headspace Day 2020
Western Victoria PHN (WVPHN) proudly commissions headspace centres in Ballarat, Geelong, Horsham, Portland and Warrnambool to foster relationships with young people and their natural support networks alongside health professionals to give them mental health support in their local community.
This fifth annual headspace Day (21 October), the focus is on the small steps young people can take every day to support their mental health, recognising that every change starts with a few small steps. WVPHN acknowledges the significant challenges all young western Victorians have faced this year, with new headspace research revealing today that one in two young Australians are struggling to carry out everyday activities. I highly recommend that health professionals and clients alike check out this video by headspace that discusses a range of small steps and tips for young people to maintain their mental health and wellbeing, and also have a listen to their Spotify playlist of songs to improve the mood (search ‘headspacegeelong’).
WVPHN Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2020
Many of you would have received an invitation to WVPHN’s AGM 2020, which will be held via Microsoft Teams at 5.20pm – 6.00pm on Thursday 29 October.
If you have received an invitation and wish to attend, please RSVP via the email as soon as possible. I encourage all WVPHN Members to attend. If you are unsure if you are a WVPHN Member, please ask your Practice Facilitator or email memberships@westvicphn.com.au.
2020 Victorian Rural Health Awards
This year’s Victorian Rural Health Awards recognised the significant role of primary health care professionals in contributing to the health and wellbeing of our Victorian rural communities. On behalf of WVPHN, I would like to congratulate the following health professionals practicing within western Victoria in particular:
2020 Victorian Rural Health Awards Winners
- Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Allied Health Professional: Megan Green – Colac Area Health
- Closing the Gap Award: Dr Edmund Poliness – Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative
- People’s Choice Award: Dr Lesley Cadzow
Length of Service Award Winners
- Dr John Beaumont – Aireys Inlet Medical Centre
- Dr David Cruickshanks – UFS Medical – Sturt Street, Ballarat
- Dr Frank Del Rio – Surf Coast Medical Centre, Torquay
- Dr Dale Ford – Hamilton Medical Group
- Dr Deborah Henty – Ballarat Group Practice – Victoria Street
- Dr Neil Jackson – Civic Medical, Terang
- Dr Paul Malcher – Portarlington Medical Centre
- Dr Barry Reid – Ocean Grove Medical Clinic
WVPHN also congratulates Dr Andrew Cunningham (Stawell), Dr Albert Ip (Daylesford and Trentham), Dr Jonathan Barrell (Daylesford and Trentham), Dr Gerard Ingham (Daylesford), Jason Phieler (Nurse – Lorne) and Vicki Sundblom (Nurse – Daylesford) on their nominations. See the full list of winners and finalists at the RWAV website.
Caring for Adult Patients with post-COVID-19 Conditions
Last week, RACGP in collaboration with WVPHN’s HealthPathways team released a ‘Caring for adult patients with post-COVID-19 conditions’ guide for GPs on providing care to adult patients who have previously tested positive to COVID-19 or have a history suggestive of undiagnosed COVID-19 and have – or are at risk of – post-COVID-19 conditions.
On behalf of the Victorian PHNs, our HealthPathways team has developed the first clinical HealthPathway internationally on the management of post-COVID-19 conditions to coincide with these guidelines. This is another simply remarkable effort by our HealthPathways team, who continue to rapidly respond to clinicians’ needs by continually developing these COVID-19 Pathways. Well done team. Please see the 21 October 2020 edition of Westvic News for more information on the guidelines.
We want to hear from you
Your feedback is important to us.
If you would like to contact us please visit the Contact Us page on our website and fill out the Feedback form or have a chat to your WVPHN Practice Facilitator to help us help you. Email qi@westvicphn.com.au for more information or to find out who is the practice facilitator for your area.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Rowena Clift
Chief Executive Officer