In an increasingly disconnected world, staying connected has never been more important and establishing collaborative partnerships across the health system is key to building stronger, healthier communities.
To maintain and foster these important partnerships, WA Primary Health Alliance is proud to announce the continuation of our Health Professionals Network (HPN) partnership with Rural Health West and the Rural Clinical School for a further 12 months, until 31 December 2022.
Now successfully operating in seven regions (Pilbara, Midwest-Gascoyne, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, Kimberley, Goldfields and South-West), regional HPNs represent over 2,000 registered health professionals across WA.
HPNs enable health professionals to connect, share and improve health services by providing a region-based network to collaborate and explore innovative ideas.
Each local HPN is designed to provide rural and remote health professionals with better support, and greater opportunities, including professional and social networking events, educational upskilling sessions and collaboration in a local, supportive community environment. These collegiate groups foster collaborative work and assist the provision of better joined up care. They also reduce professional and social isolation experienced by rural and remote workers.
With rapid changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, HPNs are seen as a valuable link to GPs, nurses, allied health and other health professionals in keeping them informed with up-to-date COVID alerts, webinars and information at a regional level. This includes the amplification of messages, and encouraging social activities in restricted towns to help them remain socially engaged during an outbreak.
Despite the uncertainty of interstate and international travel caused by COVID restrictions, HPNs have provided over 80 local educational and networking events, which were not previously available. By offering health professionals the opportunity to upskill, learn and foster relationships closer to home, HPNs encourage interdisciplinary practice to build stronger, healthier, local communities.
Webinars are a regular feature on the events calendar of each HPN website, and health professionals have access to tools and updates specific to digital health and a diverse range of podcasts.
All health professionals living and working in the regions are invited to join their local Health Professionals Network. To become a member of one of the seven regional Networks, click here or contact Jodie Green, Country Operations Manager North at WA Primary Health Alliance: jodie.green@wapha.org.au.
