Building Community-Led Suicide Prevention in Western Sydney
Tackling mental health, suicide and self-harm in Western Sydney needs innovative, community-led approaches. This week, in partnership with The Funding Network (TFN), WentWest launched the Western Sydney Pitch Night. Western Sydney Pitch Night will allocate funds to up to 3 key programs, each focused on locally led collaborations that seek to reduce suicide prevention activity […]
Shape the Future of Western Sydney GP Placements
Now is your chance to have a direct impact on the future of general practice in Western Sydney. The GP Workforce Planning and Prioritisation (WPP) consortium partners for ACT and NSW are reaching out to all GPs, GP Supervisors, GP registrars, Junior Medical Officers and Medical Students in Western Sydney. The goal of the GP […]
Immunisation Bike Competition Success
Immunisation rates for Western Sydney children are steadily rising thanks in part to the annual WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, Immunisation Bike Competition. Latest data, published by the Department of Health and Aged Care, shows the immunisation rate for children 5 years and under increased by 1.42 per cent in the last decade. […]
Unlock a Smarter HealthPathways with Personal Logins
Streamlined, secure access and a personalised experience will be key features of the new HealthPathways system. From Monday 17 March 2025, health professionals must register for a personal login which will provide exclusive access to continuing professional development (CPD) activity tracking and an AI-enhanced Smart Search function. This change will offer a more convenient, secure and personalised experience. […]
Advancing Health Equity: Update on the Western Sydney Citizens’ Assembly
The power of connection, collaboration and culture was showcased in an inspiring talk to the Western Sydney Citizens’ Assembly this month. WentWest’s Gaza Mental Health Response Coordinator, Amal discussed a coordinated effort to support communities affected by the Gaza conflict. Spanning multiple Primary Health Networks (PHNs) and involving collaboration with community leaders and organisations, the […]
Raising Awareness of Ovarian Cancer in February and Beyond
February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a critical time to raise awareness about this condition. In Australia, approximately 1,815 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year1. Unfortunately, due to the vague and often non-specific symptoms, most cases are not diagnosed until the cancer has reached an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging and outcomes […]
Encouraging Stronger Connections: Building Community in Western Sydney
Western Sydney is one of Australia’s most culturally diverse regions, with 58% of residents speaking a non-English language at home1. Almost half of the population were born overseas, and some face challenges in feeling connected to their local communities. As mental wellbeing plays a crucial role in overall health, it’s vital to create spaces where […]
Helping Keep Community Safe During Extreme Heat
Western Sydney is naturally hotter than other areas of Sydney, typically experiencing temperatures 6-10 degrees hotter than the rest of the city. Ongoing development within Western Sydney means that the region experiences a higher urban heat island effect than other parts of Sydney. These conditions combined with exponential population growth mean that our region is […]
Dr Walid Jammal to be Awarded Sidney Sax Medal
On Thursday 26 September 2024, the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association announced that Dr Walid Jammal, Western Sydney GP, will be awarded the 2024 Sidney Sax medal for outstanding contributions to the development and improvement of Australia’s health care system. The Sidney Sax Medal was first awarded by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association in […]
First Mount Druitt Health Care Neighbourhood Networking Event
On Thursday 5 September 2024, we hosted our first Mount Druitt Health Care Neighbourhood networking event at Blacktown International Sports Park. The event successfully expanded the place-based approach which has been applied in the Cumberland region, aiming to provide greater connectivity between local health care providers. On the night, over 70 health professionals, community members […]