Parents are running out of time to vaccinate their children if they want to avoid having their family support payments cut under the Commonwealth Government’s No Jab, No Pay rules.

A new report on General Practice in the region has been released.

Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s General Practice in Western New South Wales, August 2018, has detailed analysis on the state of General Practice in the Western NSW PHN area.

Influenza activity is increasing across NSW. Key things to note include:
1. Flu cases are likely to escalate in the coming weeks.
2. Influenza A (H1N1) is the predominant circulating strain this year.
3. Free influenza vaccine for ALL children aged from 6 months to under 5 years of age, pregnant women and other high risk groups is available from the State Vaccine Centre.

Primary care providers have a vital role in eliminating Viral Hepatitis in Australia.

With effective viral hepatitis treatments available to help manage hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C, Australia is leading the way for a future without viral hepatitis, which is the theme of Hepatitis Awareness Week 2018.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year NAIDOC Week runs from 8 - 15 July.

Western NSW Primary Health Network has joined with five other PHNs in NSW to fund ProCare Mental Health Services to provide a new psychiatry support line for GPs.

Starting this week GPs in the WNSW PHN region will be able to talk to a psychiatrist on the phone or via secure messaging to help them with the management of the mental health care of their patients.

Residents of western and far western NSW are encouraged to attend local workshops to have their say about health priorities in their communities.

Andrew Harvey, Chief Executive Officer of the WNSW PHN said, “The workshops will seek insights from community and service providers on the storyline for health in their areas; including emerging health issues, gaps in services and advice on how to deliver appropriate and culturally safe primary health care.”

The Western NSW Primary Health Network will be conducting community and service provider workshops in June/July as part of the 2018 Health Needs Assessment to inform service planning.

Survey of Health Priorities

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) in partnership with the Western and Far West Local Health Districts has commissioned a comprehensive survey of community views about health priorities and health service improvements. Residents across Western and Far Western NSW will have a chance to have their say on local health issues.