase in group therapy attendance among the patients since we became smoke free,” Ms Smith said. “People are providing positive feedback regarding the improved health environment in the courtyards because of no cigarette smoke.” “Four staff have quit smoking and many more consumers are attending our weekly s...
Last Updated:
17/04/2026