Western Victoria Primary Health Network

22/04/2026

Enthusiasm for the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) program shone through at our information and networking event in Ballarat on Tuesday night.

With pharmacists and residential aged care staff attending, it was a valuable opportunity to hear how the ACOP program is delivering big benefits for residents in aged care. Current pharmacists participating in the program, as well as a GP and Nurse Unit Manager from a participating Residential Aged Care Home, shared their experiences. It was an engaging evening with opportunities to discuss issues including what the role of the ACOP involves, medication management issues and managing challenging conversations.

Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) is funded to support the roll out and uptake of ACOP in western Victoria by linking pharmacists and Residential Aged Care Homes together. Find out more, or register your interest to participate, via our website https://westvicphn.com.au/health-professionals/health-topics/aged-care/aged-care-on-site-pharmacist-program/

Pictured below: WVPHN CEO Craig Wilding, Creswick Nursing Home Nurse Unit Manager Loren Phelps, Creswick Nursing Home ACOP Kellie Saunders, Donwood ACOP Neil Petrie , and Creswick GP Dr Anne Harris.

Central Highlands Rural Health Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

08/04/2026

This coming Monday at 12.30pm-1.30pm, in conjunction with Primary Health Tasmania, we are holding a webinar designed for disability support teams, with a focus on improving access to primary care and practical use of the Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) tool. Speakers include Professor Nick Lennox, a Senior Medical Advisor with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and Catherine Mulcahy, a Disability Training Consultant.

You can find more information and register at this link: https://primaryhealthtas.com.au/event/improving-health-outcomes-for-people-with-intellectual-disability/

02/04/2026

Don’t be a bunny 🐰 this Easter long weekend if you or a family member falls sick or needs urgent health care. If your regular GP is not available, there are other after hours care options available. Scroll down for the details.

Note, if you require immediate help for a life-threatening emergency, phone Triple Zero (000) or visit your nearest emergency department.

After Hours Care in western Victoria this weekend:
👩‍⚕️Urgent Care Clinics – for anyone who has an injury or illness considered as serious but not life-threatening. Clinics are open in Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Torquay. To find where they are located, head to https://westvicphn.com.au/for-the-community/improving-access-to-health-care/urgent-and-after-hours-care/
📞1800 MEDICARE – phone 1800 633 422 for the free 24/7 helpline where you can speak to a registered nurse about any health concern. Or go to https://www.1800medicare.gov.au/
🖥️Victorian Virtual Emergency Department – a free statewide service to treat non-life-threatening emergencies. https://www.vved.org.au/

31/03/2026

For National Advance Care Planning Week, Western Victoria Primary Health Network, as part of our Greater Choice Program, helped fund healthcare, community, and residential aged care services across the region to host awareness‑raising events throughout March. Laure Taylor from our Primary Care Projects team attended the recent presentation session at Anam Cara House in Colac. Find out more about our work in aged care from our website: https://westvicphn.com.au/health-professionals/health-topics/aged-care/

Anam Cara House Colac has opened a topic of discussion on how to have an empowered voice in future health decisions.

23/03/2026

In April and May, Western Victoria Primary Health Network will offer General Practices and Allied Health clinics in our region opportunity to complete a Digital Health Self Assessment.

It’s a chance for clinics to check how they are faring with digital health applications and tools while helping us better understand their digital health knowledge and capabilities.

We’ve also organised a series of drop-in information sessions in April for providers and staff to find out more about how to participate and what to expect.

See our website for more details and to register for one of the information sessions.
https://westvicphn.com.au/about-us/latest-news/2026-digital-health-check/

10/03/2026

We’re inviting general practices in western Victoria to participate in an exciting new pilot program to test the use of AI in supporting patients who have experienced heart failure.

The pilot involves using GoShare Voice AI calls to engage with patients who have been recently discharged from hospital after experiencing heart failure. Grants of $1,000 (ex GST) are available for practices to implement the trial.

Expressions of Interest are now being accepted until 20 March. For more information and to apply, see our website https://westvicphn.com.au/about-us/latest-news/eios/goshare-heart-care-pilot/

10/03/2026

National Advance Care Planning Week 2026 in Western Victoria

Every story is unique, and so are your healthcare choices. This Advance Care Planning Week, we celebrate ‘Your story, your choice’.

During the week (16-22 March), through the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care program, we are proudly supporting healthcare, community and residential aged care services, to host awareness-raising events throughout the month of March.

Click the link to find an event near you:
https://westvicphn.com.au/about-us/latest-news/national-advance-care-planning-week-2026-in-western-victoria/

23/02/2026

Feeling down, stressed or overwhelmed?
Phone Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 to connect with local mental health services and supports.
The free phone service is available between 8.30am and 5pm weekdays (except public holidays), or go to the Medicare Mental Health website, 24/7
https://bit.ly/s29-medicare-mental-health

20/02/2026

If you’re an International Medical Graduate working in Australian general practice or a new GP Registrar, we’re holding a Primary Care Essentials Orientation to support you with practical knowledge and professional connections in a welcoming environment.

📢You’ll hear from the RACGP, ACRRM, RWAV, GPRA, and learn more information on a variety of topics relevant to your work. The day will be held at the Goods Shed in Ballarat, and it is a free event for those working in our region.

You can learn more about the day and register on our website: https://shorturl.at/oD4kG

18/02/2026

WVPHN is delighted to have been part of today's opening of the new headspace centre in the heart of Ballarat. Congratulations to Ballarat Community Health on the move to your great new location. As our CEO Craig Wilding said at the opening, WVPHN is a proud supporter of mental health services for people of all ages and has commissioned ten headspace centres across western Victoria thanks to funding from the Australian Government.
If you want to find out more about those centres, head to our website >
https://westvicphn.com.au/health-professionals/health-topics/mental-health-care/headspace/
headspace headspace Ballarat

11/02/2026

Through the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care program, we are inviting applications from services and organisations in the western Victoria region, for one of ten $1500 small grants available to support community awareness-raising as part of National Advance Care Planning Week 2026 (16–22 March). Organisations across western Victoria are invited to deliver community facing events based on the theme of ‘Your story, your choice’. We’re looking for activities that encourage people to share their experiences and decisions, to think, talk and plan for the care they’d want in the future.
Learn more and apply at https://shorturl.at/DDKJl

04/02/2026

Dementia Support Australia (DSA) is holding a free education session for carers who live in and around Warrnambool. In this informative and empowering session, you’ll gain practical information from dementia specialists on changes to mood and behaviour, understanding the diagnosis, caring for your wellbeing and the important resources available to you.
Learn more and register at https://www.dementia.com.au/scde-warrnambool-carers