North Western Melbourne PHN

12/11/2025

October marks the start of grass pollen season in Victoria. If you’ve ever experienced asthma or if you sneeze and wheeze during spring check in with your GP. If you have seasonal hay fever, speak with your pharmacist about your risk of thunderstorm asthma and learn how to stay safe.

Here’s what you can do to prepare for thunderstorm asthma, to learn more visit: https://go.vic.gov.au/4eQN8pV

23/10/2025

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network’s 2024-25 Annual Report is now available!

This year’s report highlights our continued progress in transforming health care across the region. It showcases the programs and projects we commissioned to meet the evolving needs of our communities, and celebrates the work of our dedicated primary care providers.

Read it here: https://bit.ly/47KvQJd

21/10/2025

STIs are a topic laden with stigma, especially for teenagers.

In order to break through these communication barriers, nurse Ashlea Randle and Dr Balvinder Khaira set up a one-day STI pop-up clinic at Footscray High School last year.

The results were very encouraging, and helped to normalise sexual health as a part of overall wellbeing. Read more about Footscray High School's Doctors in Secondary Schools program, which is funded by the Department of Education, Victoria and led by North Western Melbourne PHN 👇

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a topic laden with stigma, especially for teenagers. In order to break through the communication barriers that often ring-fence the subject, in June 2024 a nurse and general practitioner set up a one-day STI pop-u...

16/10/2025

Practice manager Megan Lay thought that Niddrie Medical’s staff might be interested in learning more about what they could do about family violence.

But even she was moved by the unanimously positive response when she suggested the whole practice undertake the Primary Care Pathways to Safety training offered by North Western Melbourne PHN. Read more 👇

Practice manager Megan Lay thought that Niddrie Medical's staff might be interested in learning more about what they could do about family violence. But even she was moved by the unanimously positive response when she suggested the whole practice undert...

14/10/2025

To help shape its inaugural ‘state of the sector’ research, Mental Health Victoria is asking service providers, the mental health workforce, and community members to provide insights into the current state of mental health in Victoria.

Have your say by Monday, 20 October 2025 👇

Since the release of the final report of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System in 2021, significant energy and investment has b...

02/10/2025

From 2023 to 2025, NWMPHN funded 10 general practices to test new ways of helping people 55+ stay well at home.

The Early Intervention for Healthy Ageing program examined how flexible block funding can complement the existing MBS fee-for-service model. Phase 2 of the program launches this month.

Read more about how Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker health in Hoppers Crossing used the funding to reduce barriers that prevent people from seeking medical care 👇

There is broad agreement within health circles that Medicare's fee for service model is ill-equipped to deal with the rise in chronic disease affecting older Australians. The most efficient way to reduce the impact of chronic disease is to prevent it in...

16/09/2025

NWMPHN commissions eight providers in our region to deliver the Australian Government's 'Care finder' service, which helps older adults understand the aged care system and connect with community support.

Read more about how carers Penny and Sherien are making a difference in the community, by assisting Italo and Vince 👇

Many Australians find themselves in their later years alone and unable to navigate the complex aged care system or find other services they need. To assist them, in January 2023 the Australian Government created care finder services. Care finders provid...

07/08/2025

Fever, stomach pain or vomiting?

If it's not life-threatening, get free help faster by speaking to an emergency doctor or nurse with Virtual Emergency Care.

Find out more about Victoria’s Free Urgent Care Services at urgentcare.vic.gov.au

05/08/2025

Despite seeing physiotherapists, sports physicians and other health professionals, Amanda suffered from debilitating pain for 10 years.

That was until a new GP referred her to Holstep Health's Chronic Pain Service, commissioned by NWMPHN.

The referral changed her life for the better, transforming her pain into a manageable condition that no longer defined her, nor made her feel frustrated and fearful every time she had pain. “Not only has it helped the pain improve but it's helped me feel less stress around it," she says.

Read more about the service 👇

Despite seeing physiotherapists, sports physicians and other health professionals, Amanda suffered from debilitating pain for 10 years before a new GP referred her to Holstep Health's Chronic Pain Service. The referral changed her life for the better, t...

16/07/2025

If found early, over 65% of lung cancer can be successfully treated. Lung cancer screening uses a CT scan of the chest to look for early signs of lung cancer and is expected to save hundreds of lives every year.

If you're aged 50-70, with a smoking history and have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer, you may be eligible for the program.

Speak to your health care provider to find out if you are eligible for the free scan.

Find out more: health.gov.au/nlcsp

07/07/2025

NAIDOC Week (6-13 July) is a time to recognise and celebrate the strength, vision and legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year marks 50 years of NAIDOC – a powerful milestone in honouring the voices, culture and enduring resilience of First Nations communities.

The 2025 theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy', invites us to reflect on the past, celebrate present achievements, and look ahead with hope and responsibility for what’s to come.

Let’s continue to listen, learn and walk together towards a future grounded in truth and justice.

👉 Find out more and explore events near you at naidoc.org.au.

27/06/2025

Respiratory diseases such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 become much more common in winter.

Hear from NWMPHN chief executive, Christopher Carter, on how to protect yourself and your family during the colder months 👇

You don’t seem to hear all that much about COVID-19 these days, but that doesn’t mean it’s yesterday’s problem. Indeed, early in June Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Evelyn Wong, put out a statement revealing the increase in COVID-19 cases between April and May this year was 2.5 times ...