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Member Update
OCTOBER 2024
A warm hello to all our members of the Pilbara Health Professionals Network (PHPN).
Have you registered for our Wound Care Workshop and Early Detection and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease events? See below for registration details. Our events are perfect for catching up and networking with fellow health professionals. We look forward to seeing you there!
Alisha
UPCOMING PHPN EVENTS
Friday 25 October 2024 | 8.00am-3.00pm | Newman
Presenters:
- Donna Larsen - Wound Management Nurse Practitioner
- Beth Sperring - Clinical Nurse Consultant Plastic Surgery
Topics for the study day will include wound healing and assessment; identification of acute and chronic wound infection and treatment; biofilm-based wound management; wound hygiene; dressing selection; traumatic wounds; plastic surgery considerations; leg ulcers; the high-risk foot; and case studies. Future trends in wound management will also be discussed. There will be two practical workshops on wound debridement and topical negative pressure wound therapy. Compression bandaging will be demonstrated.
Wednesday 13 November 2024 | 6.00pm-8.00pm | South Hedland and Online
Presenter: Dr Rebecca Hudson – Nephrologist, Fiona Stanley Hospital
Kidney Health Australia will present this event in conjunction with kidney specialist, Dr Rebecca
Hudson.
Learning outcomes:
- The importance of early detection for those at risk of chronic kidney disease
- Describe the elements of the assessment for chronic kidney disease (kidney health check)
- Define the treatment options to delay progress of kidney disease
This event will be available online for Pilbara health professionals who cannot travel to South Hedland to attend in person.
LATEST HEALTH NEWS
Dealing with Depression in Rural Australia - Blended Learning
Monday 7 October 2024 | 9.00am-3.00pm | Online
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Advanced Training in Suicide Prevention - Blended Learning
Wednesday 9 October 2024 | 9.00am-3.00pm | Online
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Co-occurring mental health and AOD issues with young people
Tuesday 17 October 2024 | 10.00am-12.00pm | Online
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Critical Conversations
A free interactive course for health professionals | Online
As health workers in rural and remote communities, we are on the front line of supporting individuals in the community. Whether at work or off duty, we are in a position of trust. Unfortunately, many health workers do not feel confident in talking with individuals who may need help or are experiencing emotional distress. This free, interactive online course has been designed by remote mental health professionals specifically for the rural and remote health workforce. It guides learners through a 4‑step approach for having a successful conversation and is packed full of practical strategies and real-life scenarios.
EVENT WRAP UP
Visual Impairment
On Wednesday 11 September, the PHPN held an event at Lotteries House Karratha with local Karratha optometrists Alex Craig and Mitchell Gin where they discussed the following topics with our Pilbara health professionals:
• Paediatric visual impairment
• Visual impairment in adults
• Overview of age-related visual conditions
• Rehabilitation and support services
• Integration with other health conditions
• Practical applications
• Best practices for referrals
MEMBER PROFILE
Meet Kira Hoffman
Occupation: Speech Pathologist
Tell us, where are you from and how did you get to be a speech pathologist in the Pilbara region?
I was born and raised in Perth, WA. I never saw myself moving to the country, let own an isolated remote town like Paraburdoo! I found myself moving to the Pilbara for love, following my long-term partner so that he could pursue his career passions – I have now been living in Paraburdoo for almost 2 years and have never looked back!
What are your professional interests/specialities? Currently my skill set as a speech pathologist is as a rural generalist, working with clients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings (inpatient, outpatient, child developmental services, disability). I am working towards becoming a knowledgeable and skilled clinician in paediatric feeding and hope to one day be a certified lactation consultant recognised by the IBCLC.
What do you love about the Pilbara? I love the strong sense of community in the Pilbara. I have found that you form strong friendships much quicker when living remotely as everyone is in the same boat and isolated from their network – many of the people we have met since moving to Paraburdoo are friends who have become family. I also love how many adventures are right at our doorstep! Being outdoorsy people, the Pilbara is the place to be!
Did you always want to be a Speech Pathologist? Why? When I graduated high-school, I had no idea what profession I wanted to enter. On a whim I began studying Architecture after finishing high-school, but very quickly realised this was not the profession for me. It was my friend’s mum who told me she thought I would make a good speech pathologist, which ultimately led to a degree swap – utter luck!
What are your passions? Outside of work, my passions are being outdoors, surrounded by family and friends! I also love cooking and creating new recipes to feed my family and friends.
When you aren’t working, where will we find you? Generally in the kitchen or outdoors exploring with my partner and dogs!
Moving to a new region in WA?
Join your local Health Professionals Network!
Did you know that the Pilbara Health Professionals Network is one of seven networks operating across regional Western Australia? If you're relocating to another region in WA, reach out to your new region's network to build local connections and learn of upcoming education and networking opportunities.
For more information and for links to each region's Health Professionals Network website, visit the Rural Health West website.
The Pilbara Health Professionals Network is brought to you in partnership with the following stakeholder organisations.
You have received this newsletter as a health professional working in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Email addresses used to disseminate this newsletter were obtained through Rural Health West's databases. Unsubscribing from this newsletter will remove you from the distribution list for all Rural Health West publications. To stop receiving this newsletter only, please email contact@phpn.com.au
