Welcome to the second Rural Health West ear health e-bulletin

Rural Health West, in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA), is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health to provide the Ear Health Coordination Program in WA to 2022.

The aim of the coordination program is to work collaboratively with primary health care clinics and other stakeholders to identify and support activity needed to improve ear health across the state.

The intended outcomes of the Ear Health Coordination Program are that primary health care clinics are supported to:

• implement processes designed to ensure regular ear and hearing health screening and timely treatment (including any follow-up treatment required) and ongoing monitoring is provided;

• a continuous quality improvement approach to strategies to identify, screen, treat and follow-up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at risk of (or experiencing) otitis media and related hearing loss, particularly before entering primary school;

• ensure health care professionals are made aware of opportunities to enhance skills to undertake ear health assessment and management in children; and

• improve the collection of clinical data on the prevalence of otitis media and treatment provided.

Together, Rural Health West and AHCWA will work closely to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach to ear health services across the State. 

Our goal for the ear health e-bulletin is to provide quarterly updates where we reflect the wonderful work of the ear:

• the outer ear - where we collect sound waves in the form of good news stories with the aim to share experiences and learnings from stakeholders across WA;
• the middle ear - where we transmit vibrations via our ossicles: an update from Rural Health West, AHCWA, and from ear health stakeholder groups; and
• the inner ear - transferring sound waves to nerve messages, our resources section where updated and new resources will be made available.

THE OUTER EAR

Sharing good news stories from the ear and hearing space

We want to hear from you!

Do you have a good news story from a recent ear health visit which highlights the importance of coordination and planning between service provider and the local community/health professionals?

Are you involved in a collaborative partnership with another ear health stakeholder which could assist others?

What information would you find useful in this e-bulletin?

We want to hear your feedback and promote your good news stories. Our aim is to highlight the successes from ear health stakeholders across the State. We want to share your learnings and experiences in providing ear health services and your ideas to improve service provision across WA.

If you have a story, partnership or learning you would like us to feature in the next e-bulletin, please email outreach@ruralhealthwest.com.au. 

THE MIDDLE EAR

An update from Rural Health West, Aboriginal Health Council of WA and ear health stakeholder groups

Otitis Media Guidelines Workshop

The Rural Health West and AHCWA Ear Health Coordination team were fortunate enough to travel to Darwin to attend the launch of the 2020 Otitis Media Guidelines and Omapp Workshop in April 2021. 

The workshop, which was supported by the Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), introduced the updated Otitis Media Guidelines developed by experts working in the ear and hearing health space and promoted greater awareness for all disciplines working with communities to improve the impacts of otitis media.

Keynote presenter Professor Kelvin Kong, ENT Specialist provided an overview of ear disease and the burden of disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Highlighting research updates and networking for Aboriginal Researchers. Paediatrician Dr Peter Morris provided a summary of the 2020 Otitis Media Guidelines update process, also presenting on the clinical uncertainty of ear disease.

Delegates from all over the nation took part in two breakout sessions that included discussions on barriers and enablers to service delivery, as well as highlighting the importance of families, organisations and community involvement to work together in the ear health journey to improve ear and hearing outcomes.

The Guidelines are well-defined with supporting evidence that include factors such as benefits, harms, the values and preferences and health equity. 

If you would like a complimentary copy of the 2020 Otitis Media Guidelines, please follow the link here or to download the 2020 Omapp, please follow the link for Apple or Android devices. Rural Health West and AHCWA will continue to collaborate to promote the Guidelines and Omapp.  

WA Ear and Hearing Telehealth Forum 2021

Rural Health West hosted the inaugural WA Ear & Hearing Telehealth Forum in Fremantle on Friday 11 June 2021.

Attendees explored the role of telehealth across the patient’s ear health journey and lifespan. The forum identified statewide telehealth capabilities, where telehealth systems are working well and where improvements could be adopted.

Keynote speaker Professor Fiona Wood shared how she delivers telehealth burn care across the State and panel discussions left the room inspired to continue to strengthen the capacity of ear and hearing telehealth within the regions.

Through panel discussions, participants shared knowledge and skills to improve healthcare delivery in Aboriginal communities through innovative telehealth solutions. They also participated in hands-on interactive upskilling and education on current guidelines and protocols. The forum was rounded out by a sunset networking event in the Harbour city. 

**Save the date** Friday 19 November 2021

Rural Health West will be hosting a follow on Ear and Hearing Health workshop Friday 19 November 2021 as part of Rural Health West’s 2021 Aboriginal Health Conference. If you would like to register your interest to attend or present at the workshop please contact Rural Health West’s Ear Health Coordinator, Candice Marsden via email or phone 08 6389 4500.  

Aboriginal Health Conference 2021 - call for abstracts

Are you a health professional, researcher, educator or community representative with a passion for Aboriginal health?

Rural Health West are now calling for abstracts for our upcoming Aboriginal Health Conference in Perth on 20 and 21 November 2021.

Abstract submissions will be considered for the following conference streams:
• Mental Health
• Quality improvement - interrogating data for the benefit of Aboriginal people and their communities 
• Environmental Health
• Chronic Disease with a focus on palliative care, voluntary assisted dying and end of life
• Early intervention with a focus on child health, chest, ear and skin

Closing date for abstract submission is Monday 19 July 2021. Submit your abstract via the online portal.

THE INNER EAR

Ear and hearing health resources

EarTrain

Enhance ear health service delivery to Indigenous Australians

Simon says...

Disclaimer

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The Outreach programs are delivered by Rural Health West on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health.