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Technology leads the way for expectant WA country women 17 April 2020 The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) this week has expanded on its successful existing telehealth antenatal classes to provide free childbirth, early parenting and breastfeeding education across all country regions for expectant women and their birth partners. In line with social distancing recommendations, WACHS is ensuring new opportunities are available to all expectant country women and their birth partners. This innovative service now includes the highly successful Positive Birth Program which has been running at the Bunbury Hospital since February 2019. WACHS Acting Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services Steph Barrett said the Bunbury Hospital has already seen noticeable results in its first year of rolling out the program. “There has been a reduction in the use of medications for pain relief, induction of labour, non-elective caesarean sections and instrument... -
Changes to biosecurity requirements in some regional and remote communities 14 April 2020 To protect the health and wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable communities, the State Government has placed restrictions around entering the Kimberley region and remote Aboriginal communities. In accordance with amendments to the Biosecurity Act (2015), restrictions are in place for entry into all four local government areas in the Kimberley region, the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku in the Goldfields and parts of the Shire of East Pilbara encompassing the communities of Jigalong, Martu homeland communities and Kiwirrkurra. From Monday 13 April 2020, the rules under the Biosecurity Act (2015) restrictions changed meaning people are no longer able to return home to a designated area without first self-isolating for 14 days outside the designated area. This requirement will have an impact on people who need to travel to Perth for essential medical treatment. Through the Patient Assisted T...
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Accessing health services during tropical cyclone Damien 07 February 2020 The WA Country Health Service has confirmed the appropriate procedures are in place at Karratha Health Campus to see service delivery continue throughout tropical cyclone Damien. Given the facility is located within one of the most severe cyclonic wind regions in Australia, it has been built to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) which includes the building being rated to a standard category five cyclone wind region D. With a real focus on preparedness, the WA Country Health Service has already addressed: Staffing throughout the cyclone Supplies – medical, food, pharmaceuticals Ensuring patients in the community are prepared While emergency and inpatient care will continue to be available throughout a red alert, all outpatient hospital, allied health and nursing appointments have or will be cancelled. Roebourne Hospital will temporarily close should a r...
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Technology brings lymphoedema care closer to home for Esperance and Katanning patients 06 February 2020 Esperance resident Jan Ramsden was one of the first in Australia to benefit from the WA Country Health Service and Fiona Stanley Hospital’s innovative TeleLymphoedema trial which brings care closer to home for Esperance and Katanning locals fighting breast cancer. After treatment for breast cancer Mrs Ramsden has suffered for many years with lymphoedema which causes swelling, pain and discomfort in her arm. The trial TeleLymphoedema service has allowed Mrs Ramsden to receive specialist lymphoedema support in her home town via video conferencing technology, reducing the burden of travel. Mrs Ramsden said when an Esperance Health Campus physiotherapist asked if she would like to participate in the WA Country Health Service’s first specialist lymphoedema appointment via telehealth she felt nervous. “The thought of receiving care from a TV screen with someone all the wa... -
WA Country Health Service staff recognised for excellence in Rural Health Awards 17 January 2020 Eighteen health professionals from across the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) have been shortlisted for the 2020 WA Rural Health Awards. The annual awards recognise the incredible contributions of rural health professionals in fields such as general practice, clinical leadership, and education. Rural Health West and WACHS host the awards to acknowledge the critical role health professionals play in supporting the ongoing health, vitality and sustainability of rural communities across Western Australia. WACHS Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said it was pleasing to see the evolution of the program, previously known as the Country Doctors Awards, with the addition of categories to acknowledge and recognise a broader range of health professionals. WACHS Board member Dr Kim Isaacs is among the health professionals recognised for excellence as a finalist in the Clinical Leadership Award cate...
Last Updated:
17/04/2026