Health Professionals Education Evening: Respiratory Overview

29 March 2023 | 6.00pm to 8.00pm | Bunbury

South West Health Professionals are invited to an educational evening with Dr Christian de Chaneet. Dr de Chaneet is a General, Sleep and Respiratory Physician who will share his knowledge and expertise on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Bronchiectasis and Interstitial Lung Disease. General practitioners, nursing and allied health professionals are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments and canapes provided.

Registrations are essential and places are limited! Please click on the following link to register. For more information, please contact SWHPN Program Officer Jolijn Thompson at contact@swhpn.com.au

Save the date! Health Forum Busselton | Sunday 15 October 2023

The South West Health Professionals Network is pleased to host a unique one-day health forum for health professionals in the South West region. This is a locally-delivered education event followed by networking drinks. Registrations will open shortly.

For further information or to register your interest, please contact SWHPN Program Officer Jolijn Thompson at contact@swhpn.com.au

Paediatric Emergencies and Clinical Healthcare Scenarios (PEaCHS) workshop 

26 May 2023 | Margaret River

This Rural Health West CPD workshop is a one-day workshop in paediatric emergency scenarios and skills. It will give delegates real-life examples and the opportunity to manage sick or injured children in a safe environment. The workshop content includes:
-Hands-on simulation – practise common scenarios and structured care
-Short presentations by experienced paediatric emergency physicians
-Comprehensive handbook of lecture materials and practical skills
-‘Resuscitation reminders’ card for your ID badge clip

Eligibility
GP Obstetricians, ED doctors and nurses and GPs. Priority is given to those working in the local region.

Registration
Register online by following this link.

Registration fee
Cost: $440 (Inc GST)

Pop up stand at hospital Cafe attracts new members to our network

Thanks to all the health professionals from St John of God Bunbury Hospital and the South West Health Campus - Bunbury Hospital for visiting our pop up stand outside the Blue Wren Cafe in February. We really enjoyed talking with you and giving out our cookies and promotional items. We look forward to seeing you at one our upcoming events.

Visit our website to join our network and stay up to date with educational and networking opportunities in the South West.

Welcome to 2023 networking event wrap up

South West health professionals came together at the Sunset Bar at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury last month for our Welcome to 2023 networking event. The warm evening overlooking Koombana Bay made for a great setting for old friends and new to come together to network, enjoy some light refreshments and delicious pizza!

We look forward to delivering more events to our South West Health Professionals this year. Keep an eye out on our website and Facebook page for upcoming events.

SWHPN Member Profile 

Meet South West Health Professional Network member Rae de Rusett. Rae is a Registered Nurse and Child Health Nurse. Rae is currently employed as the Program Manager/Clinical Care Coordinator at GP Down South.

Preventative health is Rae's primary interest, especially for those already experiencing chronic health issues. Due to the complexities of the health system Rae says that "it's often difficult for people to navigate, especially if people have a condition that impacts on general daily tasks. Provision of care coordination around engaged services, on behalf of a client, assists to alleviate an enormous load and thus allows them to focus on the important aspects of their health journey. It also increases efficiency within the health system as delays to access can have significant consequences to clients". 

Rae is originally from the Warren Blackwood area, however she spent many years working and travelling in various parts and industries within Australia. She returned to WA in late 2011 and completed her nursing studies at ECU South West Campus in 2014 after a long interest in preventative health. Rae then moved to Kalgoorlie to complete a graduate nurse program and after consolidating her clinical skills within the hospital setting she returned to Bunbury in 2017 and commenced a position in primary health within an NGO. Here Rae completed further training in Child and Family Health and it was during this time that she established an interest in chronic health management and developed the organisations portfolio for Child Chronic Health Care. It was then a natural progression to utilise these skills more rurally, in an area with high levels of chronic health and low access to services, through GP Down South’s new Chronic Health Care Program.

Rae loves the landscape and the diverse range of communities within the South West where she still has family and friends located. She is also enjoying the cooler temperatures!

Rae is passionate about sustainable living, social justice, and the environment and when she's not working you will most likely find her in the garden, reading a book, walking her dogs or doing craft.

Grants for training and upskilling
Applications now open!

The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) provides professional development support to health professionals in rural and remote Australia to help retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practice.

What is the basic eligibility? 
You could be eligible for a grant if you meet the following criteria:
Working in the field of medicine, nursing, midwifery, dental, pharmacy or allied health (including Aboriginal health practitioners)
Providing primary care in private practice, non-government or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS) sector - those employed solely by the state government are ineligible for funding.
Employed by an organisation providing services in an MMM 3-7 location (or ACCHS in a MMM 1-7 location) 

Activities supported by the HWSP  
- Postgraduate studies – postgraduate certificate, diploma, Masters or PhD 
- Conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars and short courses

Full Program Guidelines and eligibility criteria can be found on the Rural Health West website. 

Applications close 29 March 2023. 
Apply now!

What's happening in your region

MARGARET RIVER
EOI for the Young Mentors Program for People over 50
Various dates from 8 to 29 March 2023

Students from Margaret River Senior High School will be helping people over 50 get connected in return for valuable life skills. 
-Learn to use a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, smartphone or computer more effectively
-Learn to send emails and video chat with family online
-Get directions on Google maps and much more
Mentoring sessions are one hour per week for four to six weeks.  
Time: 1.00pm to 3.00pm 
Venue: Margaret River Library 
EOI contact Ana Brawls on 9780 5600 or email abrawls@amrshire.wa.gov.au

BUSSELTON
SUP Life - All inclusive come and try day
19 March 2023

SUP Life will be hosting an all inclusive come and try day as part of the City’s Harmony Day celebrations. SUP life Busselton will be available for people with disabilities to have a go at paddle boarding at the Busselton foreshore from 9.00am – 12.00pm. Sand play and sausage sizzle will also be available. Visit the website for more information.

BUNBURY
Tree Street Art Safari
25 March 2023 | 10.00 am to 4.00 pm

Bunbury’s favourite art walking trail is on once again with an anticipated 50 artists to exhibit in 25+ venues with visitors invited to wander the historic Tree Streets in Bunbury. Rather than viewing art in a traditional art gallery, Bunbury residents will open their doors to allow art lovers to view unique art from the Bunbury Geographe region in local studios, sheds, gardens and yards on the iconic street. For more details on this event visit the website.