No images? Click here What's happening 2021-2022 Approved services Variations to approved 2021-2022 outreach services Services providers are kindly reminded to notify the Regional Services team if they require any changes to services (i.e. sessions, travel) prior to the completion of a visit. This will ensure the Outreach Management System (OMS) is updated promptly and you can submit the Service Activity Report post-visit. Service visit dates and reporting Please consider the upcoming WA school holidays from Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October 2021 when scheduling outreach visits. WA state COVID-19 Vaccination Directions and service provider implications Western Australia’s Chief Health Officer recently approved new public health directions making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all health care and health support workers in state facilities. It’s critical that all Outreach service providers to WA Country Health Service (WACHS) are also aware of earlier public health directions related specifically to residential aged care sites. While both Directions have implications for service providers who have staff that enter WACHS facilities, there are specific expectations of those entering aged care sites that are effective from Friday 17 September 2021. For that reason, as an Outreach service provider if you or any member of your organisation is required to enter a WACHS residential aged care facility or multi-purpose site after 17 September 2021, it is asked you first contact the local WACHS facilities manager to confirm whether you or your staff will be classified as requiring vaccination. Further information on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations is available at the WA Department of Health - COVID19-vaccine/FAQs. WA Ear and Hearing Digital Health Forum - registrations now open! Friday 19 November 2021 Registrations for the WA Ear and Hearing Digital Health Forum, being held at Parmelia Hilton Perth, on Friday 19 November 2021, are now open!
Who Should Attend?
Forum Registration Aboriginal Health Conference 2021 - registrations now open! Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 November 2021 The 2021 Aboriginal Health Conference hosted by Rural Health West will celebrate culture, strengths and successes in Aboriginal health – a time to reflect on achievements so far and how we can address the challenges. The conference will provide a space to rejoice and reconnect with colleagues after a challenging year in terms of environmental impacts and the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference program will have five streams:
Who should attend?
For more information and to register, please visit the conference website. For more information please contact the Rural Health West Events Team on 08 6389 4500 or ahc@ruralhealthwest.com.au Health Workforce Scholarship Program - round 9 now open! The Health Workforce Scholarship Program provides scholarships and bursaries to help health professionals in remote and rural Australia retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practice. Funding is available to medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health, dental and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals. Round 9 applications are now open and will close 27 October 2021. Visit the website for more information. 2022 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards - Nominations Now Open! The 2022 WA Rural Health Excellence Awards recognise and acknowledge health professionals who have dedicated their careers to caring for rural communities, and celebrate the achievements of health professionals who have enhanced the range and quality of medical care available in Western Australian rural locations. Having access to quality healthcare is extremely important for rural communities and these awards are an opportunity to shine the spotlight on health professionals who have contributed to rural health in Western Australia. Categories for the 2022 WA Rural Health
Excellence Awards are: Nominations close Monday 8 November 2021. Should you have any enquiries, please contact the WA Rural Health Excellence Awards Coordinator at awards@ruralhealthwest.com.au or 08 6389 4500. Annual General Practitioner Survey now open! The Rural Health West annual GP survey gives us an understanding of general practice in rural and remote communities across Western Australia. Your response will enable us to identify the current issues and concerns facing you and help us to provide services and programs that will benefit you and the health of your community. The Annual GP Survey is open to all rural general practitioners. Complete the survey online securely on our website here (ID code needed) or if you prefer, paper copies of the survey have been mailed to all GPs. For further information or to get your ID code, please contact our database team by calling 08 6389 4500 or via email. WA releases Aboriginal empowerment strategy The WA Government has released its first Closing the Gap Jurisdictional Implementation Plan together with its Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy - two important and strategic documents that will guide a future whole-of-government approach to Aboriginal affairs in WA. This is the first Implementation Plan for WA under the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap and was developed through collaboration across government departments and agencies, with crucial input and endorsement from the Aboriginal Advisory Council of WA, as well as the Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA), the only WA-based member of the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations (the Coalition of Peaks). Vicki O'Donnell, member of the Aboriginal Advisory Council of WA and Chairperson of the AHCWA said: "The National Agreement on Closing the Gap is strongly supported by Aboriginal people in WA as it defines the reforms that are absolutely necessary for improving the life outcomes of our people, and our communities. The four Priority Reforms require governments to change the way they work with us at all levels, and ensure that Aboriginal self-determination, leadership, and culture are the foundations for shared decision-making, partnership and service delivery into the future. To view the media statement in full click here. RACGP practice resources and guidelines The RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health offers a range of resources and guidelines to support your practice and quality care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Click here to view the resources, which include MBS guides, NACCHO-RACGP Good practice tables and cultural protocols and perspectives. The Outreach programs are delivered by Rural Health West on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health. |