Rural Health West Aboriginal Health Conference 2023 – Call for Abstracts
Rural Health West is seeking abstracts for the 2023 Aboriginal Health Conference to be held at the Esplanade Hotel by Rydges in Walyalup, Fremantle on the 18 and 19 November 2023.
The Aboriginal Health Conference 2023 theme 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, reflect on how we can move through the challenges so many face, and find a way forward together.
You can find more information here.
Updating GP or Practice Details for Hospital Communication
To check or update your practice details, or enrol for electronic or faxed discharge summaries and outpatient letters, email [email protected], telephone 9224 3673 or fax 92242348 and provide the following information:
• Your Practice details (including Practice name, address, fax)
• A list of all current GPs at your practice and their provider numbers
• Your practice’s EDI code for secure electronic transmission can be obtained from your secure messaging provider.
These contact details will be available to all public hospitals in WA excluding some public-private hospitals which use different systems.
It is important you include a generic GP contact that can be used if patients don’t have a regular GP or need to know their GP’s surname. If your practice experiences significant turnover it is recommended that you “clean-up” this information regularly (i.e. 6 monthly).
The Challenge
The Government of Western Australia has issued a global challenge for a world-leading medical research and innovation solution to resolve a pressing problem of health service delivery in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The Challenge is to develop and propose a solution that uses technology, supported by research, to improve health outcomes for people living in regional and remote Western Australia.
Ten finalists have progressed to the proof-of-concept stage, where they will have 12 months to deliver their solution on the ground in the Pilbara.
AHCWA’s Biannual CLG Face-to-Face Meeting
The Biannual Clinical Leadership Group Face-to-Face Meeting was held on June 22 2023 at AHCWA. It was great to see so many of our members services represented, and thanks again to everyone who attended – your participation was greatly appreciated!
NACCHO update with Dr Megan Campbell
NACCHO’s Medical Advisor attended the full day meeting in person and was able to provide the Clinical Leadership Group some valuable insights into the work occurring at NACCHO, as well as NACCHO’s current clinical priorities.
e-Prescribing and Clinical Workflow
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service’s Dr Daniel Hunt provided us a great presentation on how Derbarl has integrated ePrescribing into their clinical workflow. It was useful to see both how the clinician and the patient see ePrescribing tokens, and good to see the uptake at this service.
Walkern Katatdjin – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Telethon Kid’s Institute Research Assistant, Shakara Liddelow-Hunt, presented on their research. This was a thought-provoking talk that stimulated a lot of discussion around how ACCHS can work to be inclusive of LGBTQIA+ communities, and the challenges these young people may face when accessing care or community. It raised questions of the role of SEWB in these spaces, and the need for training for ACCHS in this space. AHCWA is happy to report that this project’s next phase is in developing culturally secure training, and we will update you as this progresses.
Find more information here.
PHMO Update/Member Discussion
Our last session for the day was an update from Public Health Medical Officer, Dr Caitlyn White, reflecting on a number of themes raised throughout the day, as well as touching on the rise in influenza case numbers and need for influenza vaccinations. This session was a facilitated discussion of member’s priorities, and we would like to thank everyone for their involvement in this. This information will inform AHCWA’s PHCQI planning and activity over the coming months.
If you want any further information about this meeting, or access to recordings, slides, or contracts of certain sessions, pleaser reach out to AHCWA at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.
WA Tuberculosis Control Program
Dr Justin Waring, Medical Director of the Anita Clayton Centre, spoke on the current Tuberculosis outbreaks occurring. This discussion also included the most effective methods for testing and treating of Tuberculosis, and the need for robust contact tracing. It was an illuminating talk, and the need to include Tuberculosis higher in your possible differential diagnoses lists was evident. The work GRAMS has been doing around Tuberculosis was highlighted, and Dr Caitlyn White, AHCWA”s PHMO, will be advocating to the Anita Clayton Centre to increase the integration with ACCHS in future.
Country PatHS and Country Health Connection
Russel Simpson, Director Aboriginal Health Strategy, and Stephanie Water, Director Outpatient Reform and Access, from WACHS presented on their programs Country PatHS and Country Health Connect.
Country PatHS is a journey coordination and support service for vulnerable people from the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest or Goldfields regions and their supports travelling to Perth for access to specialist healthcare. They assist with health journey coordination, accommodation access, linkage and referral to relevant services, support and transport, and support connection country, family and community. They recommend early referral in order to get the most out of this service.
Country Health Connection provides culturally appropriate transport for Aboriginal patients/carers travelling from rural and remote regions to Perth for specialist and medical services. These services are only available for those who meeting PATS criteria.
See here for more information.
This presentation stimulated further discussion around other WACHS services, and AHCWA will be having further meetings with relevant parties to discuss issues including medical imaging, clinical documentation/health information, and medical billing. AHCWA will continue to update you on the outcomes of these meetings as they occur.