The Cook Government has announced that it will hold a summit in Perth on August 7 to focus on future proofing WA’s frontline health and mental health workforce.
Industry leaders including peak bodies, unions, clinician training colleges and registration bodies will be invited to participate in the summit followed by a series of roundtables focusing in on areas of high need to deliver practical solutions.
Health and Mental Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said that bolstering the State’s health and mental health workforce was a key priority.
“We want to work with stakeholders who all have a lever in the workforce pipeline and the capacity to provide practical and sustainable solutions to the challenges we face today,” she said.
“Undeniably, we all have a collective responsibility, and we want to make sure we have the right mix of staff working in a flexible, safe and supportive environment.”
The summit will complement ongoing recruitment activities already being undertaken by the Department of Health and WA hospitals, including the $28 million Budget allocation for initiatives to attract and retain the health workforce.
“However, this summit will invite industry leaders to collaborate on additional solutions to continue to foster a strong healthcare workforce and entice young people to take up a career in health, especially in the regions,” she said.
In other State Government news, the $4.1 million Collie Health Service’s upgrade has been completed. This was on top of the facility’s $14.7 million spend on an operating theatre that opened in May.
Similarly, the $9.86 million redevelopment of the Dongara Health Centre has been completed, following significant upgrades to the emergency department and the residential aged care facility.
The aged care unit has doubled its residential capacity, and there is a new palliative care suite, Other centre improvements include expanded ambulatory care unit, telehealth, allied health, dental, community and child health services.
The Federal government has announced funding in Northam to boost the availability and convenience of free mental health services for adults in regional WA.
Once operational, Northam Head to Health will provide access to mental health information, services and supports delivered by multidisciplinary care teams over extended hours, without needing a prior appointment, GP referral or cost.
Services will include immediate support and follow-up for people presenting in crisis, as well as short-to-medium term care for people with moderate to severe mental health needs.
The new service will be co-designed with the Northam community over the next 12 months to ensure it provides the right services and supports for people in need, with the Australian Government to provide $3.5 million over four years to the Country WA Primary Health Network to commission the service.
Head to Health services are currently available in Midland and new services in Balga-Mirrabooka, Gosnells and Armadale will also open later this year.