Finding the Costs of Specialist Services
Understanding the potential out-of-pocket medical costs can be confusing and worrying for people who require specialist services. Health professionals are best placed to recommend ways patients can learn more about possible additional and unexpected costs and help manage their concerns. The Department of Health and Aged Care launched the Medical Costs Finder tool to provide […]
Advancing Reconciliation in Western Sydney
National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June 2023) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible […]
Preventing and Managing Chronic Health Conditions in CALD Communities
Chronic conditions are an ongoing cause of substantial ill health, disability and premature death, making them an important health concern that often requires long-term management by individuals and health professionals. The Western Sydney population has a higher prevalence of health risk factors than the Metropolitan Sydney population, including smoking, physical inactivity and obesity. These […]
Maintaining the Best Quality of Life for Palliative Care Patients
Palliative care is considered a human right, however, only approximately 14% of people worldwide who need palliative care receive it[1]. Palliative care is not just about dying but is an approach that improves the quality of life of people with a life-threatening illness and their families. This includes the prevention and relief from the […]
HealthPathways: A Fundamental Tool for All Health Professionals
As the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, we’ve partnered with the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) for ten years to deliver the Western Sydney HealthPathways tool. This valuable online resource provides health professionals with quick and easy access to localised, up-to-date, evidence-based information, resources, and referral options […]
Improving Breast Cancer Education to Save Lives
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in NSW. One in seven women and one in 600 men in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, but almost half of women aged 50-74 years are not having their recommended two-yearly mammograms[1]. Early detection and appropriate treatment can significantly improve breast […]
The PCMH Model: Supporting Primary Care Transformation Across Western Sydney
The Patient Centred Medical Homes (PCMH) model plays a pivotal role in achieving improved health for populations, enhanced patient experiences, health care cost reductions and better support for health professionals. On Saturday 17 September, we hosted ‘The Time is Now!’ PCMH Masterclass to explore further aspects of patient care transformation and encourage networking between practice […]
Helping People Live a Drug and Alcohol-Free Lifestyle
Many people have alcohol and other drug dependencies as the result of a combination of personal and complex underlying experiences or conditions. Abuse of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) can lead to illness, injuries sustained while intoxicated, brain damage and respiratory problems. The damage caused by AOD does not just affect the individual but also […]
Park Life – Getting Healthy with Live Life Get Active
18 August 2022 Live Life Get Active (LLGA) is a non-profit initiative that was developed seven years ago to develop a series of exercise classes to address low levels of physical activity in the community. With so many Australians leading an inactive lifestyle, commuting long distances and spending long days at their desks, they are […]
My Health Record Facilitating Patient Care Coordination
28 July 2022 My Health Record is an online tool that summarises an individual’s health information and can be shared securely online between the individual and health care providers. My Health Record gives health care providers access to patient health information in a timely and efficient manner to improve the coordination of care of […]