Helping to Support Young Patients to Quit: A Call for Western Sydney GPs
Many parents are not aware that their children had tried or were currently using nicotine products, as reported by Quit Centre. The latest National Child Health Poll from The Royal Children’s Hospital found that of those children who reported current use of nicotine, more than a third (38%) indicated they were using multiple types of […]
Supporting Trans Communities in Western Sydney this Trans Day of Visibility
Tuesday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) — a moment to stand proudly with trans and gender‑diverse people across Western Sydney, where vibrant and diverse communities continue to grow despite persistent barriers to visibility and safety. Western Sydney is home to large LGBTQ+ populations spread across suburbs including Parramatta, Blacktown, Auburn, Fairfield, Penrith, Liverpool, Bankstown and […]
Primary Care Nurses 2026: Award Recipients Announced!
Patient care emerged as the strongest theme across the nominations submitted for WentWest’s newly launched Primary Care Nurses Day recognition program. Almost 40 nominations were received, with many team members putting forward a colleague for the Nominate a Nurse campaign. A panel selected five outstanding Western Sydney nurses whose submissions closely reflected the program criteria, including their impact, contribution to their workplace, […]
Immunisation Bike Competition: Vaccination Rates for Young Children Improve in Western Sydney
Western Sydney Immunisation rates for young children have risen thanks in part to the annual WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, Immunisation Bike Competition. On-time vaccination is the best way to protect your child, family and community against vaccine-preventable diseases. Under the National Immunisation Program, vaccines are due at birth, 6-8 weeks, 4 months, […]
National Advance Care Planning Week 2026 – A Call to Action for Western Sydney Clinicians
National Advance Care Planning Week (16–22 March) is an important reminder for all of us working in health care: despite strong community support for planning ahead, only one in three Australians have taken steps to plan their future healthcare, and just 6% have completed a formal advance care directive. For clinicians across Western Sydney, this […]
World Obesity Day 2026: A Call to Action for Western Sydney
Western Sydney continues to face some of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in Australia, with half of the population above a healthy weight and at risk of chronic disease. Western Sydney residents are twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to those living in Sydney’s Eastern or Northern suburbs—impacting especially Aboriginal, Torres Strait […]
Genomics Hub Helps GPs with Genetic Detection
Western Sydney GPs now have access to a new national learning hub designed to strengthen early recognition of genetic conditions in primary care. Funded by WentWest and developed in Western Sydney, the PRECISE Genomics in Primary Care Hub, delivered by Medcast, offers rapid, point‑of‑care education and practical tools tailored specifically for general practice. Genomics is […]
Supporting Your Patients During Ramadan
Ramadan is an important month of fasting, reflection and community for many patients across Western Sydney. With 10.7% of Western Sydney residents identifying as Muslim, Islam is the second‑largest religion in our region, meaning a significant number of patients will be observing Ramadan and may require tailored clinical support during this period (1). For GPs, Ramadan presents […]
New Changes to Digital Health: Better and Faster Access (Share by Default)
Important updates are being made to the way health information is shared in Australia’s healthcare system. New laws were recently introduced which ensures more health information will be automatically uploaded and available sooner in My Health Record. This change will help patients and healthcare providers have quicker access to the latest information, so patients can […]
Celebrate, Nominate, Participate: Primary Health Care Nurses Day 2026
Primary Health Care Nurses Day (PHCND) on 4 February is an opportunity to highlight the incredible work nurses do for our communities. This day shines a light on the vital contributions of nurses working outside hospital settings, including aged care, general practice, community health, schools, custodial care and other primary health care environments. The 2026 theme, “Essential at Every Stage,” celebrates […]