WA Primary Health Alliance acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders of this country and recognises the significant importance of their cultural heritage, values and beliefs and how these contribute to the positive health and wellbeing of the whole community. Service Provider Connect #100 - 10 July 2024 In this edition:
Executive General Manager’s foreword
Procurement and contracting - Supporting Recovery pilot update
Strategic update - 2024-2026 WA Primary Health Alliance Digital Health Strategy
- Review of First Nations mental health and suicide prevention services and the Integrated Team Care program
General information - WAPHA’s photo library of communities across WA
News and media - New adult mental health site opens in Northam
- Non-dispensing pharmacists enhancing multidisciplinary care for chronic heart failure patients in the Midwest
- Reclaiming dignity: A collaborative approach to support aging at home
Training and events - Mental health Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool training sessions
Resources - Commissioning policies and procedures
- Previous editions of Service Provider Connect
- Our services webpage
Executive General Manager's foreword The year’s NAIDOC Week theme, Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud, honours the enduring strength and vitality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people through culturally safe and community-driven approaches is a priority for WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA). We know Aboriginal people remain disadvantaged in accessing health services and experience significantly disparate health and wellbeing outcomes and we have an opportunity to contribute to the change we wish to see.
WAPHA has embedded a focus on Aboriginal people and Aboriginal health across our organisation to activate our commitment to closing the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal people. We will invest in programs and services that are culturally appropriate for Aboriginal people, collaborate to understand and attend to their needs and aspirations. Commissioning the right balance of services that provide culturally appropriate clinical treatment, improve social and emotional wellbeing, and maintain connection to culture throughout the healthcare journey is critical.
WAPHA continues to strengthen our relationship with the Aboriginal community controlled sector through the development of a Statement of Collaborative Intent with the Aboriginal Health Council of WA with clear actions and outcomes.
NAIDOC Week is a great opportunity to learn more about the oldest continuous living culture on earth. I encourage you to celebrate, get involved, and take part in activities and events happening in your community this week. Tony Fotios Acting Executive General Manager - Commissioned Services Procurement and Contracting Supporting Recovery pilot update The Australian Government is funding WAPHA’s Country WA Primary Health Network to develop trauma-informed recovery care services for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence. Two complementary service types will be commissioned in Geraldton by WAPHA during 2024, providing case management and psychological therapies for up to two years per client. Interested organisations in Geraldton can subscribe to receive WAPHA tender notifications and express interest in delivering one or both services. Visit the FDSV Project Page for more information on WAPHA’s approach to supporting an effective primary health care response to FDSV or email fdsv@wapha.org.au.
Strategic Update
2024-2026 WA Primary Health Alliance Digital Health Strategy
The rapidly changing nature of the Australian health care system is transforming the way clinicians provide care and creating new expectations for care teams.
As the operator of WA’s three Primary Health Networks, WAPHA’s role is to simplify access to primary care by planning, guiding and directing investment towards important services. By using data and technology to assist us in improving and prwa primary healthoviding a more coordinated approach, we can better identify priorities, link services, and fund options for better primary care.
Embracing the powers of technology is streamlining our healthcare systems, aiding patient care and ensuring better informed treatment decisions. It is also helping address the inequity resulting from workforce shortages and long distances.
Find out more about the major digital trends in health care and what this means for WAPHA and the health care providers we commission in our 2024-2026 Digital Health Strategy and accompanying Strategy Snapshot.
Review of First Nations mental health and suicide prevention services and the Integrated Team Care program
In September 2022, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC) engaged First Nations Co and Ninti One Limited to conduct an independent review of sector funding arrangements and service provider capability for First Nations Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services and the Integrated Team Care program. These services are commissioned by Primary Health Networks (PHN), including WAPHA.
The Review looked at how these services can best be delivered in a way that supports the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
WAPHA is aware the final report has been released and is awaiting further advice and direction from DHAC regarding recommendations. We recognise the importance of working together with Aboriginal stakeholders and communities in the transition planning process. DHAC has advised there will be consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders and PHNs around next steps in the near future, and WAPHA will communicate with relevant service providers in more detail as information becomes available.
General Information WAPHA’s photo library of communities across WA
As part of WAPHA’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competency, we have developed a contemporary library of photographs that represents a cross section of communities across WA. These photos will help our communities feel included and well represented in marketing materials.
These images are free for WAPHA commissioned service providers to use, and are approved for commercial and non-commercial use.
If you would like to access and use these photographs, please email communications@wapha.org.au.
Thank you to those organisations and individuals who collaborated with WAPHA to produce these photos, including Great Southern Migrant Services, Albany Pride, East Metropolitan Health Service, William Langford House, Leonora’s Nyunngaku Women’s Group and African Goldfields Committee.
News and Media New adult mental health site opens in Northam
Northam Head to Health, evolving to Northam Medicare Mental Health Centre later this year, has opened its doors, offering free advice, support and, if needed, assessment and treatment for people experiencing stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges.
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Non-dispensing pharmacists enhancing multidisciplinary care for chronic heart failure patients in the Midwest
As part of the Chronic Heart Failure Pilot Project, WAPHA partnered with the WA branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to integrate non-dispensing pharmacists into the multidisciplinary teams within two general practices in Geraldton. Across Australia, positive results have been clearly delivered through the placement of non-dispensing pharmacists into general practice multidisciplinary teams.
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Reclaiming dignity: A collaborative approach to support aging at homeAustralia’s aged care system can be complex, with some people in our communities experiencing a higher degree of difficulty to navigate. To help break down the barriers, WAPHA commissioned care finder service organisations to provide specialised assistance to people needing extra support to access aged care services. These people would be likely to otherwise fall through the cracks due to isolation, communication or cognitive issues, or a history of negative experiences with institutions or government.
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