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Info HomepageHealth providersInfectious diseases A-ZA to Z listing of each disease aimed at GPs, Hospital Doctors and Health Professionals including notifiable diseases hotline number, case definitions, FAQs, Information for Public Health Action and Exclusion times for patients Topics HomepageData and statisticsEpidemiology Epidemiology is the study of distribution and cause of disease and illness at a population level and the application of this study is the control of health problems. Disaster managementThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit oversees WA Health's responsibilities in the application of health resources in a disaster. Disaster operations and logisticsThe operations and logistics portfolio CBR trainingInformation regarding the training of hospital staff in the use of Chemical, Biological and Radiological suits. Disaster response kitsDesignated hospitals have disaster response kits for use by medical teams who deploy to the site of a mass casualty incident. Radio trainingPersonnel that deploy to a mass casualty incident in Chemical, Biological and Radiological suits need to be trained in the operation of handheld radios. Stores and equipmentThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit maintains medical equipment for use in response to mass casualty incidents. Local Government: Preparation and recoveryInformation to assist Local Government, in particular Environmental Health Officers, with preparing for and recovery following natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones Medical ManagementThe Medical Management portfolio Critical infrastructureCritical Infrastructure is infrastructure that, if destroyed, degraded or rendered unavailable for an extended period, will significantly impact on social or economic well being or affect national security or defence.
Health critical infrastructure includes hospitals, public health infrastructure and Research and Development Laboratories. HHCGThe Hospital Health Coordinators Group provides strategic leadership of metropolitan hospitals to support, individually and jointly, their ability to meet respective operational obligations in a major incident or pandemic. National health emergency planning National Health Disaster Management Capability Audits provide a national assessment of health assets that may be employed in a disaster. Planning for emergencies in HCFsAustralian Standard 4083-2010, Planning for emergencies – Health care facilities, assists a health care facility to plan effectively for internal and external emergencies. Service continuityHospitals are required to have plans in place to deal with service continuity disruptions. Where the ability of the hospital to resume/restore services is overwhelmed, the Metropolitan BCP is activated, and coordination of the restoration of some of the hospital’s services is transferred to the DPMU / State Health Incident Coordination Centre. SLIP EMSLIP provides a single, online point-of-entry to the mapping, imagery and location based information held by various government departments. Surge managementSurge management in a hospital refers to the coordination of operations to enable it to respond to a sudden, unexpected increase in patient volume that would otherwise severely challenge or exceed the capabilities of the hospital. WebEOCWebEOC is a web-based crisis information management system. It provides secure real-time information sharing about an incident, enabling staff within an operations centre to improve coordination of a response. Risk management and special eventsThe risk management and special events portfolio Risk managementThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit is responsible for managing risks to the Health of WA. Public eventsThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit represents WA Health on a number of committees involved in the coordination of public events. CHOGMThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit has hired a project officer to manage the WA Health planning for CHOGM. Special Events ExemptionsThe Health Professionals (Special Events Exemption) Act allows visiting health professionals to provide health care services to visitors to Western Australia. Training and developmentThe training and development portfolio MIMMSMajor Incident Medical Management and Support ETSInformation on the Emergo Train System including kits and licensing Specialist coursesThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit facilitates a number of specialist courses including Bombs, Blasts and Bullets, Regional Training, Public Health Course and Chemical, Biological and Radiological course. E-learningThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit has developed an E-learning course aimed at giving emergency responders a basic overview of the principles of emergency management. External coursesInformation on courses run outside of the DPMU that may be relevant to emergency responders. ExercisesThe Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit runs exercises to improve the capacity of the State's health services to respond to emergencies. Disaster management linksA list of useful links and resources related to disaster management in WA WA linksA list of links and documents relevant to disaster management JournalsA list of journals relevant to disaster management Contact usLists contact details for the Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit, On Call Duty Officer for the Department of Health (WA), and other health emergency numbers. Environmental health, food, water and hazardsEnvironmental health food water hazards tobacco control healthy planning and development mosquito and pest control public buildings and mass gatherings water pesticides and chemicals wa perth Insects and pestsMosquito and pest control FleasManagement and control of fleas MosquitoesControl and management of mosquitoes and mosquito borne diseases in WA Rats and rodentsManagement and control of rats and other rodents in the home, business or industries Healthy lifestylesNearly two-thirds of all deaths in Western Australians aged under 75 could potentially be avoided. Most of these deaths are due to chronic disease and injury. TobaccoSmoking is a leading cause of preventable illness and death in Western Australia. It causes