To help improve health outcomes for people living in regional and remote parts of Western Australia, WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) recently travelled to the northern and eastern parts of the Goldfields to connect with local stakeholders.
The trip was coordinated by WAPHA’s Goldfields Regional Integration Manager, Sarah Brown alongside Primary Care Navigator Melissa Hopewell and Quality Improvement Coach Raelene Craft.
Given the size of the Goldfields region, covering approximately a third of WA’s total land mass, the team travelled across six shires and focussed on areas with under-served populations. There was a particular focus on visiting general practices to integrate primary care across areas with access difficulties and inadequate services.
Sarah Brown emphasised the importance of building these connections.
“These road trips are vital for our place-based staff to get out and rub shoulders with those living and breathing in very remote communities who are generally at greater risk of poorer health outcomes and experience health inequities due to limited access to health care.
“We go out and meet them on their patch and listen. Then we use our local knowledge and skillset to try and address these challenges in our roles in a meaningful and honest way – always keeping and maintaining a strong connection with our key stakeholders”.
During their travels, they engaged with four remote solo GP practices and seven larger general practices to provide updates on primary care supports and tips for using Primary Sense and other digital health tools. They also informed practices about local events and WAPHA’s local commissioned services to support those most at risk of poor health outcomes.
To gain a more complete picture and understanding of the region’s needs, the team participated in various meetings and events, including the community-led Goldfields Suicide Prevention Collaborative and Kalgoorlie Seniors Expo. They collaborated with other agencies to form stronger partnerships and hosted two GP-led primary care working group meetings to address chronic conditions service integration and podiatry service shortages in the Northern Goldfields.
This busy but productive road trip was a significant step towards achieving better health outcomes for the Goldfields, demonstrating WAPHA’s commitment to health equity and improving access to health care in remote communities.