Help Keep Western Sydney Safe During Extreme Heat This Summer
Western Sydney regularly experiences temperatures up to 6–10 degrees hotter than other parts of Sydney. Combined with rapid population growth, these conditions make the region highly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as heatwaves. The first National Climate Risk Assessment warns that heatwave-related deaths in Sydney could rise by more than 400 per cent (1). […]
Orygen Spotlights Mental Health Needs in Western Sydney
Orygen, Australia’s leading youth mental health research and advocacy organisation, has released a case study spotlighting Western Sydney. The study, part of Project Impact, examined the Youth Enhanced Support Service (YESS) and confirmed the critical need for free, comprehensive care that works within the family system. YESS Western Sydney (YESS WS), delivered by Uniting NSW.ACT, was selected by Orygen as […]
Residential Aged Care Homes: Keep up to Date with Vaccinations this Festive Season
Vaccines are the best protection of serious illness and hospitalisation in older people (1). From 1 November 2025, the new Aged Care Act 2024 strengthened the requirement for residential aged care providers to provide access to recommended vaccinations for their residents. This includes vaccines such as influenza, COVID-19, shingles and pneumococcal. As the festive season […]
Cervical Cancer Awareness Week: Help Prevent Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with most cervical cancers occurring in people who have never screened or do not screen regularly (1). This Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, encourage your patients to complete a Cervical Screening Test. Ask them: when was their last test? Cervical Screening Saves Lives Replacing the Pap test […]
Increase Testing Rates this World Diabetes Day
More than half of Western Sydney’s population is overweight and at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (1). This World Diabetes Day, Western Sydney Diabetes is calling on health professionals to consider annual HbA1c testing for all at-risk adults – under MBS Item 73839. Remember risk is much higher for people who: Are overweight or obese […]
It Takes a Village: Strengthening Health Partnerships in Cumberland
The recent Cumberland Health Care Neighbourhood Networking event brought health professionals together to strengthen trust and improve outcomes for children and families. The evening focused on collaboration – exploring challenges and opportunities for providers working side by side to ensure every child and family can thrive. It was a powerful reminder that it truly takes […]
Mental Health Referral Spoke Strengthens Service Navigation
The WentWest Mental Health Referral Spoke is an innovative, free service designed to support complex mental health and psychosocial referrals. Operating via the Medicare Mental Health phone line and GP referrals, the service enhances access and continuity of care. Since 2025, nearly 600 referrals have been processed by the WentWest referral team, with an average processing time of no […]
Whalan Medical Centre Achieves Remarkable Turnaround in Cervical Cancer Screening Participation
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, yet screening rates in Western Sydney remain significantly below the national average. With local data showing only 29% of eligible individuals participating in screening; compared to the national benchmark of 70%; the gap is both concerning and urgent to address. Whalan Medical Centre has […]
Health Professionals Be Alert for Malaria in Western Sydney
Western Sydney health professionals should be aware of malaria cases in people recently arrived from Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) African region was home to 94% of malaria cases (246 million) and 95% (569,000) of malaria deaths in 2023 (1). Recommendations Screen and test all refugees who have travelled from or transited through a malaria-endemic area within […]
Better Access Mental Health Program
Changes to the Better Access initiative will improve access, reduce complexity, and support stronger patient–GP relationships. Effective 1 November, 2025, the changes will make GPs and Prescribed Medical Practitioners (PMP) more central to the management of mental health care under Medicare, subject to the passage of legislation. Key Changes All Mental Health Treatment Plans and referrals […]