Investing in Allied Health Assistants is important

East Grampians Health Service hosted the Western Victoria Allied Health Assistant Network and Professional Development Event in Ararat.

The event brought together Allied Health Assistants from across Western Victoria for a day of networking, shared learning and professional development.

Allied Health Assistants are a vital part of the healthcare workforce, working alongside allied health professionals to help people maintain their independence, improve their health and wellbeing, and achieve their rehabilitation goals. Working across hospitals, community health and aged care settings, they play an important role in supporting positive patient outcomes and improving access to care, particularly in rural and regional communities.

Allied Health Assistants attended from East Grampians Health Service, Grampians Health, Rural Northwest Health, West Wimmera Health Service, Western District Health Service, Beaufort and Skipton Health Service, East Wimmera Health Service, Central Highlands Rural Health, and Maryborough District Health Service.

The day highlighted the important role Allied Health Assistants play in supporting patients, allied health professionals and rural health services.

Attendees participated in practical professional development sessions across areas including mental health, diabetes first aid, gait aids, speech pathology, occupational therapy and podiatry.

Guest speaker Professor Lorimer Moseley presented the Explain Pain session and provided an overview of current understandings of pain.

Mr Moseley also outlined his current project focused on raising awareness of chronic pain. Attendees were encouraged to visit the project website, which is designed for people experiencing pain, friends and family of people with chronic pain, and health professionals. The website can be found at: https://www.rethinkpain.org.au/

Host of the event, EGHS Clinical Allied Health Educator, Jake Romein, presented on allied health career pathways and a Western Victoria ‘grow your own’ workforce strategy, focusing on how local people can be supported to study, train, work and progress in allied health careers locally.

“EGHS was pleased to host the event and support continued collaboration between Allied Health Assistants and health services across Western Victoria,” Mr Romein said.

“The day reinforced the value of investing in Allied Health Assistants as a critical part of the rural health workforce.

“The event also provided an opportunity for services to connect, share ideas and discuss the future direction of the regional AHA network.”