HealthPathways Continues to Expand to Support Health Professionals
Western Sydney HealthPathways is an online tool that provides health professionals with local clinical information and resources about managing medical conditions and referral options for their patients. Western Sydney HealthPathways was established in 2013 as a partnership between the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN), Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) and Sydney Children’s Hospitals […]
Cultivating Community to Improve Health Outcomes
Western Sydney has one of the largest populations of First Nations peoples in Australia, with over 20,537 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples calling Western Sydney, on Darug land, home[i]. Unfortunately, despite improvements to the life expectancy of First Nations peoples, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children born in NSW between 2020-2022 are still expected […]
Preparing For and Protecting Against Winter Illnesses
As we enter the cooler months of the year, it is important to implement winter preparedness activities to ensure the health and safety of our community. Influenza (flu) cases tend to peak between June and September in Australia each year as the temperature starts to drop. Vaccination is the best protection against respiratory illnesses such […]
Creating a Standardised Language for Mental Health Care
The Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) is a platform to help referrers find the best care for patients. The tool uses eight assessment domains to estimate the service patients require across five levels of care. Combined with clinical judgement, this standardised, evidence-based model, can help ensure that patients are connected to the most appropriate local […]
Inaugural Cumberland Health Care Neighbourhood Networking Event
Michelle Quinn, Interim CEO at WentWest, Judith Harkness, Councillor Ola Hamed, Deputy Mayor at Cumberland Council, Jane Assange, Director of the Primary Care Transformation and Integration team at WentWest On Thursday 22 February, the WentWest team hosted the inaugural Cumberland Health Care Neighbourhood Networking event. Having identified the need for greater connection in health care […]
Interim CEO – Michelle Quinn
With the departure of Ray Messom as CEO of WentWest, we are pleased to welcome Michelle Quinn to the role of Interim CEO. Michelle has been at WentWest for over four years, leading the Strategic Commissioning and Insights directorate as Executive Director. She has vast experience working with staff and stakeholders beyond her portfolio and […]
Helping Young People Quit Vaping and E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are filled with liquids which typically contain nicotine, artificial flavourings and various chemicals. The liquid is heated into a vapour which is then inhaled into the users lungs. Unlike cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco. Electronic cigarettes can be harmful to users and non-users who are exposed to the aerosols […]
Giving People a Head Start in Finding the Right Mental Health Support
The growing use of technology and web-based sources has given people direct access to a wide range of available mental health services. However, it can be difficult for people to find the right services for their needs. To assist in connecting community and health professionals with the right services, we commission Headstart. Headstart is an […]
Beat the Heat in Western Sydney
While severe weather can occur at any time of the year, October to April is the peak time for severe weather in Western Sydney. During these months, it is not uncommon to experience conditions such as heatwaves, bushfires, severe thunderstorms and floods. Western Sydney, home to over 2.5 million people, is typically 6-10 degrees hotter […]
Post Pandemic Mental Health Support: PsychCentral
PsychCentral provides culturally competent services to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Western Sydney. Originating in 2005 in South Western Sydney, the team has since expanded its locations to include a Westmead office to cater to the local CALD community. PsychCentral is a skilled team of allied health professionals who […]