Rural Health West

23/12/2025

Regional round-up - Pilbara

Laura Stewart was the driving force behind the recent sold-out Pilbara Health Telethon Ball, which raised an incredible $81,000 for Telethon.

A pharmacist and owner of Pharmacy 777 Karratha, Tambrey, Port Hedland, and Pharmacy Help Karratha, Laura has long supported Telethon through her pharmacies.

Born and raised in the Pilbara, she was inspired to recreate the health ball she attended as an intern 15 years ago. With 240 guests in attendance, the event came to life thanks to incredible support of locals who donated everything; food and a volunteer chef, community entertainers and a special performance by the Perth Symphony Orchestra.

19/12/2025

Regional round-up - Wheatbelt

Northam Hospital Junior Medical Officers and medical students traded scrubs for boots at an emergency simulation and wellbeing morning held at Barton Park Events near York in August.
Hosted by Bruce and Karen Gentle, the day featured scenarios from bee stings to snake bites, cardiac arrests and arterial bleeding.

Guided by lead doctor facilitators Paul Gallagher, Pip Gray, Nicole Liesis, Julienne Roe and Anna Varone, the aspiring medicos walked away with sharper skills, stronger connections, and a healthy respect for WA’s fauna.

18/12/2025

Regional round-up - South West

More than 40 GPs, registrars, medical students and allied health professionals recently gathered for an engaging education evening dedicated to women’s health. The night wrapped up with a lively Q&A that evolved into what one guest beautifully described as our very own “yarning circle.”

Presenters brought energy and inclusivity to the discussion with guest speaker Dr Puvana Raman walking away with a handful of allied health business cards for future collaboration. Women’s health is an in-demand topic for the South West Health Professionals Network and is fast becoming a regular feature on the event calendar.

18/12/2025

We love visitors with goodies!!

It was great to welcome Claudine from Kimberley Med today, when she popped in to share some Christmas cheer and yummies with our GP locum team (Guy, Ces and Bron) today.

The team has worked closely with Claudine and Dr Jo this year, providing 197 days of GP locum coverage at Kimberley Medical and 561 days of locum coverage for Broome urgent care over the past 12 months!

Thank you Claudine and Jo for the lovely gift and also for supporting Broome families with top notch healthcare.

If you are keen to join our locum team to support Broome or other rural communities, drop us a line at locums@ruralhw.com.au or visit https://ruralhealthwest.com.au/vacancies/gp-locums/

17/12/2025

The Health Professionals Networks recently marked a major milestone surpassing 5,000 members for the first time. The achievement reflects the growing strength and value of the HPNs, which connect doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and students across every region of rural WA. From the South West to the Kimberley, the networks provide opportunities for professional development, collaboration and peer connection, ensuring health professionals in some of the State’s most isolated areas feel supported and engaged.

This milestone is the result of strong collaboration across the rural health sector, with key partners including statewide stakeholders; Rural Health West, WA Country Health Service, WA Primary Health Alliance, St John WA, and the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia. Associate stakeholders; Australian Medical Association (WA) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Regional stakeholders; the Royal Flying Doctor Service, University Departments of Rural Health and St John of God Bunbury Hospital.

17/12/2025

Help improve team-based primary health care!

Do you work as a general practice nurse, nurse practitioner, physiotherapist, or as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker or Practitioner?

The University of Sydney is conducting a national research project to learn more about how you support care in:
• general practices
• Aboriginal Medical Services
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.

The project will use the OCEAN tool, a safe online platform that collects de-identified information from 100 patients per health professional about:
• the health service
• the health professional’s background and experience.

This research will help researchers understand what you do and what skills you use. It will also support better teamwork in primary health care and help shape future health policies.

Learn more about the project by visiting ocean.sydney.edu.au or by contacting the research team by phone or email.

Phone: 1800 2 OCEAN (1800 262 326)
Email: ocean.study@sydney.edu.au

16/12/2025

Breaking cultural barriers in aged care

When Tahnee Nesbitt sits with an older person to guide them through the complexities of Australia’s aged care system, the atmosphere shifts. Shoulders relax, conversations flow more naturally, and trust begins to flourish. For many Aboriginal people, seeing an Aboriginal face in this space makes all the difference.

