MWGHPN October Update
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Members Update October 2023
The Midwest-Gascoyne Regional Program Officer recently embarked on an insightful journey to Exmouth, aimed at strengthening connections with healthcare professionals and identifying their educational needs. This visit served as a pivotal step in fostering collaboration and enhancing the support network for nurses and allied health professionals in the region.
The visit has allowed for open discussions about the educational needs of these health professionals. These conversations delved into the challenges they face and the areas where additional training and resources could make a significant difference.
The insights gathered during these discussions will be invaluable in supporting the specific needs of the Exmouth healthcare community, which will also contribute to better patient care and outcomes in the region.
Save the date! An evening with Associate Professor Mat Coleman | 23 November | 5.30pm–8.30pm | Geraldton Multipurpose Centre
An education evening discussing mental health and adult ADHD with Associate Professor Mat Coleman brought to you by the MWGHPN, WAPHA, and WACHS.
This event is open to all health professionals. More details to come soon.
Primary Care Virtual Roadshow | 11 October 2023 | 6.00pm
An interactive Virtual Roadshow bringing a tailored approach of Cardiovascular Risk Reduction from the Heart Foundation in collaboration with WAPHA.
This interactive, live Virtual Workshop will bring together a specialist presentation followed by breakout groups and completed with live audience.
Panel Q & A with the following objectives:
- Update primary care health professionals on the latest clinical risk assessment recommendations incorporating new evidence on risk factors, imaging and biomarkers.
- Provide practical advice for the application of Heart Health Checks, including available resources for the general practice team.
- Participants will be encouraged to systematically embed Heart Health Checks as part of routine care.
- Guidance on the management of high blood pressure and cholesterol, nutrition and other lifestyle support strategies.
- Increase knowledge on local referral pathways for risk factor management and review.
- Support the design and delivery of quality improvement activities to leverage national and local incentives for ease of implementation.
This activity has been accredited by the RACGP for 1.5 Educational Activity CPD hours (activity no. 416743). Education provider: Scius Healthcare Solutions.
Paediatric Health Program for GPs | 19 October 2023 | 6.30pm–7.30pm ( AEST)
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Education Hub is excited to present the Paediatric Health Program for General Practitioners.
This is a multifaceted education program designed for General Practitioners and includes: monthly live interactive webinars (recordings available), an online chat forum, resources and feedback to support your practice in paediatric health care.
Cost: $250 + GST to access all course materials from 16 February 2023 until 16 February 2024.
Registrations are now OPEN!
Monday 31 October - Friday 3 November 2023
The WA Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference has been hosted by WACHS since the event’s inauguration at Northam in 1992 and 2023 marks the 30th year for the conference
The conference theme for 2023 is Looking Beyond I People, Resilience and Innovation.
Don't miss out on this amazing event., click HERE to register.
Registrations are now OPEN!
The two-day event, hosted by Rural Health West in collaboration with the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia and the Western Australia Child Ear Health Strategy, will focus on regional ear health initiatives, improvements in ear and hearing health devices, and research. Attendees can expect interactive discussions and hands-on skill development opportunities.
Date: Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November 2023
Time: Thursday: 8.00am - 5.00pm
Friday: 8.00am - 1.30pm
Venue: The Esplanade Hotel by Rydges, Fremantle
What to expect:
- Hear from local planning forums and providers about successful collaborations.
- Identify intersectoral partnerships and initiatives in improving ear and hearing health outcomes.
- Learn from leading WA researchers supporting ear and hearing health.
- Participate in hands-on interactive upskilling and education on current guidelines and protocols.
- Engage and network with other health professionals and providers working to reduce the burden of ear disease.
Please visit the website to view further information about the Forum and to register.
The Forum will coincide with the Rural Health West Aboriginal Health Conference. Travel support may be available for eligible delegates.
Understanding Neuroception and the Human Response to Trauma | 16 November 2023 | 9.00am
A workshop for anyone living or working with children or young people who have experienced trauma. Our workshop aims to support understanding in the neurobiology of trauma and how it impacts functioning and behaviours. We address the link between ADHD, Autism and trauma and dive into interoception and neuroception in the context of trauma. This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of how to support many of the challenging behaviours sometimes observed in children or young people who have experienced trauma. The workshop will be informative, interactive and inclusive.
Have you registered?
The theme for the Aboriginal Health Conference 2023 is: Dedication: the Story of our Elders. The conference will bring together health professionals from across rural WA, and provide the opportunity to learn from those who came before us. We will hear their stories and reflect on how we can move through the challenges faced by so many, and find a way forward together.
