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Red shoes rock in support of an alcohol-free pregnancy 31 August 2020 Great Southern workplaces, community groups and residents are being encouraged to wear red shoes to show their support for alcohol-free pregnancies. On International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day the Red Shoes Rock campaign will raise awareness of the lifelong impacts of FASD. Held on the ninth day of the ninth month (9 September), FASD Awareness Day aims to highlight the importance of nine months of pregnancy without alcohol. Clinical Nurse Manager, Maternity and Newborn Services, Natasha Jeppesen and her team of midwives are getting behind the campaign by wearing red on the maternity ward at Albany Health Campus. “We know that alcohol can harm the developing baby at any time during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so our advice to all expectant mums and women planning a pregnancy is that no alcohol is the safest choice,” Ms Jeppesen said. FASD i... -
Stroke patient’s rehabilitation aided by exceptional WA Country Health Service South West medical team 28 August 2020 When 53-year-old Michael Hawksbee experienced a major stroke earlier this year, the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Bunbury Hospital team rapidly assessed him and took the necessary course of action for him to undergo urgent lifesaving surgery to extract a blood clot from his brain. Following his successful surgery, Mr Hawksbee was keen to return home but assumed he would need to remain in the metropolitan area for ongoing treatment. Cue WACHS South West. Working closely with their metropolitan counterparts, the South West Outpatient Stroke Speech Pathologist and Speech Pathologists based at Manjimup, Donnybrook and Collie developed a plan for Michael to access rehab care close to home – something he says aided in his recovery. “I would like to thank the entire WACHS South West team and local Speech Pathologist Natasha Whelan for enabling me to be treated without having... -
WA Country Health Service warns against COVID complacency 27 August 2020 The WA Country Health Service’s (WACHS) Principal Health Officer Dr Helen Van Gessel is warning country communities against COVID complacency. Dr Van Gessel, an expert in infectious diseases, said country Western Australians only needed to look to Victoria and New Zealand to see just how easily a COVID wave can emerge and surge. “We cannot underestimate the risk of COVID-19,” Dr Van Gessel said. “While we may have eliminated the virus from our community, we have not eliminated the threat. “If the situation in New Zealand has taught us anything, it’s that an outbreak can occur anywhere, at any time.” According to Dr Van Gessel, while the suppression of the virus in Western Australia has afforded authorities the opportunity to test and refine plans, it was important country communities continued to take personal responsibility to protect thems... -
WACHS seeking doctors for rural hospital placements 27 August 2020 The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is seeking doctors to work for both short periods (2-4 weeks) and longer term placements in our rural hospitals. We are calling on medical practitioners with the following skills and attributes: Registration, or ability to be registered, with AHPRA as a medical practitioner PGY4+ with experience in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, obstetrics, paediatrics, or inpatients; general medicine, paediatrics or surgery Prior rural experience preferred, but not essential Ability to relocate to a rural location at short notice (negotiable). Generalists, and specialists with a broad range of skills, are especially encouraged to consider applying Living and working in country WA can be a rewarding experience for you and your family – enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and being part of a close knit community while gaining fulfilling work experie... -
South West inland to welcome more newborns locally 18 August 2020 The WA Country Health Service is establishing two new Midwifery Group Practices (MGPs) in the Warren-Blackwood district and Collie, to support expectant South West families access care closer to home. They join the Bunbury MGP which commenced in 2012 and has supported the birth of over 750 babies locally. The new MGPs will be staffed by specialist midwives who will work together in collaboration with local health practitioners to provide maternity and newborn care. Clinical Midwifery Manager Katrina Jones said that MGPs were evidence based clinical initiatives that provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “An MGP service model means that expectant women will be cared for by a known midwife throughout the duration of their antenatal, birth and post-natal journey,” Ms Jones said. “It empowers women to be actively involved in the care provided to them. &ld...
Last Updated:
17/04/2026