Tahnee is one of only two Aboriginal Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessors in WA and just one of around 14 across the country. In this role, she prioritises assessments for Aboriginal people identified for the Transitional Care Program (TCP) run by South West Aboriginal Medical Services (SWAMS). This is vital, not only in ensuring Aboriginal people accessing aged care services receive culturally safe assessments, but also in breaking down barriers that have historically kept many from accessing the support they need.

Growing up in Papunya, an Aboriginal community near Alice Springs, Tahnee never imagined she would one day be guiding Aboriginal Elders through the aged care system. Her early career was focused on children, working in community services, counselling, and behaviour management.

But as her career progressed, she began to see how the same barriers that affected young people were also impacting older generations. It was during her work with WA Country Health Service that she noticed the need in aged care.

“We were having trouble getting Aboriginal patients assessed before they left hospital,” Tahnee said.

Find out more here: https://ruralhealthwest.com.au/6mrg

15/12/2025

Funded through the Rural Health Outreach Fund (RHOF), a recently introduced outreach sonography service is making a significant difference to patients in some of the Kimberley’s most remote Aboriginal communities.

Delivered by Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd (KAMS), the service provides essential diagnostic imaging directly to Country – improving access, reducing cultural and logistical barriers, and offering a more cost-effective model of care.

Led by experienced sonographer Julia Mayes, visits are focused on communities with high rates of missed sonography appointments, particularly among pregnant women who are currently referred to Broome or Kununurra through the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS).

The need for an alternative is clear. Travel often involves being away from home for three to five days, creating disruption for families and significant discomfort for women in late pregnancy. Many patients are also reluctant to leave Country due to cultural obligations or anxiety around flying. These challenges contribute to growing concerns among imaging specialists, who report increasing frustration that scans are being missed and opportunities for early diagnosis lost.

In addition to performing diagnostic scans, Julia worked closely with local GPs to improve clinical capability, identifying equipment gaps, offering technical guidance, and supporting diagnostic decisions on site. In one instance, the clinic’s existing ultrasound machine was found to be unsuitable for trauma-related scanning and lacked the correct probe for vascular assessments. Julia’s presence enabled immediate scanning and avoided a costly and unnecessary transfer.

14/12/2025

Registered Nurse Kate Guscott might not be a born-and-bred sandgroper, but thanks to the WA Country Health Service travel program, she’s explored more of WA than most.

The program offers nurses and midwives a 12-month fixed-term contract made up of three country rotations they get to choose, combining meaningful work with unforgettable experiences.

Not a bad way to discover the state, if you ask us.

Read more about it here:

She hails from Queensland, but Registered Nurse Kate Guscott has seen more of Western Australia than most sandgropers thanks to our TRAVEL program.

The program gives nurses and midwives the opportunity to take on a 12-month fixed term contract split into three country rotations of their choice.

We reckon that's a pretty great way to see the state 😎

Read more: bit.ly/4nfNERO

13/12/2025

This month we’re learning about a significant moment in Australia’s history: 24 December 1993, when the Native Title Act came into effect.

The Act followed the 1992 Mabo decision, where the High Court overturned terra nullius and recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ enduring rights to their lands and waters. Eddie Koiki Mabo and the Meriam people’s efforts reshaped Australia’s understanding of land, justice, and truth.

This December, we encourage you to take a moment to educate yourself on native title, the Mabo case, and the ongoing importance of First Nations land rights. Learning is an act of allyship.

12/12/2025

If you’ve ever read one of our publications or reports, or attended one of our events, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the handiwork of our incredibly talented graphic designer, Julie who retired yesterday after an amazing 18 years with Rural Health West.

As she closes this chapter and begins her next adventure with her family, we wish her all the joy, rest and well-deserved celebration that retirement brings.

Thank you Julie from everyone here at Rural Health West 🎉🎉🎉🙌🙌🙌

11/12/2025

Taking a break from Christmas leftovers and holiday chaos?

Perfect! That’s prime time to film your entry for the Live and Work Rural Video Competition!

Tell us why you love living, working or studying in rural WA.
And thanks to RACGP joining as a sponsor, the competition has been extended to 1 March 2026, with a very merry prize pool:
🥇 $2,000
🥈 $1,000
🥉 $500

So while the rest of the family is napping, nibbling, or negotiating over board games… hit record and show us your rural story!

Check out the details here: https://ruralhealthwest.com.au/comp