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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... -
Care Opinion website drives health service improvements and achieves milestone of 2000 stories from regional WA 23 November 2020 The WA Country Health Service thanks Western Australia’s regional residents for taking time to comment on their experiences in the health system, as the Care Opinion website marks 2,000 stories from regional WA. Care Opinion is an independent, moderated public platform where anyone can share their experiences of hospital and health service care. Since the site was introduced in WA in 2015, Care Opinion stories have been viewed more than 840,000 times by regional communities, staff and members of the public. Stories are shared with the relevant health service departments, which are then able to make tangible improvements to the care they provide. WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said Care Opinion has been embraced by regional communities, with almost 25 per cent of national Care Opinion stories now coming from country WA. “Health leaders acknowledge t... -
Country ambulance strategy underway: $9.2 million for high priority recommendations 12 November 2020 The first phase of implementation of WA’s country ambulance strategy is underway and will include six new ambulances and a two-year pilot to put paid paramedics into the Kimberley. Of the $9.2 earmarked, $1.6 million will see six brand new ambulances – with state-of-the-art communications and safety technology – added to the Kimberley fleet. To further strengthen services to remote communities, a two-year, $2 million pilot will be implemented to trial three paid professional paramedics in Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Derby. In addition, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) will continue to work closely with St John Ambulance, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and metropolitan hospitals to improve patient flow and coordination with a $5.6 million investment in digital technologies. The $9.2 million investment delivers the first phase of The Country Ambulance Strategy... -
Country health command centre marks its first year 12 November 2020 One year on from its official launch, the WA Country Health Service's Command Centre has enabled specialist level care on country for more than 21,000 Western Australians living in regional WA. The 24/7 virtual clinical hub is staffed by more than 140 doctors and nurses who utilise state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology to support country clinicians in the care of their patients across emergency, inpatient and mental health care. Now operational at more than 85 hospitals and nursing posts - with five more sites to be enabled by early 2021 - the innovative hub has enabled 70 per cent of patients to avoid medical transfer and continue receiving care on country and close to home. WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said it has also connected Western Australia's largest remote Aboriginal community - Bidyadanga - to emergency specialists for the first time. "Pla... -
Albany radiation oncology groundwork to commence next month 10 November 2020 Lifesaving radiation oncology services will arrive in the Great Southern for the first time with BGC Construction Pty Ltd awarded the contract to deliver forward works on the project. A vital step in establishing the service, the forward works package will ensure the complex machinery is safely housed and protect patients, visitors and staff from radiation exposure.It will also see improvements to parking and vehicle access at Albany Health Campus and include vital site preparations. WA Country Health Service Regional Director (Great Southern) Geraldine Ennis said the current project program indicates BGC Construction should meet practical completion before the end of the financial year. “It’s expected the lifesaving service will be up and running in the second half of 2022 following the completion of main works and operational commissioning,” Ms Ennis said. “...
Last Updated:
17/04/2026