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How to save lives this snake season 16 September 2019 Snake season has arrived and according to the WA Country Health Service’s Dr Andrew Jamieson, the organisation is more prepared than ever. “Potentially deadly snakebites are a reality for those of us who live and work in rural and regional Western Australia,” Dr Jamieson said. “That’s why we’ve been flat out ensuring our clinicians are up-to-date in the very latest in snakebite management. “In fact, more than 180 doctors and nurses employed across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern have just completed their annual training,” he added. Dr Jamieson said while on-the-ground staff were trained to deal with potentially deadly bites, there were important steps members of the public could take if a snake bite is known or suspected. “There’s no beating around the bush – if yo...
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Emergency department volunteers sought 12 September 2019 The emergency department at Albany Health Campus is seeking volunteers to deliver a new program designed to support patients and staff in what can be an overwhelming environment. According to the WA Country Health Service’s Regional Director, Geraldine Ennis, volunteers will be a valuable addition to the patient-centred care that Albany Health Campus emergency department delivers. “The emergency department is dynamic and, at times, a demanding place for both patients needing care and our clinicians managing multiple presentations,” Ms Ennis said. “Under this new program, volunteers will play a key role in comforting and reassuring patients and their families and offer enjoyable activities, such as reading and playing cards in the waiting room,” she added. The Albany Health Campus operates a number of volunteer programs, including the dementia meet and gr... -
Local ED expert helps guide launch of new Urgent Care Clinics 12 September 2019 A local doctor in Bunbury Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) has been closely involved in the development of the new GP Urgent Care Clinic pilot program launched by the State Government this week. Dr Karen McKenna is an Emergency Medicine Consultant who splits her time between city and country life with a part time role in the Bunbury ED and a number of other health roles in the metropolitan area. She said her mixed bag of work is advantageous in building connections between Bunbury Hospital and the Department of Health. The GP Urgent Care Clinic project was a great example of this. Dr McKenna said the five GP Urgent Care Clinics across the Greater Bunbury region were the culmination of 18 months of hard work and collaboration between the Department of Health and the Western Australia Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA). They form part of a network of over 120 practices participa... -
Warren staff branch out for R U OK day 10 September 2019 Warren Health Campus staff have taken an innovative approach to promoting a positive mental health message by installing a blue tree outside the main entrance. A/District Manager for Warren District Hospital Jodie Omodei said the blue tree project aimed to prompt conversations about mental health, including depression, particularly in the lead up toR U OK dayon September 12. “As a striking new addition to our Campus grounds, the tree is an obvious talking point in the community and a great way to raise mental health issues when someone asks why is there a blue tree here?” said Mrs Omodei. “We hope it will encourage people to check in on their friends and family, and raise issues they may not generally feel comfortable discussing,” she said. “We all need to look out for each other and encourage anyone who’s struggling to seek help.” Staff held a m... -
Kimberley mental health initiative wins Australasian award 06 September 2019 An innovative program that brought Fitzroy Crossing young people and Elders together and resulted in a hip hop song about suicide prevention has won a top Australasian mental health award. The WA Country Health Service-led Standing Strong program won an award in the category of Mental Health Promotion or Mental Illness Prevention at the annual Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand. Developed, written and recorded in Fitzroy Crossing, the Standing Strong project was a partnership between WA Country Health Service’s Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service and the Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services. Young people between the ages of 10 and 17 worked with the Indigenous Hip Hop Project team to develop a song using their own words and ideas about mental health, alcohol and drug issues. Elders from five local language groups also shared their stories about the...
Last Updated:
24/01/2024