Executive General Manager's foreword

Harmony Week (17-23 March) gives us the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the strength of Australia’s vibrant multicultural communities and refocus on the importance of culturally safe and inclusive care.

We recognise some people and communities don’t have the same access to quality health care and experience ongoing poor health outcomes. Engaging with and navigating the health care system can be daunting and confusing, especially for people from multicultural communities. Cultural competency improves equity and access, and it all starts with ensuring the services we commission reach the right people and are delivered in a way that meets their needs.

WA Primary Health Alliance’s (WAPHA) commitment to cultural competency, inclusion and diversity guides how we commission primary health care services and how we advocate to improve equity and access. We know it is an ongoing journey of continuous individual learning and organisational improvement to ensure best practice in health service delivery. This involves listening to, and learning from, the community on how to better engage, commission, and deliver safe services.

We are currently finalising our Cultural Competency, Equity and Inclusion Commissioning Guidelines, setting out WAPHA’s expectations and requirements of commissioned service providers in relation to cultural competency, cultural safety, equity, and inclusion, and will share these with you shortly.

You can also find out more about our Multicultural Competency and Capability Framework.

Kind Regards

Mark Cockayne

Executive General Manager Commissioned Services

General information

Head to Health evolves to Medicare Mental Health

Head to Health has evolved to Medicare Mental Health, making face-to-face, online, and digital initiatives more consistent with other trusted health services funded by the Australian Government.

Medicare Mental Health is an Australian Government initiative that helps people access the mental health and wellbeing services that are right for them. It comprises of a digital platform, phone service (1800 595 212) and a network of Medicare Mental Health Centres.

Medicare Mental Health Centres offer a walk-in service providing advice, support and, if needed, assessment and treatment for people 18 years and over experiencing emotional and psychological distress. Services include support for family, carers and friends. The centres offer immediate, short-term and medium-term care, and help connect people to ongoing services, when required.

WAPHA, as the operator of WA’s three Primary Health Networks, has worked closely with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, St John of God Social Outreach and Holyoake to ensure a smooth transition of the services in Midland, Armadale, Mirrabooka, Gosnells and Northam.

Take a look at the refreshed webpages for WA’s Medicare Mental Health Centre locations

Rural Health West Conference 2025 - Mental health screening for Aboriginal people in primary health care

WAPHA is proud to be supporting Emma Carlin and Erica Spry from the University of Western Australia and Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services to bring insights into their research and application of mental health screening for Aboriginal people in primary health care.

Their presentation on 22 March will explore mental health screening within remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, focusing on barriers, enablers, and outcomes for Aboriginal people and health services. Culturally specific tools will be discussed alongside the need for screening tools to be integrated, into strengths-based health systems that address systemic challenges and support holistic care.

National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 released

The Australian Government and the National Suicide Prevention Office have released the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035.

The National Suicide Prevention Strategy outlines what is required to provide a national, evidence-based and compassionate suicide prevention system. It aims to prevent suicide by addressing the circumstances that lead to suicidal distress and to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts and those who care for them.

The Strategy has been designed to align with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy recently released by Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) in acknowledgement that a reduction in the rate of suicide cannot be achieved without addressing the increasing number of lives lost to suicide within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Expression of Interest - National Suicide Prevention Office Lived Experience Partnership Group

The National Suicide Prevention Office (NPSO) aims to guide and support all levels and parts of government to take coordinated, comprehensive and consistent action to reduce suicide and suicidality. The Lived Experience Partnership Group was established to ensure that people with a lived and living experience of suicide are partners in the work of the NSPO. The NSPO is currently seeking Expressions of interest to appoint 4 new members to the Lived Experience Partnership Group. Expressions of interest close 13 April 2025.

Find out more

Translating and Interpreting Services for PHN-funded mental health services extended for an additional year

Access to Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS National) for PHN commissioned mental health services has been extended for an additional 12 months to 30 June 2026. This measure ensures people with limited or no English language proficiency can access the mental health services and programs they need.

News and media

Gosnells Medicare Urgent Care Clinic officially opens

Gosnells Medicare Urgent Care Clinic recently welcomed Federal Member for Burt, Matt Keogh, to officially open the clinic. The clinic provides treatment for urgent, but not life-threatening, illnesses and injuries requiring same day assessment for people who may otherwise have visited an emergency department.

WAPHA has facilitated the establishment of and provides ongoing support for eight Urgent Care Clinics across WA, offering communities urgent care in a general practice setting.

headspace Bunbury officially opens new centre to enhance youth mental health support

headspace Bunbury officially opened its new centre, welcoming special guests including Senator Louise Pratt, representatives from headspace National and headspace Bunbury Youth Advisory Committee and staff to celebrate the centre’s vital role in supporting local youth mental health and wellbeing.

Enhanced capacity at the new centre means more young people in the area can access youth-friendly mental health care. headspace Bunbury has supported 11,891 young people and delivered 52,493 occasions of service since opening in 2013.

Read more

Procurement and contracting

Integrated Primary Mental Health Care - Pilbara update

WAPHA is pleased to confirm the re-implementation of the Integrated Primary Mental Health Care program in the Pilbara is progressing, with procurement discussions with Anglicare WA underway.

We appreciate the work Anglicare WA has undertaken, including extensive stakeholder consultation and modelling for service.

This preparatory work will ensure the service can respond to local need in a remote location, considering the context and complexities of the Pilbara, and deliver the best mental health outcomes for the region.

WAPHA remains committed to working closely with Anglicare WA to re-establish the service as soon as is practicable.

Refreshed tender webpage

WAPHA has refreshed our tender webpage, improving functionality and making it easier for users to navigate.

Take a look

Current tenders

Register to be notified of upcoming tenders.

Training and events

Resources