heart and circulatory diseases, lung cancer and other cancers, other serious lung disease, and many other diseases and conditions. Nutrition and healthy weightHealthy eating is important for good health, growth and development and protecting against illness and disease. Eating a variety of healthy and nutritious foods can also help people maintain a healthy weight throughout childhood and adulthood. ObesityWhile a small proportion of the population experiences inadequate growth or is underweight, the major concern for the health system is with overweight and obesity. High body mass increases the risk of a number of serious health conditions, particularly type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, asthma and osteoarthritis, and psychosocial problems in childhood. Physical activityParticipating in regular physical activity is important for maintaining healthy body weight and preventing a number of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, dementia and depression. Keeping active also provides a range of additional mental health, social, economic and environmental benefits. Built environmentEnvironments which support good health may do so by promoting healthy and active lifestyle behaviours, by making healthy choices the easier or more attractive choices, and by ensuring equitable access to nutritious food. Good urban design incorporates safe and attractive opportunities for active transport (walking, cycling and public transport) and physical recreation, as well as ready walkable access to schools, local shopping and services, and a range of well-designed housing options. Injury preventionMost injuries are preventable, but injury is common in Western Australia, especially among children and young adults. Injuries are the leading cause of death in people aged under 45. Injuries happen at home, on the roads, in the workplace and while out in the community. Cultural diversityNeither language nor cultural differences should be a barrier to health care. The Department of Health, Western Australia promotes the universal right to health by facilitating effective communication between government health service providers and people with limited or no English. Healthy planning and developmentTools to assist with planning healthy communites in WA including health risk assessment, public health assessment, environmental impact assessment, built environment and climate change and health Aboriginal healthInformation on Aboriginal Health in WA including useful tools and reports for aboriginal health workers Climate change and healthPreparing for the potential impacts associated with climate change and human health in Western Australia. The information includes a Health Impact Assessment on climate change impacts specific to WA. Infectious diseases, sexual health and immunisationDisease guidelines and other publicationsCommunicable Disease Guidelines and publications includes:
• The management of gastroenteritis in aged care facilities
• Communicable disease guidelines for teachers, child care workers, local government authorities and medical practitioners to help prevent transmission of infections in schools and childcare. Infections include notifiable diseases but also diseases such as school sores, hand foot and mouth, conjunctivitis and glandular fever
• Department of Health operational directives and policies for medical and public health practitioners on the intervention, control and prevention of important infections such as sexually transmitted infections, bloodborne viruses, hospital acquired infections such as MRSA, enteric infections and vaccine preventable diseases
Healthcare associated infectionsHealthcare Associated Infection Unit homepage About usAbout us Healthcare Associated Infection Unit CA-MRSAIn recent years virulent strains of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) have emerged in Western Australia. These imported novel strains have characteristics distinct from the endemic WA community MRSA strains which account for approximately 80% of all MRSA detected here.
WA Health has developed guidelines and resources for the management of people who acquire CA-MRSA with the aim of minimising the impact on them and their household contacts, as well as the broader community and healthcare services.
Contact usContact Us Healthcare Associated Infection Unit Key datesKey Dates - Heathcare Associated Infection Unit PolicyPolicy - Healthcare Associated Infections ImmunisationImmunisation is one of the most effective strategies in the prevention of many serious diseases. In order to ensure good uptake of vaccination and a safe level of herd immunity, an effective and efficient strategy for mass vaccination across the state is essential. There are several vaccination programs including, childhood, school, adult and catch-up immunisation. Information can also be found on other non-schedule vaccines, such as rabies. Infectious disease dataInfectious disease data includes:
• Links to case definitions of Western Australia’s notifiable diseases
• Weekly reports of Western Australia’s notifiable diseases reported to the Department of Health
• Quarterly and annual reports of enteric, sexually transmitted and bloodborne virus infections
• Disease WAtch newsletter that provides analysis, expert opinion and hot issues relating to infectious disease control in Western Australia
• Virus Watch bulletin that provides a brief summary of General Practice and Hospital Emergency Department sentinel surveillance data on influenza-like illness, gastroenteritis and varicella-zoster disease, together with relevant laboratory information, to alert health care workers in WA to important circulating viruses Virus WatchThis is a new weekly email from CDCD in collaboration with PathWest which briefly summarises in bullet point form the activity of viruses responsible for ILI, viral gastroenteritis and viral rashes in WA in the previous 8 weeks. It summarises information from a range of sources including SPN(WA), Emergency Department data and laboratory data from PathWest at QEII and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. Virus WAtch is also the vehicle for the distribution of more detailed electronic reports such as Virus News and EDSS News. Disease WatchDisease WAtch is the journal of communicable disease surveillance and news in Western Australia.
