Helping Patients Overcome Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening Participation
In Australia, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is one in seven for women and one in 556 for men. In addition, around 80% of new breast cancer cases occur in women aged 50 and older [1]. Early detection and proper treatment can greatly enhance breast cancer survival rates, with mammograms being […]
Connecting Patients to the Right Mental Health Support
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, with this year’s theme, “Let’s Talk About It” prompting all to reflect on our mental health and wellbeing. Mental health is a key component of overall health and wellbeing covering a range of disorders including anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. In a recent report conducted by the Australian […]
Dr Walid Jammal to be Awarded Sidney Sax Medal
On Thursday 26 September 2024, the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association announced that Dr Walid Jammal, Western Sydney GP, will be awarded the 2024 Sidney Sax medal for outstanding contributions to the development and improvement of Australia’s health care system. The Sidney Sax Medal was first awarded by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association in […]
The 2024 Western Sydney Immunisation Bike Competition Begins
The Western Sydney Immunisation Bike Competition is back for its annual run. Since its inception in 2011, the competition has helped immunise 16,972 children. Last year alone, over 500 children registered through our participating general practices. The 2024 competition runs until 31 January 2025. Every child who receives their 12-month, 18-month or four-year-old immunisation from […]
Shaping the Future of Health Care in Western Sydney: 2024 Impact West Summit
Left to right – Ms Lindsay Cane AM: WentWest Board, Conjoint Professor Diana O’Halloran AO: WentWest Chair, Steven Adams: WentWest Board, Jane Assange: WentWest, Anthea Markham: WentWest, Dr Michael Fasher: WentWest, Dr Norman Swan AM, Michelle Quinn: WentWest and Andrew Newton: WentWest CEO. Last week, we hosted the landmark all-day event, the 2024 Impact West […]
Promoting Child Health and Wellbeing: The Blue Book
Western Sydney is home to a diverse and growing population, with 52.6% of Western Sydney residents born overseas and 58.2% using a non-English language at home1. Both statistics are higher than the NSW average of 34.6% and 32.4% respectively1. With a high level of cultural diversity in the region, GPs have an important role in […]
First Mount Druitt Health Care Neighbourhood Networking Event
On Thursday 5 September 2024, we hosted our first Mount Druitt Health Care Neighbourhood networking event at Blacktown International Sports Park. The event successfully expanded the place-based approach which has been applied in the Cumberland region, aiming to provide greater connectivity between local health care providers. On the night, over 70 health professionals, community members […]
Suicide Prevention: A Call to Action for Health Care Providers
In 2023, there were 934 suspected or confirmed suicide deaths recorded in NSW[1]. Health care providers are often on the frontline of mental health care, encountering patients who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours. It’s essential to recognise the situational stressors and social determinants of health that are often the underlying factors contributing to a […]
WentWest Receives Highly Commended in Health 2024 Core Values Award
Dr Coralie Wales, Lead Facilitator, Community Partnerships at WentWest, with Judith Murray, Greg Kilby, Tapan Bhasvar and Joseph Meyer from the Western Sydney Citizens’ Assembly We are delighted to have been awarded the 2024 Highly Commended Health Core Value Award for our work conducted in partnership with community in establishing the Western Sydney Citizens’ Assembly. […]
Electronic Referral System Expands in Western Sydney
The introduction of electronic referrals (eReferrals) was established as a state-wide project to improve the quality and safety of referral processes, ease of use, avoiding wastage and minimising patient delay to accessing ambulatory care services. Users can benefit from pre-populated data, field validation, consistency checks and the ability to track and save drafts of referrals. […]