Executive General Manager's foreword

This week WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) launched Depression starts small, get help before it grows, a campaign that plays into the age-old metaphor of the black dog, updating it to introduce the black puppy as a symbol for early awareness of mild to moderate depression. 

This campaign is designed to raise awareness of the early symptoms of depression and promote help seeking behaviours. This thought-provoking campaign is the culmination of many months of research, interviews with people with lived experience and discussions with primary care clinicians and mental health professionals.

The message we want to get across is that getting on top of depression early, before it grows, is important and that you don’t need to deal with this alone. 

Of course, while seeing your GP is a great idea, people can also get help from many other sources, including Head to Health, Head to Health phone line 1800 595 212 and Medicare Mental Health Centres. 

We hope this campaign will make an impression and contribute to reducing stigma and encouraging people to reach out and seek help, and I encourage you to watch the campaign and share with your staff and clients.  

Kind regards

Mark Cockayne

Executive General Manager – Commissioned Services

General information

WAPHA contract management and procurement update 

WAPHA is committed to continuously improving the way we do things through our systems and processes and by working in partnership with our commissioned service providers.

We have recently made some changes within our contract management and procurement team to align contract managers with service activities so that we can provide greater expertise and consistency across service contracts. This may mean you will be liaising with different contract managers depending on the contracts you have.

WAPHA’s contract management and procurement team will reach out directly with further information as we implement these changes.

WAPHA's Service Provider Panel - August Communique 

Discussion at the recent meeting of WAPHA’s Service Provider Panel centred around multidisciplinary care. Questions posed to the panel included:

-   What opportunities do you see for your organisation in supporting WAPHA’s activities in commissioning and embedding primary health care multidisciplinary teams focused on WA’s disadvantaged/ under-served communities?

-   What challenges do you see for your organisation in supporting WAPHA’s activities in commissioning and embedding primary health care multidisciplinary teams focused on WA’s disadvantaged/ under-served communities?

-   Can you provide examples of where multidisciplinary care is working effectively in a primary health care setting in WA or other jurisdictions?

View the summary notes

Inquiry into the impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia 

Following a referral from the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP, in August, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport commenced an inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia. The Committee will be accepting submissions until 31 December 2024.

Have your say

Have your say on a national approach to preventing suicide 

The Australian Government is calling for feedback on the draft National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The consultation draft of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy is open for comment until 27 October. Feedback can be provided as an individual, organisation or as a collective.  WAPHA is currently preparing a submission.

Have your say

News and media 

Northam Medicare Mental Health Centre official launch 

After opening their doors in July, Northam Medicare Mental Health Centre recently welcomed A/Minister Emma McBride and more than 40 local stakeholders to officially open the centre. 

The centre offers free advice, support and, if needed, assessment and treatment for people with stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges and has been well received by the local community. 

Procurement and contracting  

Register to be notified of upcoming tenders.

Training and events 

Resources

Commissioning policies and procedures 

Commissioned service providers can access WA Primary Health Alliance policies and procedures that your organisation is expected to comply with in one location here. Also, Notifiable Incident Reports are lodged via this webpage.