InfluenzaInfluenza – The public health objectives for influenza surveillance in Western Australia are to detect increases in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in local rural and regional areas, to monitor the impact of influenza and ILI on public health units by monitoring out patient visits, metropolitan Emergency Department (ED) presentations and admissions, and to follow influenza activity and identify populations that are more susceptible. The public health website also provides information on pandemic influenza, swine flu, bird flu, and avian flu. Sexual health, HIV, hepatitis B and CThe Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program (SHBBVP) coordinates the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus and blood-borne viruses in Western Australia. The main activities undertaken by SHBBVP include; funding community-based organisations to undertake health promotion and prevention activities, initiating and funding education and workforce development initiatives, developing and implementing statewide sexual health and blood-borne viruses policies, managing the statewide needle and syringe program, and coordinating statewide campaigns. Licensing, notifications and legislation Legislation and regulation, new public health act, new public health bill wa Western Australia explantory document licensing approvals registration Legislation Details of public and environmental health related legislation and regulations Licensing, registration and approvals Licensing Aquatic facilities approval Drinking water bulk cartage Drinking water storage materials Wastewater manufactured product Wastewater treatment apparatus Fumigators licence Itinerant food operator Licensing of private healthcare facilitiesThe Licensing and Accreditation Regulatory Unit (LARU) is responsible for the licensing of private healthcare facilities in Western Australia. In order to operate a private healthcare facility you require a licence and to meet standards/guidelines in accordance with legislation. Healthcare facilities include hospitals, day hospitals, renal dialysis facilities, nursing homes, nursing posts and, psychiatric hostels. How to obtain a licenceLicensing of private hospitals is based on government legislation, the Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927. If you operate a facility that meets what is defined as a private hospital in the Act, you need to apply for a licence.
Fees are payable at the time of an application for a new licence and prior to renewal of a licence.
Contact the Licensing Standards and Review Unit to obtain licensing information. What is in the licensing assessment processAn application for a licence is based on the three areas outlined below:
• the suitability of the licence applicant;
• the suitability of the premises for the purpose; and
• the suitability of the arrangements for management, staffing and equipment.
You will need to complete an application form with a declaration to verify your application, and satisfy the Director General that you are able to meet all of these areas before you can be granted a licence for a private hospital. Public submissionsPublic consultation activities within the Public Health Division Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Bill 2011The new Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Bill 2011 exposure draft is now available for stakeholder and public comment.
The new Bill is the proposed replacement legistlation for the current Poisons Act 1964 and Poisons Regulations 1965.
Medicines and poisonsThe Pharmaceutical Services branch provides advice, develops policy and administers regulatory controls for Schedule 8 medicines (S8s), Community program for opioid pharmacotherapy (C-POP), the stimulant regulatory scheme, issues licenses and permits and administers the highly specialised drugs program in Western Australia Drugs of dependence (Schedule 8 medicines)Issues authorisations to prescribe schedule 8 medicines (drugs of dependence) and monitors prescription of schedule 8 medicines from reports received from pharmacy Health consumersA drug of addiction has addictive properties and is commonly referred to as a Schedule 8 drug or narcotic. LinksDrugs of dependence links Licences and permits for medicines and poisonsIssues licences and permits authorising the possession, supply and sale of medicines and poisons Scheduled PoisonsMedicines and Poisons are classified into Schedules based on their level of toxicity and their use. The National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee (NDPSC) make recommendations to determine which Schedule a substance should be included. The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) is the publication containing all scheduled poisons and is adopted by reference in the Poisons Act LinksLicensing and Legislation links Stimulant regulatory schemeAdministers the Stimulant Regulatory Scheme which sets controls on the prescribing and dispensing of stimulant medicines (dexamphetamine and methylphenidate) in Western Australia. Health consumersStimulant medicines are dexamphetamine (DEX) and methylphenidate (METH). Both DEX and METH stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain. METH may be sold under the brand names of Ritalin ®, Concerta ® or Attenta ® and is available in immediate release and sustained release formulations.
LegislationThe legislative support for the Stimulant Regulatory Scheme is provided by the Poisons Regulations 1965 of the Poisons Act 1964. LinksStimulant Regulatory Scheme links Highly specialised drugs (HSD) programAdministers the Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) Program on behalf of the Department of Health, where the Commonwealth Government funds the use of specified expensive medicines through WA public hospitals. Health consumers Highly specialised drugs (HSDs) are also known as Section 100 drugs as the funding arrangements are authorised through Section 100 of the Commonwealth’s National Health Act 1953.
LinksHighly Specialised Drugs Program links Email updates serviceRegister your details to receive email updates from the Pharmaceutical Services Branch
Home The Public Health Division goal is to protect the health of the Western Australian community by promoting health, preventing disease and managing risks. About usAbout the Public Health Division of Western Australia. Part of the Royal Street Divisions of the Department of Health, Western Australia Introduction to Public HealthThe main focus of public health is on prevention and early detection, rather than on clinical care. It looks at the whole population, rather than the individual. In this way, public health complements and works with clinical care. Events and trainingMultimedia presentationsMultimedia presentations for the Western Australian Public Health Division including web video, PowerPoint, PDF slideshows, MP3 and other audio files and their transcripts.
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