More information, including details on the travel support available for delegates, can be found on the conference website.
Find Cancer Early - Information for GPs and Primary Health Nurses
Opportunity to Contribute to Research on Obesity Control with Meal Timing Strategy
The WA Centre for Rural Health are conducting research to understand more about the advice provided by health practitioners who work in primary care settings regarding weight management strategies, including meal timing. If you work as a primary care practitioner who provides advice to patients who are overweight your insights would be very valuable to us. By participating, you could help shape effective strategies for obesity control. With ethics approval from the UWA Human Research Ethics Committee, we are inviting professionals like you to participate in our study. Your contribution involves completing a short questionnaire (takes ~10-12 minutes), accessible via this link https://bit.ly/MealTiming-PCPSurvey
If you would like further information, please contact hilmi.rathomi@research.uwa.edu.au or Dr Rathomi’s supervisor, Prof. Sandra Thompson, at sandra.thompson@uwa.edu.au
Matilda is an early-stage digital health start-up from Perth, WA currently, trialling a new digital health application for people with confirmed or suspected endometriosis. The platform can be easily downloaded from the app stores or accessed online (www.matilda.health) and provides people with access to evidence-based modules, lifestyle tracking, community, as well as live and on-demand classes to help people learn about and manage their symptoms. Founded by Joanna Morris, a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist,and Dr Kevin Wernli, PhD (Persistent Pain), a Physiotherapist and Researcher, the platform has been co-designed with Matilda’s clinical and lived experience advisory board. Health professionals are our second biggest referral source, and your support helps bring affordable, evidence-based care to the pocket of people with confirmed or suspected endometriosis, no matter where they are.
Free sausage sizzle and activities to support mental health awareness and the upcoming mental health week. For everyone, on the Foreshore, arranged by 360 Health + Community.
28 October 2023 | 5.30 pm - 1.00 am | Geraldton Grammar School – Batavia Hall
Midwest charity Begins at Home offers financial relief to Midwest people with serious illnesses. Serious illness can place significant financial pressures on a family or individual, adding stress to what is already possibly the most difficult time in a person’s life.
The organisation has been running this charity in the Midwest of WA for the past 15 years to provide support to families when they need it most. They raise the bulk of their funds through a Gala Ball and auction, thanks to the generous support of local businesses and individuals.
Geraldton, get ready to #battleitout when Battle of the Bands returns to the Queens Park Theatre Amphitheatre on Sunday 15 October 2023!
Food trucks will be available throughout the event as well as a licensed bar between 3pm-4pm.
Partner Education Grants | 2023 -2024 Applications now open!
Financial support is available for partners of Western Australian rural medical practitioners, nurses, midwives, dentists, allied health professionals, and Aboriginal health practitioners/workers who wish to enhance their career and employment opportunities while living in a rural location.
For further details and application options, please visit Rural Health West Partner Education Grant website
The Rural Health West website now displays the approved Rural Health Outreach Services scheduled for the current financial year. Users can easily search for the services they require by region, health professional, service provider, host facility, and visit date. This allows for convenient and efficient access to the outreach services needed in rural areas.
The MWGHPN is active on Facebook, members can keep up to date with local educational and social events being held in their region.
MWGHPN members are encouraged to utilise the platform themselves to promote their organisation's events and news to keep our community connected and share information!
Practice Assist is a free service that coordinates and delivers end-to-end practice support services for general practice teams and health professionals across WA.
The Practice Assist team can help enhance efficiency, capacity and sustainability of your practice with a comprehensive suite of practice management resources and support services:
- A toll-free help desk between 8.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
- Email the helpful team for advice regarding practice management queries.
- Assistance with Quality Improvement in your practice from Quality Improvement Coaches.
- Visit the dedicated website for the latest news, information, resources, COVID-19 information and more.
- Receive support and information about digital health technologies.
- Educational webinars, networking events and regional workshops.
- Stay up to date by subscribing to Practice Connect, our fortnightly newsletter.
- Contact the Practice Assist team to connect with Primary Care Navigators and Quality Improvement Coaches.
Has this update been forwarded to you and you would like to receive our monthly member updates? Register here to join the network, membership is free to all health professionals in the Midwest-Gascoyne region.
The Midwest-Gascoyne Health Professionals Network is brought to you by the following stakeholder partnerships:
You have received this newsletter as a health professional working in the Midwest-Gascoyne 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@mwhpn.com.au.
