Listening and Walking Together
Listening and acting together to make real health change for First Nations communities in Western Sydney was a key theme of National Reconciliation Week for WentWest. The 2026 Reconciliation Week theme, All In, calls on all health professionals to work with community to continuing to listen, strengthening partnerships, and supporting a health system shaped by […]
Breaking Barriers: Improving Cancer Screening in Cumberland
Health professionals, community organisations and residents came together at the recent Cumberland Neighbourhood Networking event to explore how to improve cancer screening participation across the region. Discussions focused on encouraging people to visit their GP and to feel confident sharing their experiences with family and friends. The session, Strengthening Cancer Prevention, is the fifth in […]
New Digital Health Course Announced
The Australian Digital Health Agency has launched a free digital health eLearning course for nursing and midwifery students. Developed in collaboration with La Trobe University, the Digital Health Foundations for Nursing and Midwifery: Competency Preparation for Placement course includes five modules covering digital professionalism, leadership and advocacy, data and information quality, information-enabled care, and technology in practice. […]
MyHealth Record – Updated Legislation
The MyHealth Record legislative framework has been updated to ensure the MyHealth Record system remains contemporary, clear and aligned with modern digital health practices. The new MyHealth Records Regulations 2026 and MyHealth Records Rules 2026 modernise and clarify requirements, including those relating to security and record-keeping, while improving readability and supporting practical implementation across the […]
Never miss a BEAT: Take Action This Heart Week
This Heart Week, we’re encouraging health professionals to Never miss a BEAT by using the latest tools and resources to deliver more Heart Health Checks to eligible patients. Heart disease remains Australia’s leading cause of death, with one Australian experiencing a heart attack or stroke every four minutes. In Western Sydney, many people face significant […]
Syphilis Cases on the Rise in Australia
Syphilis cases are on the rise in Australia, with case numbers more than doubling over the past decade (2014 – 2024) (1). Due to the scale and severity, syphilis was declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS) in 2025 by the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) (2). Syphilis can affect anyone, with […]
Meeting Rising Demand for Early Psychosis Care in Western Sydney
The future of early psychosis care for young people was the focus of the annual Australian Early Psychosis Program (AEPP) forum, held in Westmead earlier this month and supported by WentWest. Demand for youth mental health and early psychosis services is rising sharply across Western Sydney, with headspace services reporting that presentations have doubled in some areas. In just six months, […]
Healthy Ageing Frailty Early Intervention Program
Frailty Impacts Felt Across Western Sydney Increased visits of older people into General Practices are continuing to highlight the importance of early prevention and timely intervention of Frailty. A commonly held misconception of frailty is that it is a normal part of ageing. Frailty affects up to one in four people aged 70 and over, […]
Collaborating Across Care: Strengthening Integrated Health Services with WSLHD
Collaborating for Better Health Outcomes Strong collaboration and integration of community health services was showcased at the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Integrated and Community Health (ICH) Conference 2026 in Blacktown this week. Attended by more than 130 ICH clinicians, leaders and partners from across the district, the Conference focused provided an important opportunity […]
New Specific Populations Resource Hub for GPs
The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) has developed a new suite of resources to assist GPs in providing inclusive, trauma informed and culturally safe care to patients from diverse backgrounds. These resources, each developed in collaboration with GPs, a carer representative and a consumer representative, are designed to support Mental Health Treatment Plans, […]