SWAMS pick up rural health award

The South West Aboriginal Medical Service has been recognised for its outstanding work in the public health sector at the 2021 WA Rural Health Awards.

The organisation’s Kaart Darabiny ‘What are you thinking?’ Mental Health Team was successful in the Building Healthy Country Communities category at the awards, which were held last month.

The program is designed to support young people at risk and using culture to promote a holistic view on wellness as well as working with clients who have experienced trauma.

Seven doctors from the South West, more than ever before, were also recognised at the ceremony for 40 years of service to rural health.

Mary Collins, Ronald Jewel, Michael Peterkin, Frederik Pretorius, Phil Reid, David Robinson and Allan Walley all received recognition and were thanked for their service by Rural Health West chief executive Tim Shackleton.

“We are extremely pleased to shine a light on the work undertaken by these outstanding health professionals and sincerely thank them on behalf of their patients and the rural communities they serve,” he said.

“While the past 12 months have been challenging for healthcare professionals right across the State, we know country clinicians have been working particularly hard — often managing with smaller cohorts compared to their metropolitan counterparts,” he said.